Children can appreciate the Lord of the Rings. Intelligent minds can. I think it is important to read books like LotR, it boosts your thinking ability.
I read the books last year, at the age of 19, and read them to my twelve years old brother. He loved, and understood them. He's planning to make me read again for him.
I think it's movies, that show lots of "negative" stuff, while books have their own charm and morals.