A great movie for the eyes, not the mind.

Rating: 7/10 (1 December 2003)

TTT should be taken for what it is, a visually attractive, popcorn fun, crowd-pleaser. In this respect, the movie does it perfect. The action is well choreographed, and very interesting to watch. Peter Jackson is very good at this. He makes movies interesting. He makes movies fun to watch. This whole movie was a big story, with really no inner message. My mind did not go through any thought process this whole movie. I just sat in my cushioned seat, and absorbed the action/adventure fest this movie gave me. And as I said, this movie does that well.
The cinematography was amazing. You could tell that most of the time making movie was spent in a little room, on a computer, animating Golem, who felt like a real person. Also, considering most of the background and sets were made by computers, they did a great job with that.
The story also was very good, mainly because it is from what is considered one of the greatest books of all time.
Also, the movie is very eye-catching, and you can tell Peter threw in some things just to make sure you were watching (Legolos jumping onto his horse is a perfect example). This makes the movie feel like "The Matrix", which is something many directors trying to make an epic DO NOT want.
The love story could have been done without, as I forgot every part of the movie with that in it. I can't even remember who was in love with Liv Tyler. This felt like they were trying to add more meaning into the battle scenes with whoever she loved, but I could see no connection between the two.
Also the character development... wasn't their. Unless you consider Gandalf becoming "White", or Frodo becoming woozier, character development, i felt none in the movie.
There are many movies that I sit and wonder after, not because of I being confusing, because that is what the director wants you to do. The Pianist, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Chinatown, 2001, A Clockwork Orange and others all made me do this. After seeing this in theaters, I was right out of the theater, and discussing how "cool" the battle scenes were. Wow. Gripping.
But I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. Throughout the whole movie, my eyes were fixed on the screen. I mean, almost any male, despite how "inner" they say they are, can't resist 25 minute battle scenes with fire and ogres.
But this movie was easily forgotten in the thoughtful part of my mind. But it will always be in the "Wow! Look at that! Once in a lifetime!" part.
I give The Two Towers: 7/10