(spoiler alert) a film flawed for being too short!

Rating: 10/10 (29 December 2002)

Of course, I am a Tolkien fan that has enjoyed the books and associated art for years. I never thought anyone could possibly put this material on the big screen without butchering it so much it would not have the same magic.
Peter Jackson has proved me so wrong, watching the Fellowship (about 30 times now!) and The Two Towers three times I feel I have been transported into Middle Earth in all its glory! Yes, I know the films have missed bits of the book out (Tom Bambardil for instance), enhanced some characters (Arwin being a good example, but seeing more of Liv Tyler is not a bad thing), changed dialogue (everyone I would say) and have characters appear where they shouldn't be (Sam and Frodo at osgiliath for instance). I agree with peter Jackson that it was necessary to change things around for the sake of making the movies as entertaining as possible whilst keeping as much of the essence of the book as possible. Therefore, i forgive Peter for all of the changes he has done, in fact he has even improved it in some places like the elves turning up to fight at Helms Deep, superb moment.
After the disaster of the cgi created character Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars Episode I, I was really worried Gollum and Treebeard in The Two Towers. I was astonished with the realism of Gollum, I forgot he was cgi'd when I was watching him which is the ultimate test i would say. Treebeard was well done as well, would have liked to have seen more of him espiecially in his Ent house, hopefully we will see more on the extended DVD I am expecting late next year.
One question, how did Aragorn manage to put his sword back into its sheath when he fell off the cliff? Is there a break in continuity here?
Getting Alan Lee and John Howe involved in the artwork for the film was a master stroke, so many scenes looked just as if they had been lifted straight from their paintings.
Well done to all those that worked on the film, but particulary Peter Jackson, he is a genius. Can't wait to see it again.