Customer Reviews

The Lord of the Rings-The Two Towers(Widescreen)

5 star:		(818)
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2 star:		(44)
1 star:		(56)

 

 

It's hard to know where to begin in articulating a coherent summary of so spectacular an epic as Peter Jackson's rendering of Tolkein's masterpiece. Perhaps the most incisive comment I can make is that, having been a fan of "The Lord of the Rings" since I first read the trilogy nearly 35 years ago, I'm impressed by Jackson's fidelity to the spirit of the original literary work.

"The Two Towers" is a very different kind of film than its predecessor. Don't expect the intimacy of "The Fellowship of the Ring"; the evolution of the story precludes it. The dissolution of the Fellowship scattered the principal characters of the first film into three distinct sub-plots: Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd), whose capture by the Uruk-Hai takes them into Fangorn Forest and their ultimate influence on the fate of Saruman (Christopher Lee); Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), who re-unite with a resurrected Gandalf (Ian McKellan) in the climactic battle of Helm's Deep; and Frodo (Elijah Wood) & Sam (Sean Astin), who continue their quest to destroy the Ring at Orodruin (ably played by Mount Doom) in Mordor. That's a lot of threads to weave into the overall tapestry of the story, and it necessarily calls for some fairly abrupt and rapid scene changes. The action is so fast-paced that you will barely have time to catch your breath.

One of the most personally meaningful aspects of the film -- and so far, it has been true of both "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" -- is Jackson's uncompromising adherence to Tolkein's vision of the timelessness of the story itself. The author was determined NOT to write a story that served as an allegory for any of the current events of his time, but rather hoped to address much broader issues that are rooted in the fundamentals of human nature. In so doing, the trilogy has remained relevant to the human condition in a way that transcends nationalities, ethnicities, and the various idiosyncratic cultural zeitgeists of any of the historical periods it has spanned. I find real personal relevance in Aragorn's struggle with his own destiny. It's not a predetermined kind of destiny, as in "fate", but rather the self-determined destiny of one who follows his heart and his own integrity. Ditto for Eowyn (Miranda Otto), whose struggle to fulfill her desire for valor in the service of good is established in "The Two Towers", and will culminate in the final installment, "The Return of the King".

But Jackson's triumph runs much deeper than his artistry in character development; many great films share that characteristic. It is his mastery in the use of surpassing technological innovation as an aid in the storytelling rather than as an end in itself that raises the bar for all subsequent films. His combination of digital, fabricated, and natural scenery in creating the world of Middle Earth is simply breathtaking. The battle scenes are terrifying without being overwhelming in their reliance on gratuitous violence or gruesome bloodshed. [I will allow my daughters (8 and 12 years of age) to watch the films, and I am probably more protective of their sensibilities than most parents I know.] And Jackson's creation of the creature Gollum (Andy Serkis) is without equal or precedent in filmmaking history. Gollum is more than simply "believable"; he is real. His role in the story is pivotal, and it was Jackson's test of fire to create an all-digital character whose range of expression and movement could carry such an important part in the story. It is a masterpiece of moviemaking art.

It will seem incomprehensible to the uninitiated that my only lament about the three-hour film is that it is too short. That's hardly a criticism, for Jackson has included everything that is relevant to the story line in setting the stage for the trilogy's climax in the third film. As a matter of practicality, the film can't exceed three hours for simple economic reasons. A longer film would mean fewer showings -- not good for the profitability of movie theatres -- or a higher price of admission, which would not be popular with moviegoers. So, the filmmaker has had to accommodate those constraints, and I believe it's a job well done.

Still, it's inevitable that one who has read the book will find discrepancies or omissions in the film, but that's not the basis of my wish that the film were longer. Rather, it's more a matter of being sorry that it was over at the end. "The Two Towers" is so captivating, so utterly engrossing a film-watching experience, that I found myself wanting more. What better statement could one make about the success of the filmmaker who wants his customers to come back for the third and final part of this epic trilogy? The consolation to those who want more will undoubtedly be in the release of the special edition DVD, which -- like its counterpart for "The Fellowship..." -- will add significant additional footage to the theatrical version.

