Amazing

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2002)

Watching "The Two Towers" is like watching the acts of three or four Shakespearean plays (the trippy ones like "The Tempest" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream", as well as the histories, come easily to mind) collide in astonishing and unexpected ways. The film begins with a powerfully audacious image: Gandalf tumbling into the void to vanquish a demon after boldly telling him, "You shall not pass!" As quickly as you are in awe over the fantastical beauty of that image, you are drawn into the commitment that director Peter Jackson makes to make it real for you. Because of his technical wizardry, you do accept it.
This happens over and over in "The Two Towers", regardless of what we're watching with childlike fascination: the all-CGI character Gollum (who takes more definite shape and three-dimensionality than many of his human cohorts); a tree that lives, breathes, walks, talks, and transports two wayward hobbits; dream sequences that, unlike most in film, actually fit believably into the narrative and move the story forward in a useful way; the acrobatic derring-do of Legolas (my favorite character in the series); and an army of 10,000 menacing, single-minded meanies who are out to destr oy mankind in one fell swoop.
Like its successful predecessor, this film nicely balances grand scenes with quiet, up-close moments. We are drawn into a struggle between good and evil on both an emotional and visceral level. This is superb, classic cinematic artistry that will stand the test of time. Only 364 days until the final chapter, "The Return of the King", hits theaters!