I'm actually more excited for the novelization...book
I just want to know what happens. I already know the film will look beautiful, I already know the acting will be questionable, and I already know I'll love every minute of it.
The book will have all the questions answered, will expound upon characters' thoughts and motivations (something thats sometimes confusing in the films since they seem over-edited/badly written IMO), and it comes out before the movie!
I don't really compare the story to the visuals as far as SW is concerned. They dont seem to apply to one another all that much. Besides, reading the story first can NEVER prepare you for the awesome visuals that the films always deliver.
I don't see reading the book first as spoiling anything, rather like preparing me for the convoluted story I'm going to have to sit through and try to peice together...which I guess is half the fun.