Finally, for all the unparalleled technological excellence of the film, the most compelling reason of all to see it is the story itself. If you love great movies crafted by professionals with vision who tell a remarkable story exceedingly well, you simply must see "The Lord of the Rings". It's clear that the trilogy has found a special place in moviegoers' hearts. I saw "The Two Towers" at Edwards Cinema in Brea, California at a matinee showing on December 23, 2002, in a full-house audience of people of all ages. When the initial title "The Lord of the Rings" appeared on the screen, the audience spontaneously burst into applause. I have never seen that happen at any movie I have ever attended, and for good reason - there has never been a movie like this before.

Peter Jackson has done what could not be done. Deemed unfilmable for decades (with the terrible cartoons as an example of why), "The Lord of the Rings" took the audiences by storm when "Fellowship of the Ring" premiered in 2001. In 2002, anticipation was even higher, dread was lower -- and "Two Towers" is an outstanding continuation of the epic fantasy tale.

The movie picks up where "Fellowship" left off: Merry and Pippin have been captured by Uruk-hai, and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are pursuing them. But they are sidetracked by an old friend: Gandalf, returned in a new form and with new powers, as Gandalf the White. He takes them to the kingdom of Rohan, whose king is bewitched by the evil Saruman. They barricade the people of Rohan in the fortress of Helm's Deep, for a final defiant stand against an army of Uruk-hai.

Sam and Frodo have left, to venture into Mordor alone so that Frodo can destroy the Ring in Mordor's Mount Doom. When the two hobbits become lost in Emyn Muil, Frodo realizes that someone is following them: Gollum, the tormented, twisted former owner of the Ring. They capture Gollum, who swears to serve "the master of the Precious." But even Gollum's shaky allegiance isn't enough for them to succeed, because the Ring has started to bend Frodo to its will.

While the first movie revolved around Frodo, the Ring and the Fellowship, here the focus widens. We get a better sense of the epic quality of the story and how it affects the whole world, not just our heroes. Gondor is crumbling, Rohan is beaten down by orcs, and even the forces of nature -- the tree-like ents -- are being attacked by Sauron and Saruman. It's nature versus the destructive machines, and the wild wrecking of Saruman's forges by these ancient tree shepherds is something to cheer for.

Elijah Wood blossoms in this film as Frodo Baggins, the little hobbit who could. In the first movie Wood played Frodo as an innocent who loses his innocence; here he takes it a step further, showing the darkness and violence that are swallowing Frodo up. Because we saw what a bright, sweet person Frodo was before, it's all the more horrible to see him starting to slide down (even attacking his best friend -- the look on Frodo's face as he comes to his senses is stunning). Sean Astin perfectly embodies Sam Gamgee -- increasingly desperate, trying to keep Frodo from going under. He serves as a reminder of what Frodo is fighting for, and Astin has perhaps the most powerful lines of the film, near the end: "But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer." These simply-worded lines will bring tears to your eyes.

But if Frodo is just starting to be addicted, Gollum is a junkie. Even if Andy Serkis doesn't appear in one frame in the entire movie, his motions and voice are heard and seen behind an exquisitely detailed CGI puppet. This is no Jar Jar or Dobby -- Gollum is detailed down to the last hair and wrinkle, believable in his appearance (I actually forgot he was animated for most of the movie), and has a multifaceted personality that reflects his own inner struggle -- Smeagol and Gollum, good and evil. The scene where Gollum's two halves argue is too amazing for words.

