Gripping, Spellbinding, Enthralling, Mesmerizing ...

Rating: 9/10 (25 November 2003)

Oh man, where's a thesaurus when you need one!
If you hadn't noticed, I absolutely LOVED this movie! Violence, greed, power, lust, corruption, betrayal ... it has all the makings of a biography of a congressional lobbyist, but without the glitter.
The first movie was a bit "too busy" for my taste. I prefer to inhale every now and then. This movie seemed better balanced and even during the enormous fight scenes, there was enough pause to blink.
The bad guys seemed somehow more real in this version also. Maybe because you got to hear some of them talk now and then. Seeing the monsters bickering about not having enough fresh food to eat and whining about doing a five day forced march also made them (dare I say) .. more human.
Anyway, I can't wait for the final chapter. I don't think I could survive the 9-hour marathon viewing of all three chapters (my friends are all ready for it), but I certainly will be in line for the first opening in my area for the final chapter. If it's half as good as Two Towers, I won't be disappointed.
Gee ... I guess I should go read the books now!