Well i bought it today like i said and watched it - first time I have seen it and I was bored to tears. I'm glad I didnt wait for the extended version - this was way long enough.
Now let me be clear, I do not doubt the quality fo the film making, or the excellent acting, its just that when reading a book you can put it down between chapters, but the film seems to go on and on and on.
Glad I go tthe dvd though because I'm interested in how it was made and all the extras. (It even has a "whats on the extended version" bit heheeh)