Quick Reviews!!

Rating: 10/10 (12 April 2005)

Continuing directly on from the events of the last film, the Fellowship has been destroyed and it seems the bad guys have the upper hand. Gandalf is gone, Boromir has been killed, and the enemy's forces are growing to vast numbers and in power. They are spreading across Middle-Earth destroying all people, all races who get in their way in their quest for Frodo and The Ring. Saruman has been seduced by the evil, adding his superior skills and seeking out the remaining Fellowship members. Frodo and Sam travel on towards Mordor, followed by a mysterious creature. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas decide to rescue their friends Pip and Merry who were captured by the enemy, an ork army. Things are looking bleak.
The Two Towers, in splitting up the group becomes a more personal film for each character as we get to know them more in their individual struggles. Jackso deals with the different stories brilliantly and we never get bored of watching one group too much. There is always something new happening, a new character, a new threat or battle, and we feel part of the proceedings. Again the attention to detail is breathtaking, and the acting is just as good from both the old and new characters. We meet Faramir, brother of Boromir who also seeks the Ring as he wants to please his father and save his own city, misguidedly. We meet Gollum, once Smeagol a creature corrupted and transformed over the years by the Ring. He wants it, believing it is his and his alone, and promises to be Sam and Frodo's guide into Mordor, along secret paths. Meanwhile Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli get an army together to protect the residents of Rohan in a massive battle against the evil forces of Sauran. The enemy is marching towards Gondor to destroy the worlds of man forever, and the good guys must fight for the two towers between Mordor and Isenguard. Merry and Pip meet the Ents, an ancient race of tree like creatures with immense power but slow pace. They set out to stop Saruman.
It is this film which heightens the emotional impact of the series. We learn more of Aragorn's past, and his tragic romance with Arwen who must decide between her immortality or her love. The banter between Gimli and Legolas continues, Frodo and Sam begin to drift apart because of the traitorous Gollum, but not all is lost...Theoden has been saved by an old friend an uses his old courage to rally his troops to victory, his strong-willed daughter Eowyn taking an interest in Aragorn. We learn of Faramir's life which will be important in the next film. Again the effects are superb, and the battle scenes are probably the most epic and sweeping yet. They are all only there though to give Frodo and Sam a slight chance of making it to Mordor. Another truly stunning feat by all involved.
10 out of 10