I was disappointed... but there's more

Rating: 9/10 (1 May 2003)

My review scale: **** Excellent, classic *** Excellent (both can be considered 10/10) ** Average * Terrible
I really enjoyed The Fellowship of the Ring. I thought it was truly a classic to be treasured forever. But what about this one?
Well, the first thing I could put it when I came out of the theaters was... disappointed.
Unlike the first one, which just seemed to move fast and never let you down, this one drags on at parts. But don't be too discouraged by this review. I only said I was disappointed. I never said I hated this movie. Far from it.
For one thing, like everybody else, I enjoyed the battle of Helm's Deep. For those of you who missed it in Ralph Bakshi's version (a heavily underrated and misunderstood work of artistic innovation), it's right here, and it couldn't be even better. Through the disappointment of the first two hours of the film, I was hoping to get something redeeming and change my mind. Well, I found it. Helm's Deep absorbs you into the action just like all the action in the first installment did.
Hopefully, The Return of the King will be a lot better.
Review: **1/2 (8/10, somewhat disappointed, but don't miss it); Rated: USA PG-13 UK 12A Canada 14A