Rating: Summary: Better than the first Review: I haven't seen the first movie since it came out last year so when I watched this one I had no idea what was going on about 25% of the time. The story does drag out a bit and it is very confusing much of the time but who can resist those amazingly beautiful shots? The environments and special effects make each frame suitable for a book cover. The look and feel of this film is very much enjoyable. The action scenes are energetic and suspenseful. In the last movie the big action scene was with a huge fire monster. In this one the peak is with what seems like an unwinable war. Fantastic. I look forward for the next one to find out how this all wraps up.
Rating: Summary: Doesn't get any better than this! Review: Let me start my review by saying that I did enjoy the books in this trilogy. How could you not become engrossed and fall in love with the characters in such an epic? But this movie, as well as the Fellowship, is just amazing to me. The books of course give much more detail and information, and although the movie seems to skim over a bit, I feel it added so much more intensity at the same time. To me, being able to see the character's emotions and feelings instead of the way Tolkien only hinted at them in the books makes the story more enjoyable. The movie was intense and wonderful, especially the creature Gollum. It just felt right. Some things just work, and this movie did. Even though in the book, Arwen was not even mentioned, I think she was referred to once or twice, I really thought the scenes with her were worked in beautifully. You could actually see that as something Tolkien might have skimmed over in his books! I think the making of these movies was ingenious! I can't imagine anyone seeing The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers and not being consumed with frustration at the end for closure! You'll be crying for more even though we all probably know what happens at the end of Sam and Frodo's quest.
Rating: Summary: From a Tolkien afficionado Review: I have read all his works, the LOTR probably over 30 times and the posthumous literature. Yes Peter Jackson made changes, some we argue about, but nevertheless the movies are the most incredible, awe inspiring and beautifully crafted cinemetic experience I have had. I was still tense at Helm's Deep, even though I new what would happen, I still felt for Gollum and Arwen. True magic to make me care even when I knew what would happen! Star Wars notwithstanding. PJ and his crew sweated blood and tears for nearly 4 years to make this, and did far better than a typical US Hollywood director. Thank God that New Line Cinema had the guts to make 3 movies, we are lucky that a crew that loved the book made it, not a crew that had no personal interest. The special extended edition looks like it will top even the 2 towers. Sean Astins litte movie is a nice little touch. Andy Serkis deserves more credit - I mean flopping around in freezing cold water for 4 takes.Buy it and you'll not regret it.
Rating: Summary: I'd give it five stars but... Review: For the hardcore LOTR fans who don't want to buy two versions of The Two Towers - wait until the extended edition is available in November. I just received the first version only to find out about an extended one not yet released. More deserves 5.
Rating: Summary: Amazing! Review: Its rare nowadays that Hollywood actually produces something that is both visually stunning while being able to tell a very well crafted and enthralling story. Having read all three of the books numerous times, (front, back and the appendices!), the movies are genuine works of cinematic art. The scenery is breathtaking, the acting is superb and its amazing at how much attention to detail was given to the sets, costumes, makeup, etc... Despite a few departures from the book, both Fellowship of the Ring and the Two Towers succeed on a grand scale of transferring a very complex novel onto film. I agree with the person who commented that no one, including "purists", would want to watch a 15 hour movie! That is why there are novels, one can read all the minute details at one's own pace. Furthermore, I urge overly zealous purists not to allow a few details ruin the sheer enjoyment of these marvelous films, they are well worth watching! So, pop your popcorn, grab your beverage, turn down the lights and enjoy the show :)
Rating: Summary: wow Review: I loved the Two Towers! I loved the plot, the story and the action. It was all so good!
