More praise to heap on this excellent film

Rating: 10/10 (14 July 2003)

Though it's really not necessary for someone else to add glowing comments to this already well-received movie, I've just got to add my voice. I think I liked "The Two Towers" more than "The Fellowship" (though the TTT and FOTR extended edition are neck-and-neck). It was darker than the first, more dramatic, more action-filled, and punctuated with more quiet moments of grief and beauty.
I've never read the books, though I will after I've seen "Return of the King," so am going into these movies completely unspoiled and able to look at them as solely films. And they are great films.
It was a pleasure to see my old favorite characters return - especially Aragorn and Sam, who really shined here. I also enjoyed every new character I've met in TTT, Theoden, Eowyn, Faramir, and, of course Gollum. From the sun-dried plains of Rohan to the besieged Osgiliath, every set was sprawling and beautiful. The scenes in Rohan were especially wonderful because of the dialogue, which sounded very Shakespearean, with all of the power plays for Theoden's throne and the need and fear of war against evil. TTT is a very timely movie, but Peter Jackson doesn't beat that point to a pulp. I can't wait to see more of Faramir and his situation in the extended edition, as that was the only point that I felt could've been explained more. I know it has something to do with his father.
Anyhow, November and December seem so far away, and the wait for the next and last movie seems almost unbearable. However, I know I'll be really down when the end credits roll on "ROTK," as I wish this wonderful story would never reach its conclusion.