The other supporting actors shine almost as brightly. Viggo Mortensen turns his reluctant hero Aragorn into a leader and a warrior. Ian McKellen manages to make Gandalf more stately and majestic, yet keeps that little grandfatherly twinkle. John Rhys-Davies provides a bit of comedy as Gimli, mostly related to Gimli's stature, but never loses his dignity; Orlando Bloom is outstanding as ethereal elf archer Legolas once again. Liv Tyler captures Arwen's fear of mortality and loneliness. Billy Boyd's Pippin and Dominic Monaghan's Merry, the well-meaning goofballs of "Fellowship," are now forced to make their own decisions. And new cast members Miranda Otto and Bernard Hill also shine as the strong-willed Eowyn and tough old king Theoden, in roles that will bloom further in the third film.

Peter Jackson (who makes a few cameos) once again outdoes himself with camerawork and direction. His cameras as like living things: they swoop, dive, pull back for outstanding combat shots and then zoom in for exquisite close-ups. The battle scenes are dark, bloody, explosive, and full of chaos; only near the finale does any hint of glory shine through. He adds little human touches (the family split up by the war) that give a glimpse of what the non-heroic, ordinary people are suffering.

Of course "Two Towers" isn't as good as the book. Few movies are. But taken purely as a cinematic experience, and an adaptation, "Two Towers" is virtually without peer. Epic, majestic, action-packed and brimming with pathos, this is a treasure. And they say "Return of the King" will be the best of all...

I loved every minute of this awesome masterpiece of cinematography. There, I've said it all up front and I make no apologies. Let's be honest, Jackson had the best of all stories to work with. The movie was never going to fail on story line, it was only doomed if Jackson couldn't pull off the monumental task of transposing the epic trilogy to the big screen while doing justice to the sumptuous splendour of Tolkein's book. The Two Towers revolves around the Battle of Helms Deep. A battle that ranks in my humble opinion as one of the most inspiring in cinematic history. Certainly it is 90% CGI, but that is mainstream cinema these days and it is accepted by this reviewer, who still appreciates old-fashioned moviemaking. The Battle of Helms Deep ranks with me as my all-time favourite movie battle, co-equal with the battle-scenes in the epic movie `The Battle of Waterloo' (...) and `Saving Private Ryan'. If the `Battle of Helms Deep' was spectacular then the creature Gollum was nothing short of brilliant. This is CGI gone mega-marvellous. Gollum left me gob-smacked. The creators at Weta Productions have set a benchmark here that leaves other notables fumbling for their keyboards and mice. Nothing George Lucas has ever done (and I am a great Star Wars fan) comes close to this wizardry. It's worth the price of admission just to see Gollum. Dare I repeat myself but I admire everything about the Two Towers. The great scenery, the story, the costumes, the creatures, the action. They form the ingredients for a feast that we savour for three swashbuckling hours. Let's dispense with the negatives. Sure the move is not absolutely true to the book. But there isn't a director on the planet that could have captured the whole story in just over three hours. Some things had to miss out, and I'm sure that was one of the tougher parts of the production, deciding what doesn't make the final cut. The ending was a big call, and readers of the book will know what I am talking about. I've no complaints, only elated anticipation for the third in the trilogy. And that's where I will end. Not only have we been given something truly special again. It's only the second instalment. I've got another eleven months to savour The Two Towers and my mouth is already watering for the third and final feature. Glorious, just glorious. Five stars just isn't good enough, take five galaxies Peter Jackson.

*Spoilers Ahead* - though being the second most read book of the 20th century, it shouldn't spoil much for many.

I went into the second movie with very high expectations, and I think with good reason. Peter Jackson did an amazing job with the first film, and as far as effects, the second film does not disappoint, with a couple small exceptions. The aspects that I was not as pleased with were major story changes and pacing.

In Fellowship, I was most irritated by Arwen's role increase, particularly as I am not a Liv Tyler fan. In Towers, there are a lot more serious changes that, I feel, dramatically alter Tolkien's work.

