impressive sequel

Rating: 8/10 (28 September 2016)

The fellowship has scattered. Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, on their journey to Mordor, encounter a vile creature named Gollum. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are chasing the kidnappers of Merry and Pippin. Merry and Pippin manage to escape and befriend tree shepherd Ent Treebeard. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli encounter Gandalf reborn as Gandalf the White. They go to Rohan to find King Théoden under the control of evil Saruman.
The story and the characters get split up into basically three groups. That back and forth can scatter the tension a little bit. It's a small drawback. I would consider doing Frodo and Samwise in the first half leaving the others to the second half. That would keep continuity flowing. The CGI is world class and nothing is more impressive than Gollum. The movie is able to keep the story compelling in all aspects.