film: review

> THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002)
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By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Christopher Lee

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Written by: J.R.R. Tolkien (novel)
Frances Walsh (screenplay)

Genre: Fantasy

Our Rating: 10 out of 10

At this point in the series, the Lord of the Rings films have already easily surpassed the expectations that many had in director Peter Jackson's venture to adapt them. No one thinks of the big risks now because everyone is filthy rich! Again, I haven't read the books, but damn this story is obviously one of epic scale. If you wanted one word to describe the big battle and film in general, "epic" pretty much sums The Two Towers up. The story starts right where The Fellowship left off, even giving us some flashbacks (although at the lengthy run-time is that really necessary) and ends just as abruptly as the first. The ending of Fellowship annoyed me, but I have been thinking, since I will be buying up each of the 4 disc sets, I don't really care about that anymore.

If you saw the first one, you automatically must see every part after it (because who didn't like the first one!?), and you will not be disappointed here! One other item of note, aside from the fact that this movie totally rocks (think Braveheart meets Fellowship); the CGI character Gollum is the best I have ever seen. He shows emotion better than you could ever imagine from a creation of this kind. And he makes it even easier to forget Jar Jar. Hats off to the team that spent years bringing him to the screen! Bring on Return of the King!

(03-0108)

related links:

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - official site