My criticism:

- The army of Elves does not march to Helm's Deep to help. The "Last Alliance of Men and Elves" was just that - the LAST. This is a MAJOR change. Tolkien's Elves were done interfering in the world of men.
- Eomer and his Riders do not come to help as late as they do - the forest moves in at dawn. That is the aid that Gandalf brings. The orcs disappear in the trees.
- The Ents make the decision at Entmoot to go to war. It's not the Hobbits' doing at all.
- Faramir is not tempted by the Ring. He does not make Frodo go to Osgiliath. He gives them provisions and helps them on their way. The point in the book is that he's the opposite of Boromir.
- I wish that another actor voiced Treebeard, as there is one cut that goes from Gimli to Treebeard and you can tell it's the same voice.
- The movie ends short of the mark. The last line in the book is "Frodo was alive, but taken by the enemy." The movie ends before Shelob's Lair.
- The whole Saruman possessing King Theoden was a little over the top. I sincerely doubt Tolkien meant anything about actual spiritual possession.
- Frodo's fall into the Dead Marshes was a little overblown as far as the effects. It seemed amateurish compared to other effects in the films.
- The other effects problem I referred to earlier are the shots of Merry and Pippin walking with Treebeard; you can really tell that a blue screen was used.
- Gimli was made into a joke. He didn't have a serious line in the film. And did they really need to bring Dwarf-tossing back into it?

The good stuff:

- Gollum was well done. I was happy with his animation and with the personality conflict that showed through.
- The Nazgul steeds were also well imagined, as it's not the clearest of descriptions in the text.
- Lots of good Legolas action - especially the mount onto the horse - you'll see what I mean.
- Music was excellent. Kudos to Howard Shore yet again.
- Great battle sequences at Helm's Deep.
- There are others, but I'm much more irritated right now then impressed, so I'm not remembering them all.

Overall, it was good but unsettling. It starts fast, but slows, then quickens, then doesn't have a main pace. It doesn't have near the character development that the first film had - and, of course, shouldn't need it, as many have already been established. But it feels like something is missing - that connection you had with the characters in the first film just wasn't there. This is a very difficult book to adapt, and I don't begrudge them the job. I just expected it to be truer to Tolkien's vision.

Of course, you really must see it regardless. It's beautiful and still the best anyone's ever done with the story. I greatly look forward to the Extended DVD and Peter Jackson's explanation of these story changes.

The plot of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings novels has already proven itself over time - in this trilogy of movies by director Peter Jackson it just needed to be brought successfully to the screen. The second installment of the series, `The Two Towers', at least equals and perhaps even surpasses `The Fellowship of the Ring.' The two highlights in my view were firstly the incredible portrayal of Gollum, both his internal turmoil as well as his wretched creature-like body (with the brilliant help of CGI technology); and secondly the epic battle of Helm's Deep that concluded the movie with a cast of thousands. Unlike the first movie, overall the tone is darker and there is significantly more violence and action, but not with a focus on gory instead of glory. Thankfully it does not degenerate to the distasteful gore and gratuitous bloody violence that marks much contemporary action movies. Other memorable aspects were the majestic New Zealand scenery, and the portrayal of an overwhelming sense of evil in connection with the forces of Sauron and Saruman.

It is only to be expected that some changes need to be made to the plot in order to condense an epic story into just three hours. However I was disappointed that unlike the first movie, Jackson appears to have made some adjustments to Tolkien's original that were simply unnecessary and unjustifiable, particularly the antagonism of Faramir, the portrayal of the Ents, as well as the incorporation of some extra drama involving Aragorn at the end of a battle, and the infusion of too much romance not present in the original. You don't need to be a Tolkien purist to find these kind of unnecessary changes somewhat annoying.

But once one gets over the initial shock of the adjustments to Tolkien, this is still a brilliant movie. The setting of Middle Earth, along with its characters and epic war really comes alive. This may be fantasy, but the choices and struggles are very human and very real. Perhaps this is most obvious with Sam's wise words at the end: "There's some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for." This is as true for real life as it is for Tolkien's world. It's also true of the movie itself: in a world of cinematic garbage, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings show that there is still some good left in this world, and these are movies worth fighting for. -GODLY GADFLY

When I love a film this much, it is difficult for me to write a review. I'm afraid I'll lose my perspective and not be able to see the film for what it is. So, I made sure that I saw "The Twin Towers" twice in theaters, and was lucky enough to live in a city where the second showing was the IMAX version. As you can imagine, that was totally mind-blowing!


