As someone that's earliest memories are of watching Lotr, I have learned to like the hobbit movies, and look forward to the next.
But even as I read more of the books, I still oh a lot to the movies. When I was kid playing outside, I killed uruk kai.
As for my elder brother jeremy, he has always been more of a fan of the original star wars trilogy. He was born in 92, so he had 7 years of enjoying those before episode one came out. (1999 right?)
I didn't truly grow up with the second trilogy, since my brother's toys were all that of the original trilogy.
Though I have always loved Ewan mcgregor's obi wan since I was little.