I read the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings when I was about 12. They've been my favorite books ever since. I watched the movies and enjoyed them. The characters and visuals didn't clash too much with my imagination. I avoid rewatching them though, preferring to wait until my next read to refresh the story in my head.
Such great books...I've read a lot in my 52 years, but nothing has endured like LOTR.