Double WOW!

Rating: 9/10 (30 December 2002)

The only caveat I have about this film is: DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT SEEING THIS ONE UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. There is absolutely no "things that occurred up to now" in this film. It simply takes off where the first one left off. So unless you've seen the first, you'd be lost in this film. I think that was a mistake. There are approximately 38 people on the face of the earth who didn't see the first film and they wouldn't have a clue as to what it's all about. There's no explanation as to why the Hobbits left the Shire, why they're going to Mordor or what power the ring has. However, as one who has seen the first (many times) and read the books (many times), I can say this film was MAGNIFICENTLY done. Jackson has another great film to his credit, although this one had to have been very difficult to design, plan and film. Much of this is due to the way the books were written. The film would require significant adaption and revision. It simply couldn't be filmed as it was written. See the first one, then see this one!