A fan of Tolkien for the last 35 years, I was unafraid of the changes that director Peter Jackson would need to make to continue the story line without burdening it with too many characters. Anxious to see how he handled the split of the fellowship and its parallel plots, I felt that this was one of the strongest elements of the film! Each of the three plots had a sense of urgency, clear transitions existed between them, and, although the support of the Rohan and the Battle for Helm's Deep far outweighed the progress of Frodo and the journey of Merry, Pippin and the Ents, Jackson kept us riveted in all three. Many Tolkien loyalists have taken the changes, especially those involving Faramir, as a departure from what Tolkien originally intended. In contrast, I believe that Jackson and the screenwriters did a masterful job of simplifying, maintaining the good vs. evil theme, and keeping the pace of the movie on target. There are no plot changes that subtracted from the overall thrill of the film experience for me.


There is no question that the cinematography, costumes, compelling and sweeping vistas of the vast plain of Middle Earth don't take a back seat to characterization and plot in the movie. The overall visual experience is one of startled wonder, especially the capture of the gloom and fearfulness of Mordor and the evil that has overtaken Isengard. The music is a perfect counterpoint to the visual senses. Jackson allows his cast of strong players to once again assume their roles, but no one or group of characters, no plot line, no special effects outbalance the setting. It feels as though we are again watching the same genius that compelled George Lucas, when he made his "middle" or "bridge" piece (The Empire Strikes Back) the best of his film trilogy so many years ago. For me, the success of this film revolved around three startling elements:


1. Gollum. Gollum is a masterwork, in a film year that has seen some rapid developments and successes in computer aided special effects. Gollum, in the work of Tolkien, is the central force, a character that embodies the elements of good and evil in his life and in his actions. In the book, the dual characterization of Gollum (evil) vs. Smeagle (good) is difficult to follow, through their discourse. When the visualization is added on film, with a masterful voice (and, I'm told, a huge contribution to the special effects through his own body language) by Andy Smerkis, the character of Gollum (as evil as we know him to be) and the misguided creature befriended by Frodo meld their elements successfully. To say that Gollum is brought to life in a believable, charismatic way, is to understate how brilliantly the character worked on film.


2. The Battle for Helm's Deep. Never has a powerful and evil enemy come to life on the screen in the way that Jackson portray's Saruman's army. The sense of doom that permeates the stronghold of Helm's Deep is felt throughout the audience. The reliance of the world of men on the impermeability of the Helm's Deep fortress is put to the test, and Jackson gives us nearly an hour of incredibly intense battle, punctuated with views of the women and children trapped in the fortress. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas all play their roles perfectly in the height of battle, and the viewer is locked to the edge of their seats with every passing moment.


3. For me, the signature moment of the film is the white light arrival of Gandalf on the magnificent steed Shadowfax. With me, the theater audience cheered and clapped...the instant that he is seen by Aragorn, the surge of feeling and power felt on the screen in that second, will stay with me for a long time.


I think there are no words left to say that won't duplicate what I've already said - 5 stars only because 6 were not available...The Two Towers is a work of breathtaking achievement!

