It's been a good 4 years since I read the book, and then I never really paid much attention to it. It was a book I had to read for school, and no one ever pays attention to books you have to read for school
I think both are great, though.
The book forces you to use your imagination and see characters like Legolas, Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, Aragone, the whole crew. It allows you to imagine yourself in the charaters' place. It gives you artistic freedom to be Frodo one moment, the Gandalf the next (especially when he fought Balrog). You also get the uncut majesty of what the author wanted you see, hear, smell,
think. When the Ring Wraiths chased the Hobbits, YOU felt the fear along with them.
The movie adds a whole new dimension. Instead of trying to muddle your way through Tolkien's wording (
Hobbit has been called "too wordy" by my bookwork brother, who thrives on description in his books), you are allowed to get caught up in the actual actions. To see the elves in actuality was a thrill. I love elves as characters. To see them walking and talking was great.
You asking me to choose is bad! Naughty even! Ask an easy question next time!