A disappointing but stunningly visual film!

Rating: Null/10 (28 December 2002)

Tolkien's plot, language and character have been displaced by Jackson's concept of drama and finding a point to end his own second instalment to make it a stand alone package. I believe that on this point alone the film falls down and that the book finished at dramatically natural points which could have provided a better break. For me, this movie should have ended when the book ended, ie after we have reconciled what will happen to Saruman and when Frodo encounters Shelob. From a dramatical point of view, that would leave the return of Saruman in Part 3 is all the more suprising, and it is similar to the deaths (ie. of Gandalf and Boromir) that end part 1. Much has been said about Faramir, but can I add that the langauge of the exchange between Frodo and he at Henneth Annun in the book was moving and compelling. It was neutered in the movie. The Faramir/Frodo encounter is a fundamental symbol of hope for what Frodo is trying to do and for the role that men can still play in assisting him. This is the single most important thing to happen to Frodo in all of the Two Towers (allowing for the fact that Shelob appears in the book of the Two Towers). Jackson's Faramir is not the Faramir I know. The ents likewise are the oldest of living things in middle earth. They knew everything that went on in and around Fangorn. True it is that Merry and Pippin are like a breath of fresh air to Fangorn however and lead them to the action that they ultimatley take, however it was not a case of them being tricked into acting, as the movie implies. The ents decised for themselves that they will intervene. That being said the language of the ents, the lists of creatures, the songs they sing; are all completely missing. I was most impressed however by the visual effect of their sacking of Isengard. Aragorn - a ridiculous sub-plot involving he and Arwen; it simply doesn't work. Theoden. There is no suggestion in the book that he was possessed by Saruman, ie that Saruman could hear and speak with Gandalf when he arrived at Meduseld. He decided for himself that he will cast-off Grima and confront the situation facing Rohan. I can however accept using Eomer in place of Erkenbrand to break the seige of Helm's Deep, however the thought that Rohan alone + Gandalf could win that battle is at odds with the book and the whole premise of the film. If that was the case why did they not take them on in the forst place. Clealry the ents saved Rohan, and this was simply ignored. Overall, unlike the first film, little of the beatiful Tolkein languge is to be found in this film. The visuals, the Balrog/Gandalf fight, Sauron, The Black Tower, and the black Gate were all the stars of the film. They make it worth seeing.