The Two Towers is the second instalment in the LOTR trilogy of the Tolkien classic. The story continues with the quest in the first movie, but it just gets darker. The first movie we saw the light and the dark in a very discreet manner, but in Two Towers, everyone is in the state of internal struggling. Gollum, the CG character acted by a real actor has more coverage in this second movie and the description of its struggling between the good and the evil is very vivid and heart throbbing. Peter Jackson surely has put in a lot of effort to bring Gollum to life. Frodo is now struggling with the ring that he bears. His mission is to destroy the ring in the fires of Mordor, but at the same time the ring is fighting its will to survive by trying to get control of the ring bearer and seduce him to the dark side. Elijah Wood gave a promising performance as Frodo, though Aragon and Legolas might still be stealing the show a bit. Aragon is now facing the dilemmas of yielding himself to the fate or grip hold to his heart?s resistance. He still chose to fight, but try to avoid the fate as the heir to the incomplete mission of destroying the evil. Legolas tasted the death of his elvish allies and fought with pain in the battle. Viggo Mortensen and Orlando Bloom once again brought these two characters into real life. We can feel the existence of these roles through them. Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchette and Hugo Weaving all have short appearances in this second movie, in which they were not originally in the book. Their parts are mainly to finish off the unfunished plot in the first movie, so that the two movies would be weaved together in a tighter manner. Miranda Otto?s did well as Eowyn the human princess. Her hidden emotions for Aragon were well expressed. Despite she knows that Aragon?s heart is with Arwen, she still tried to do her best to care for Aragon, without the expectation of getting anything in return. She is a well done character but could be sterner and strong, for this was one of the major differences between Arwen and Ewoyn that made Aragon feels something for Eowyn. David Wenham as Faramir did not really receive a lot of attention in the movie, but he is a well known Australian actor, so he could probably receive more attention in Australia with his good performance as Faramir. Without doubt, Ian McKellen gave a spectacular performance as Gandalf the White and it is just an icon of the whole saga. People would expect and enjoy his company throughout the movie. Christopher Lee as Sauraman did not have as much part as the first movie, but it is a good break and wash away form his similar and confusing role as Count Dukoo in Episode II of the Star Wars saga.

One thing to be mentioned is that the story of the second movie has quite a bit of change in the plot. Die hard Tolkien fans might find this a bit offended. Basically the whole story is still there, the plot is the same plot, but in some of the details, things were swapped around to produce a more dramatic effect on the movie screen. The whole movie was really well done, and it seems it is more breathtaking than the first movie. However, if people are looking for a real original reproduction on the screen, that could be disappointing for them. The special effects are great and the sceneries are spectacular. No wonder why in my friend?s recent trip to New Zealand, they actually brought them to the location of the movie.

This is definitely a good choice for all movie goers, no matter you have read the book or not.

Look, the movie's great, but remember what happened last
year with LotR: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING! There was one
release in the summer, with some extras, and a Christmas
release of a deluxe edition with audio commentaries and
other desirable features.

Order if you must, but be prepared for a much more
feature-packed DVD to appear in a few months.
If I need to see THE TWO TOWERS before then,
I'll rent.

Plenty of people have criticized Peter Jackson's The Two Towers movie because there are so many departures from the book, far more than in The Fellowship of the Ring. As a Tolkien fan for over thirty years, I too was dismayed at first by such interpolations as Aragorn's flirtatious moment with Eowyn over dwarf beards, or the repeated playing off of Gimli the Dwarf as the butt of numerous jokes. But then I came to realize that any written work, even one so sumptuous as The Lord of the Rings, faces numerous difficulties in translation to the screen, and that in Peter Jackson and his team, Tolkien's masterpiece has been fortunate indeed.

The Two Towers is an extremely complicated work to film, split as it is between two different journeys, that of Frodo with Sam to Mordor and secondly the tangled stories of the remainder of the Fellowship. In the movie the scene shifts back and forth, sometimes rather abruptly, but in the end it smoothly finishes off at real turning points for all the characters. The settings are magnificent: the plains of Rohan, the tower of Orthanc, the deadly approaches to Mordor, Fangorn Forest, and the ravaged garden of Ithilien. The action fits the settings: huge battles and world changing decisions. The cast fits as well, most of the familiar characters from The Fellowship of the Ring return of course, but there are many new faces, among the most appealing being Theoden King of Rohan and his nephew and niece Eomer and Eowyn. As in The Fellowship of the Ring, some of the most emotional moments come when Tolkien's own words are used, my favorite being the final scenes when Sam and Frodo laugh about the tale of Frodo and the Ring and Samwise the Brave. That emphasizes how fortunate the books were to have been filmed by a group of true Tolkien lovers.

