Neon Genesis Evangelion Forum

I didn't really get into anime and manga until after Evangelion and until like a year or two ago I didn't really know what it was. some of my friends who have seen it say it's kinda messed up and that I wouldn't be missing much if I didn't watch it. But I am intrigued by it so I was wondering if I do decide to get into Eva, where should I start and what should I watch/read. Should I read the manga (if I can find it), jump into the anime, what? 

I'd go straight to the show or start with the 1.x movie (it's just the first few episodes but in HD) and then jump to episode 5 or 6 and continue watch the series from there.