Number One Film

Rating: 10/10 (4 September 2007)

Out of all the films I've seen during my life, which is easily hundreds, it would be most fair to say that LOTR: The Two Towers stands as my favoured film. The middle of the stunning Peter Jackson trilogy, it is not the biggest or boldest, or most important, but I feel it is scene for scene the greatest film I have ever seen.
The film is basically split into 3 separate but intertwining plots. First, we see our warrior trio (Aragorn the Ranger, Leglolas the Elf and Gimli the Dwarf) as they track across vast plains in hot pursuit of the somewhat depleted Uruk Hai party that has kidnapped Hobbits Merry and Pippin, before making way to the ruling town of Rohan. Then, there is the ring carrier Frodo and his trusty sidekick and friend Samwise, who wearily hike across rocky unfamiliar terrain en route to Mordor, which is where Frodo's mission lies. Lastly and by no means least, we follow the path of Hobbits Merry and Pippin, who find themselves in the huge, dark Fangorn Forest upon escaping their green skinned captors. It is here where they see an old friend, and stumble across the ancient natives of the wood, who just might join their cause.
My favourite sub story would have to be the Aragorn one, as not only does that have the most battle and combat, but is also the main attraction of the film for me. It is the 3 fearless warriors who must help defend the people of Rohan as they take the dangerous but necessary journey to the mountain fortress of Helms Deep. Which is where they stand firmly together and await the sinister Saruman's next move.
I would not recommend this to anyone who has not already seen The Fellowship of the Ring, as this carries on directly and the viewer would be trying to fill in the holes as events progressed. It would also not be as enjoyable if you hadn't seen the build up to where they are now. It is immensely gripping and exciting to see the story unravel, almost impossible to not be totally swept in by it all. Everything has been handled just as it should, there is a little humour, passion, stirring scenes of valour, plenty of sword fighting and battle to keep the action fiends happy. As for the violence, it is not disturbing or malicious, but brave and uplifting. The men of the West, Dwarfs, Elves and Co. are fighting for a reason, to save themselves from extinction, they do what they have to do for survival. It is a true case of good vs evil here, light vs darkness.
Anything else? Oh yes, glorious cinematography, excellent and effective use of CGI, amazing New Zealand scenery, captivating dialogue and character interaction, not to mention great performances from Viggo Mortensen as the softly spoken yet ultra strong, bearded uncrowned King of Middle Earth, Bernard Hill as the noble Theoden and as always Ian McKellen shines as the wise and knowing Gandalf. Very few performances were bad in fact. Then again, this film has VERY little wrong with it.
10/10