The DVD contains quite a bit of interesting additional material on the making of the film, plus a peek at The Return of the King and another peek at the Extended Version, which will contain about 40 more minutes of material. This last feature is truly fascinating, with hints of additional scenes of Pippin and Merry with Treebeard, among others. But even if the only thing you watch is the theatrical release itself, this DVD is well worth the price!

"Lord of the rings: the Two towers" is undeniably the number one film of 2002. It's an awe-inspiring fantasy. The savagery of warfare and the presence of fatality being imagined with such sumptuousness haven't been this good in a long time. The beautiful cinematography is bound to impress you. The movie does get a little slow around the middle when Aragorn dreams of Arwen but the movie soon paces up quickly. Despite the fact that the movie isn't as hearty as the first one (Fellowship of the rings), this sequel is even better. The suspense, battling the Orcs, and the visual pleasure of the eye-catching landscapes is all wonderful. The movie even has the soothing score to fit the scenes making the scenes perfectly in the mood of the movie. The movie is a mind-blowing, mind-boggling masterpiece of a mess! The Two towers is the middle third of an epic that will doubtlessly excel as one of the most courageous and victorious films in motion-picture history. It's an epic of grandeur. Spectacular, thrilling, and significantly touching, it's the very description of heroic adventure. It has the fighting that `Star Wars episode II' has, the heroic adventure that `Spiderman' has, the moving scenes that `The good girl' has, and the imaginative creatures not to mention a great novel that `Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets' has so in short `The two towers' is a wrap-up of all the critically successful films of 2002. Peter Jackson's excellent movie makes you forget that the most horrific and sinister scenes are yet to be seen in 2003's `Lord of the rings: The return of the king'. It's a thought-provoking work of art. It makes you wonder how the third movie will ever compete with the second but that's what we thought when we watched the first movie. The cast ensemble was of coarse excellent and the battle of Helm's Deep is one of the best, most outgoing battle sequences ever to be showed on the big movie screen. The movie will have you at the edge of your seat at all times. You'd forget everything. It's just like actually playing the Two towers game. Now this is filmmaking on a supreme level; inspiring, stirring, and ideal. When the hours long movie is over, you can just not stop wanting more. The movie is definitely built on numbers like the countless numbers of Orcs, the movie budget, the prediction of the movie's box-office gross, and let's not forget the 26,000 extras.

The balance of supremacy is uneven across Middle-earth. Two Towers - the Dark Lord Sauron's dominating place at Barad-dûr and the wizard Saruman's place at Orthanc - have allied to fight in opposition to all civilization, and bring about the ending of the race of Humankind. The mortifying evil of The One Ring, forged by Sauron, has split the Fellowship that stuck together to destroy it. The quest has already claimed the life of the Wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) and the Human Boromir (Sean Bean). Only the Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) has shown some resistance to its great power, which makes him solely capable to be the Ring bearer. Now Frodo must face his fate unaided. Accompanied only by his reliable companion, Sam, Frodo goes into evil lands uninformed that he is on the trail of Gollum who previously owned the ring. I won't tell you the rest. It'll spoil it!

Overall it's an exceptional movie. It's something that'll get rave reviews in all reader's (watcher's) response journals. The Fellowship of the rings showed why the ring was important to the characters and now the sequel explains why the ring is important to us. The sequel is something you can watch for a long time on the cinemas while you wait for the third movie in the trilogy. Peter Jackson is like Joseph L. Mankiewicz (Cleopatra-1963) in the way that he uses an expensive budget to make his movie a masterpiece also not caring how long the movie runs for. He is also like David Lean (Dr. Zhivago) in the way that he uses spectacular cinematography to impress us. And last but not least he's like Steven Spielberg in the way that he creates movies that impress the generations and in the way that he will too leave a great effect in motion picture history.