Naruto = kickass.
While there are 2 or 3 battles that last more than one episode a la DBZ, the show is pretty great. To me, its everything I've ever wanted in a ninja show; it takes what is cool about ninjas and expands on the ninja mythos in exciting ways. As far as the characters go, they don't seem to be any more shallow than typical anime characters. When the characters reflect on their pain, I don't know about anyone else but I couldn't help but feel pity for a lot of them. Seeing them overcome their emotional hurdles and kick ass along the way makes me feel like I did when I first started watching anime, or the first time I saw Robotech/Macross. Its got style. I highly recommend this show to anyone, a LOT of people love the show so if you're looking for something that you can brag to other anime nerds about seeing, then look elsewhere. But if you want a show that is a hell of a lot of fun to watch and pretty much anyone can get into, check it out.
Plus, Itachi is a badass.
PS- Read the manga too!
PPS- I don't like DBZ either, but fans of DBZ would probably like it too. Besides, who doesn't like watchin cool fights?