Rating: Summary: Twin Towers-paradigm struggle between good and evil Review: The Twin Towers is a sizzling page turner for the eyes, a magnificent effort. I was most taken by the taffey-like tug of war within the minds of Gollum and Frodo. There were only a few minor stumbles and who cares if the storyline was not followed exactly as we are swept away with dazzling special effects and scintillating action. Gollum had to win the character prize in my eyes, a breathtaking job by Andy Serkis depicting Gollum as the wiry,anguished, twitching, tortured and pathetic Barney Fife in a loin cloth. The rescue of Frodo in the spooky bog cemented a bond of trust that was heartbreakingly broken later. Gollum stole the show, but the Ents saved the day as the powerful sheperds of the forest put on a dazzling visual feast, smashing orcs and wrecking Saruman's realm. Chris Lee is without peer as an actor as he plays the ice-cold Sauruman, but the Ents had the normally stoic Sauruman scrambling in disbelief at his evil console, an unforgetable blow against evil. This epic is full of transformations to go along with the continuing wonderful performances of Gimli, Legolas and even Aragorn. Grima Wormtongue is a wonderful addition, the type of slippery and evil character that makes you want to head for the showers just for looking at him. This movie is a must see and must buy. I'm glad that I waited for the DVD widescreen, the pictures and sounds on a HD Plasma were top notch, as is the movie. Top pick!
Rating: Summary: A journey beyond imagination Review: The second part in the LOTR trilogy is just as sweeping and literate is the first. I don't care what others say, hands down this will be the greatest trilogy ever put to film. The DVD is certainly lacking compared to the monster special edtion that'll hit stores in the near future. However, if you just enjoy the film and aren't concerned with spending over 30 dollars, then pick this up.
Rating: Summary: French edition is amazing, guess original too ;) Review: In Swizterland I have grieved for the arrival of the DvD, totally forgetting the that an Extended Edition would soon come out, but my dissapointment was exorcised by this Dvd. Spectacular audio and video even in the most intricate scenes. This is a must for any LOTR lover and I think it might be the best of the three. There are a few mistakes which have been pointed ou previously, though Faramir's feelings about the ring are completely wrong and a few other details. However I loved the film and I wonder how come there have been many criticisms and very petty and few Oscars have been awarded. Gollum is simply unbelievable and the battle of Helm's Deep breathtaking. I also think that the soundtrack is one of the best I have ever heard. The extra's are more on the production then the background of Middle Earth, and that dissapointed me a bit. I give it 5 stars for it cannot receive less, it's one of the "big ones" in the history of cinema. Few fantasy films have had the same success. I watched both the French and the English version and I was very satisfied. The only thing that really dissapoints me, I must say, is that I cannot see the extra scenes. I'll find a remedy ;)!!!!! Salut
Rating: Summary: great effort but not a complete success Review: The Two Towers is an enjoyable movie with some fantastically looking shots and does a good job at transporting the viewer into the fantasy world of middle earth. But there are quite a few things which did break the spell for me which was cast so well with fellowship. Before my dissapointments though, i did think it was great to see the wolves of Isenguard in action, which from memory only get referred to in the books. The city of Rohan is hardly a city, it is a small village, and the riders of rohan would be lucky to number 200 yet they are talked about as being two thousand. The population of the village though, especially in some shots of the trek to helms deep, is shown as being very large, and you are left wondering, where did all these people come from? So aspects of the kingdom of Rohan is talked about in one way, but represented visually in another that jars a bit through out. The effects of the tree ents are passable but them refusing intially to help, and then either Pippin or Merry saying that perhaps they should just head home is against everything the character has put himself through and a massive u-turn that doesn't gel, after which, a silly trick of tree beard and suddenly all the trees appear at the edge of the forest overlooking isenguard. Just seems clumsy. It seems a mistake to make Faramir less noble, although it is nice to see osgiliath and while the black riders look and sound cool, especially on the flying bats, they fly away after being hit with one arrow, and after being cleaned out so easily by Aragorn in the first film, they just don't seem very tough, although they are still cool. The battle at Helms deep has some absolutely great visuals and set pieces on an epic scale, but still fails to achieve what the end battle of fellowship did, an experience that had you rooting for the heros. By comparison it seems flat and overblown. There's lots of good stuff in the film, and also not so good which makes for an enjoyable but midly frustrating viewing. So the film has faults, but ignore the hype and you will enjoy an fantasy tale of epic proportions.
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