Read the book just once, a few years back, so I don’t remember many of the details—but I do remember that I didn’t go on and read any of the other books because I was so sick of the characters by the end. ;) My impression of the movie is a lot better than my memory of the book, but this probably has something to do with Sam Elliott’s presence, the voice of Ian McKellen as Ioric, the on-screen cuteness of various characters, including Pantalaimon, and the fact that I didn’t have to read the sometimes insipid narrative and dialogue. Not the most coherent movie ever, but at least it makes more sense than Dragon Wars, and it’ll do for a fantasy fix if you can stand the “it’s all about the kids” plotline. The costumes were worth a look, too, and the soundtrack was nondescript to pretty good.