All hope is not lost...

Rating: 10/10 (14 February 2003)

In the Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo falls down over and over again in the face of overwhelming danger. After all, he is inexperienced against the perils outside the Shire. He falls down with his friends running from Farmer Maggot, onto Buckleberry Ferry after being chased by a Ringwraith, in the Prancing Pony, while being attacked by the Ringwraiths on Weathertop, on the snowy mountain, in the Mines of Moria vs. the Cave Troll, after running from Boromir when he takes off the ring. But he always gets up again and perseveres, sometimes on his own sometimes with the help of others in the fellowship. This is an important theme again in the Two Towers. Several story lines revolve and evolve simultaneously in a suspenseful tapestry of hope, courage, and strength confronting and prevailing over the Two Towers of evil: in Isengard (Saruman) and Mordor (Sauron). Frodo, Sam, and Gollum; Merry, Pippin, and Treebeard; Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalph and King Theoden in Rohan; our heroes are bombarded with what appear to be impossible obstacles. Although the bonds of friendships are threatened and tested, hope ultimately overcomes despair, and our heroes continue on their journeys. The complexity of Frodo's and Sam's friendship becomes even more interesting with the arrival of Gollum. Frodo falls again, this time into the marshes, and although we expect Sam to pull him out, (similar to when Frodo saved Sam from drowning in the Fellowship of the Ring), Gollum surprisingly rescues him. Are Gollum's motives strictly driven by greed for the ring, or does he truly become attached in other ways to his new Master? Aragorn is frustrated against overwhelming odds at Helm's Deep, when he helps King Theoden against hordes of Urukhai Orcs. Aragon and Legolas even argue about whether they should involve themselves in what appears to be an impossible fight, although Legolas comes around and admits he should not have given in to despair. Ultimately, the Two Towers of evil are no match for the towers of good that develop amongst our protagonists. Hope is never lost and should never be relinquished to despair, no matter what the adversary. Ironically, I was re-reading the book of the Two Towers at a dental visit recently. The young dentist from Australia was not familiar with the Tolkien books and how long ago they were written. He pointed out the irony of the title in the wake of 9/11/01. There are themes in this excellent movie that are relevant to our present world. The movie makes me want to see more, and I am counting the days until Return of the King. (314 more days until 12/25!)