Muddled Earth

Rating: Null/10 (29 December 2002)

This second part of the Rings trilogy is better than the first installment, but that's not saying much. There is no excuse for a film that is so complicated and convoluted you must read the book before going to the film. Or, they should include a `Guide to Middle Earth' with each ticket purchase.
Just like the story's walking trees, the film lumbers along slowly and awkwardly. The editing is a bore, the dialogue is a bore, the characters, with a couple exceptions, are a bore. Gorgeous vistas, elaborate effects don't make up for such a dark, ponderous, pretentious and emotionally flat film. In three monotonous hours absolutely nothing brought me to the edge of my seat. Even comic relief was sparse for and adventure yarn. The much-touted climatic battle scenes are unremarkable. They are just plain cluttered with a godzillion warriors milling around like ants at a picnic.

Unless you're a Toliken buff, this film is marginally entertaining if you've got nothing better to do for three hours. Just go find yourself a nice soft theater seat that *reclines.* You're in for a snooze between fight scenes.