This is perilously close to a big fat turkey

Rating: Null/10 (29 December 2002)

I have not read the books. But after seeing part one and two of this over-hyped saga on the screen, I am beginning to doubt that there is much to be had by reading the book. Tolkien is simply not a very good author, or the screenplay does not do the books full justice. Judging from the enthusiastic fan comments, the latter does not seem very credible.
Compared to the first LOTR movie, this is much much worse. It actually comes very close to being a real big fat turkey, but is saved by gollum.
It is too pompous.
And the actors are sometimes wooden with horribly, overpompous, lines. Especially Legolas and Aragorn are settled with stupid comments.
The early part of the movie, with the dwarf, elf, and human heroes RUNNING for days and nights on end after a band of Uruk-Hai that kidnapped some hobbits, is plain ludicrous. It brings back visions of Monthy Python's Quest for the Holy Grail.
The scenes where Gandalf returns in a heroic backlight and fog, while playing at some kind of pseudo-religious mumbo-jumbo (with clear Jesus-like connotations), are too just plain too much!
The viking-style kingdom of Rohan is a nice change from the over-designed ultra-big locales of the first movie. But the plot taking place there is rather shallow and obvious.
The battle for Helms Deep is impressive, especially technically. And the comic relief offered by Gimli is nicely put. There are some almost shakespearian moments when kind Theodor (was that his name) seems to give up the battle. Could have been really nice if he had been allowed to lose :)
The scenes with the fleeing women and children feel acutely contemporary, and is almost peace-propaganda. Very disturbing, nice to point out the suffering of civilians in all conflicts.
The saving grace of the entire movie, however, is the torn character of Gollum/Smeagol. He is actually believable, and interesting since he is neither good nor evil. All other characters are clearly one or the other, which is part of why the movie fails to engage. It is too simple, and we know who is going to win.