I think the biggest thing to keep in mind that this is a perfectly MASSIVE story.
You can do loads more with words than with film.
And with film you're limited by imagery references. Some things just will not work.
Case in point: Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter series. Thoats are supposed...
I loved Ella Enchanted and read my copy so many times the cover fell off.
The film with Anne Hathaway was AWFUL.
To each their own and it doesn't make you a bad fan! I agree about not gatekeeping but other than that you are perfectly fine with not liking an adaptation!