Peter Jackson's LOTR, or how the purists will speak the hell out of him...

Rating: 9/10 (29 December 2002)

After watching "The Two Towers" (TTT) twice, I've realized that "The Lord Of The Rings" (LOTR), apart from establishing itself as one of the pillars of the modern literature, it will achieve the same position in the 7th art world. Those sceptics that prophesied that the ambitious project of Peter Jackson would be a disaster, those guys should keep away from the theaters. Because they aren't obliged to watch Peter Jackson's interpretation of Tolkien's universe.
I believe the "purists" of the LOTR world won't agree with me when I say that Peter Jackson is leading an incredible job in conjunction with a huge number of people that forms the LOTR staff. Lots of fans complain about that Jackson has sort of invented some parts of the original story created by JRR Tolkien and they ironically say that the film should be titled "Peter Jackson's The LOTR"...
For God's sake, if you're so critic, go on: "The Hobbit" and "The Silmarillion" movies are still to be made. Look for a producer who gives you a millionaire budget and show me what you've got ^_^
We must understand that Peter Jackson is just another Tolkien's fan who has had the guts to take on with one of the most ambitious projects in the film history and in the movie-adaptation-from-novel thing.
TTT is the culmination of what "The Fellowship Of The Ring" (FOTR) was. In the first chapter of the trilogy, everything is shown up but in fact you left the cinema with a bit of emptiness, like smelling the food but not eating it. In the TTT, which is the heart of the novel, it's where the story goes on and the action progresses.
Let me talk about plot for a second. (beware: spoiler imminent :P). If you've read the book, then you'll have the same `deja vu' sensation you had in FOTR. But you could possibly complain about the bigger amount of parts which are not in or differ from the book. I think Peter Jackson has done well not including some parts of the novel and I will prove it with the ending of TTT: it's better to end the movie right in front of Mordor than inside Mordor, as the book ends. It's more... movie-like.
Also, it's so astonishing how Jackson has achieved a level in the movie to keep up the story because, in my opinion (this is when the `purists' will hang me ^_^), TTT novel is the most difficult to read, because of the plot, which is quite plain compared with the 1st and 3rd book.

Talking about the characters, there are new people around the plot, like Éowyn, Théoden, Gríma Wormtongue. but in my opinion the best one is Gollum, such an incredible and realistic CGI character (probably the best one up to date), who steals the acting from Sam and Frodo in some sequences (just don't miss the dialogue between his two personalities. Worth of an Oscar!).

Aragorn is probably less active in this sequel, probably because Legolas rocks with his acrobatic movements! Gimli has got a clown-like role, that I really hated through all the film, but however, he somehow fit in it.
In conclusion, I'd like to say that `The Two Towers' is one of the most solid sequels I've ever seen. It's darker than the first one and the action is more intense. Peter Jackson is handling the situation with great success. I cannot wait to see `The Return Of The King'. Worth a look! 10/10

PD: BTW, c'mon Lucas! Don't spend 3 years to do a movie! Learn from Peter Jackson! ^_^