Superlatives are commonplace in this masterful film

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2002)

I'm of two minds as I write this. I must agree with Roger Ebert's assessment that the Hobbits get shortchanged in these films. They get carried along by the needs of an making action film that covers the huge canvas of Tolkien's story. At the same time, I utterly enjoyed this second installment of the Lord of the Rings. I must say it was even better than the first. In my mind I try to separate the book from the movie, my enjoyment of each is not dependent upon the other. The terrific action sequences bring the basic message of this film home- there is a tide of evil that is coming and no one is immune or safe. The absence of Gandalf only adds to the desperate plight of the humans, Hobbits, Elves and even Ents. Peter Jackson has outdone Francis Coppola and George Lucas and made the greatest sequel to ever hit the big screen. The scope and sweep of this film is transcendental as has been said. The story rules despite the liberties that Jackson took, he always came back to the essence of the book. It's too early to hand out individual plaudits to such a group effort, but suffice it to say that in every way this film has become an instant classic that raises the bar for future films This film rates the highest possible score and then some.