An objective review to a very good movie (not enough words in body to say I DID think it was good :) )

Rating: 9/10 (23 December 2002)

I will do my best to sum up my feelings and observations about this movie. To start off, I consider myself one of the most avid Tolkien fans in the world. I know that is a self-proclaiming thing to say, but this story has had a place in my heart for over 20 years and without having any role models as a young man growing up in a terrible situation, I placed many of my beliefs and philosophies in the honor that Tolkien portrayed in Aragorn's character (think what you like... everyone has something they believe in, I chose this).
Enough said, on to my review:
Knowing the books as well as I do, I was disappointed in some of the liberties Jackson took with his vision. In both the first and second films, he made some director decisions that I believe were unnecessary. I also think that he loves the story enough to be faithful in the majority, but his ego gets the better of him when he has the power to impress his vision when he wants. (I say this because during his award acceptance, he never once thanked the man who made this whole thing possible... Tolkien).
**** START OF THE SPOILERS---BOOK/MOVIE COMPARISON ****
As with the first movie, the changes made could be attributed to many things. It's such a long story to put onto the screen that many allowances must be made to make it appealing for large audiences. I agree with not making the audience sit for 5 hours for 1/3 of a story, just to make it true to the books. BUT... the following list of changes is unnecessary ...

1) Aragorn: Jackson's portrayal of Aragorn in the TT starts to evolve more into the character that Tolkien created. In FOTR (movie), Aragorn is made into a self-pitying, unwitting hero. This is NOT who Aragorn is. In the books he knows who he is, and not only accepts it, he IS it. Throughout the story he acts as the King of men he will one-day be, the leader of the Dunedain... men of Numeanor. As in the book, Aragorn should have been portrayed as "The kings of past, come again", not a reluctant hero.
Ok... side tracked a little --- Two Towers problems with Aragorn: Why on earth did they make him go over the edge? To me they should have been more true to the books in other areas (mentioned later) instead of forcing scenes with Arwen. Doing flashbacks and all is great.. but over the edge, make him seem dead, and then save him by a horse that comes out of nowhere and appears to give him CPR. Sorry but this wasn't in the book.
2)Theodin: Theodin's character before/after his "affliction" is very questionable. I sat in the theatre embarrassed with Gandalf's exorcism of Theodin. It was laughable. Same complaint I have with Aragorn, in the book, when Theodin is woken up and confronted with Grima's subversions, he sees the destruction of Rohan caused by his actions and then does everything a king should to protect his people. Why was he portrayed as a weak king during the trip to Helms Deep and his ruling of a besieged fortress? He DOES send riders to Gondor, not fight with Aragorn about it. In the movie I get the feeling that Jackson was trying to fix his errors with Aragorn and show that Aragorn really is a true leader by making Theodin look like an idiot.
3)Faramir: Here is my 2nd largest problem with the movie. Faramir is my 2nd favorite character in the whole story. He is noble, honorable, decisive and (as stated in the books) "a mirror of Gondor's rulers of old". He lives his life and makes decisions with honor and what is best for his people. Unlike his brother (and their father Denethor) whose character is based on pride, Faramir is confronted with Frodo and the ring and handles the situation like a true hero. He is cautious, occasionally ruthless because of his leadership and responsibilities, but he realizes what Frodo is doing and what the ring really is. He is faced with a decision, makes Frodo do what he did with Gollum, and comes to his own realization as to what must be done for the best of Middle Earth.
4) Helms Deep: This I think was a total disappointment. Don't get me wrong, the special effects are the best I've ever seen and if this was not based on a story so well loved, I would have thought it absolutely the coolest thing I ever saw. To keep it simple, Eomer is cast out with some of his most trusted followers (40-50 horsemen, not 2000). Helms Deep is a hopeless confrontation that has no outcome other than total destruction of the people of Rohan unless some other race helps them. The elves don't help them; the ENTS with the hurons (spelling not sure of) help them. Hell if Jackson was worried about effects cost, the true story would have been cheap AND true. A massive blackness, darker than the night amasses behind the orcish hordes. There is confusion, the fighting stops and all defenders wonder what new hell they must face. Amid the silence, screams and the sound of battle erupt on the other side of the invading army and after some time, all is silent. As the first rays of morning sunlight break over the mountains above, a massive forest appears in the place of the besieging army, silent, feeling of anger, and Gandalf appears as promised. --- NOT 2000 mysterious horsemen with Gandalf at the head of the charge... lame...

My gripes are meaningful and if I had 500 more words I could tell more. I don't. Overall as a movie I really liked everything else. As I watch it more and more I think Ill like it as much as the first one. But true to the books it is not.