Genres: Action | Adventure | Fantasy Countries: New Zealand | USA Actors: Elijah Wood Frodo Baggins Noel Appleby Everard Proudfoot Sean Astin Sam Gamgee Sala Baker Sauron Sean Bean Boromir Cate Blanchett Galadriel Orlando Bloom Legolas Greenleaf Billy Boyd Pippin Marton Csokas Celeborn Megan Edwards Mrs. Proudfoot Michael Elsworth Gondorian Archivist Mark Ferguson Gil-Galad Ian Holm Bilbo Baggins Ian McKellen Gandalf Christopher Lee Saruman Lawrence Makoare Lurtz Directors: Peter Jackson IMDB Rating: 8 out of 10 (278522 votes)

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Director Peter Jackson had big shoes to fill in creating “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” - his own (albeit in reality said shoes were most often missing, exposing feet that have been described as ‘hobbit-like’). With the first film garnering 13 Academy Award nominations, picking up American Film Institute and Screen Actors Guild Awards, doing boffo business at the box office, and accomplishing the near impossible - exceeding many Tolkien fanatics’ fantasies of a live action trilogy - Jackson set the bar incredibly high. Fortunately, this short, stout, visionary director turns out to be quite a high jumper.

It would be understating the achievements of this second film - and diminishing the artistry of the first - to label this second venture as ‘better’ than the first. Where the first film had the arduous task of setting up the story, the second fleshes out the members of the Fellowship. “The Two Towers” is darker, gorier, and despite a love triangle, in many ways it’s less emotional than the first. This movie is brimming with bloody, in-your-face battles against scarier Orcs and other equally lethal creatures. “The Two Towers” also prominently features one of my personal favorite creatures, the slinky and hideous depraved Gollum. (Kudos to Jackson, actor Andy Serkis, and all the artists at Weta for creating a character that can in no way be compared to the obnoxious and obtrusive Jar Jar Binks of “Star Wars” fame).

This middle story in the Middle Earth trilogy has the toughest job of the lot. Without a real beginning and no true ending, the middle story serves to advance the Fellowship of the Ring’s journey toward the two towers: Orthanc Tower in Isengard ruled by Saruman (Christopher Lee), and Barad-dur, Sauron’s fortress deep in Mordor*. We catch up with our heroes as the Fellowship exists in separate, distinct groups. Frodo (Elijah Wood) and his ever-trustworthy companion Sam (Sean Astin) have struck out on their own to destroy the One Ring. A second group consisting of Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John-Rhys Davies) team up to rescue a third group, the two captured hobbits, Pippin (Billy Boyd) and Merry (Dominic Monaghan). We’re also treated to the conclusion of the fight between the beloved wizard, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the fiery Balrog, which leads into Gandalf’s welcome reunion with Aragorn’s party.

Pippin and Merry’s adventure introduces a new race: the ancient, noble, slow-to-anger Ents, trees who have survived for thousands of years and are the fodder of legends. The Ent Treebeard befriends the hobbits and transports the two in his gnarled limbs, physically advancing the hobbits toward their destiny while simultaneously advancing their storyline. Through Pippin and Merry, the Ents learn of the resurgence of Sauron and the turning of Saruman.

Meanwhile Frodo the Ringbearer is pulled deeper toward the darkside as the Ring exerts greater control of his mind. With the loyal Sam the glue holding Frodo together, the two form an uneasy alliance with the sneaky Gollum who worms his way into their service as their guide. Of particular note in this portion of the tale is the battle brewing inside Gollum, which plays out as he verbally abuses himself, consoles himself, and argues with himself over the hobbits and his ‘Precious.’

Unlike the first film, the majority of onscreen time doesn’t belong to Frodo. “The Two Towers” plays out primarily with Aragorn’s group. It’s Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and to a lesser degree, Gandalf, who engage in all the battles, help the men of Rohan and their vacuous leader, King Theoden (Bernard Hill), deal with Boromir’s brother, Faramir (David Wenham), and ultimately face the great battle at Helm’s Deep. Highlights from this group’s adventures include renewed friendships with the race of elves, a light moment of dwarf tossing, and Aragorn’s romantic entanglements.

There are a few changes to the Tolkien classic, some much more noticeable than others. However, as Jackson did so adeptly with “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings,” he again ensures that the spirit and fundamental plotlines are followed as closely as is cinematically and creatively possible.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” is a beautiful work of art. Meticulously crafted, “The Two Towers” fully lives up to the standards set by “The Fellowship of the Rings.” If the first film was a hearty appetizer, the second film is a full course dinner. I can’t wait to see what Jackson serves us for dessert.

*Be advised, Director Peter Jackson jumps right into “The Two Towers.” If you can’t recall what happened at the end of the first film, then you’ll start off at a disadvantage as Jackson immediately picks up the story where “The Fellowship of the Rings” left off. Your best bet is to pick up the DVD and give yourself a quick refresher course prior to watching the second film.

Rebecca Murray
Hollywood Movies Guide

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