9 - Excellent

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2015)

Some see it as the lesser entry of the trilogy. I see it as the vital bridge which allows the characters to develop. Samwise and Frodo spend more time with each other. Gollum gets significant character development as his dual personality leaves the two main characters split on whether he is helping them or not, weakening their loyalty to each other.
Merry and Pippin, with the help of Treebeard, get to where they need to go in a subplot that adds humor and character to an otherwise rough movie. Saruman and the surviving Gandalf are also in conflict. And there's plenty of meaty battles. The Two Towers combines immersive setting, intense action and strong storytelling together in an overall essential experience for fans of fantasy..