Great Story, Epic Battle Scenes, Absolute Classic!

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2007)

First off, let me just say that I love Tolkien's original story The Lord of the Rings. It's absolutely a classic, and deserves much praise--as well as the cult following it's gathered the past few decades.
But of all of the three parts of the story this one stands out apart from it's predecesor, The Fellowship of the Ring, and it's Sequel The Return of the King.
The second part of the saga is definitely pivotal. Why? We are introduced to Gollum, The Kingdom of Rohan and it's characters, and Faramir of Gondor. Let's not forget the Battle of Helm's deep, Gandalf the Grey becomes Gandalf the White, or the The breathtaking March of the Ents.
Despite certain liberties--artistic and cinematic--taken by Peter Jackson, it still does not mar the beauty or enjoyment of this film for me.
While Boromir's death should have been the beginning of This film instead of the end of the last, and the spider Shelob should have made her appearance earlier I respect Jackson's decisions in that respect.
With all that went on in the film version of The Two Towers--Battle of Helm's Deep and all--Shelob's Lair interjected into the mix would have made this seem "too busy" after all. (That's just my opinion, however.)
Many viewers scoff at a miniscule modernism by Jackson, involving Legolas using a shield in a skateboard-like fashion. But honestly, if you blink you would miss it.
All in all, it was well done--relatively true to the source material, exciting and entertaining.