The World is divided into those... (SPOILER INCLUDED)

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2002)

who have read the book and those who are going to.
The first part of this comment is if you mainly base your experience of the film, by the first film: "The Fellowship Of The Ring" (FOTR). Now if you also have read the book, you might also want to read the second part.
SPOILER WARNING!!
Now if you haven't got a vision of the book in clear memory, i.e. never read it or long ago, and you wants to see next chapter which began with FOTR, this is some epic story. The location for the film is breathtaking, the number of real people and real props is massive. The tension in the film starts with the battle between Gandalf and the Balrog ending with a fantastic battle at Helm's Deep. Combined with excellent special effect-making it gives the film a trustworthy touch, and during all 3 hours you are never bored or feeling that you wasted your time. As an epic adventure I would give 10/10.
If you have read the book: I've recently read the books 3+4 of LOTR, which is the background for the movie "The Two Towers", and wanted to see how well adopted it is.
Frodo and Sam's story works fine, we can feel their hopeless quest, and we get a brilliant picture of Gollum. But when they come to Ithilien a question arises, why changing the plot: Why are they going to Osgiliath? Why couldn't the problem be solved at Henneth Annûn? That the film ends before Shelob is okay, otherwise their part in "The Return Of The King" probably would have been very short.
For Merry and Pippin again it works: That they're chased by Grishnákh, the meeting with Treebeard, and finally the breaking of Isengard.
Lastly there's the tracking trio, where especially Gimli is altered: Why is he goofing around all the time - lacking behind, being tossed of a horse, being thrown into battle and so on (a dwarf is stout and proud, not a clown). To mend this you could have the result of Gimli and Legolas's competition, but maybe Gimli's victory is saved for the extended DVD version? Then there's Legolas' stunts just a little too much - the leap from ground to horse and the skateboard-trick, it's unneeded and "modern". There's too many of these silly bits. Then there's the squadron of elves, commanded by Haldir, that arrive: Where did they come from? Apparently they come to aid instead of Huorns and Ents. In spite of this is the whole battle at Helm's Deep is stunning, so many Uruk-hai and so few men.
I find that the changes mentioned above seems peculiar and unnecessary. And I find that it reduces the quality of the film. On the other hand you have some changes work, for example the larger role Arwen plays or the chase by Grishnákh. Mainly because I've read the book, and based on the above I can "only" give it 9/10.