The Two Towers; One Freepers Review

12/19/02 | Anitius Severinus Boethius

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

How does one begin to discuss a film that is at it's essence not a film in the way most people understand. There can be no mistaking, those who do not have an understanding of who these characters are, either from viewing the first movie or by reading the books, cannot begin to catch up with this movie. In that understanding, this movie cannot and does not stand on it's own. Unlike other "middle installments" (The Empire Strikes Back, The Temple of Doom, The Godfather Part II) this film is not a complete story, and for some non-book fans that will be a serious problem.

The second problem with the film is the unrelenting pace by which things happen. I say that it is a problem, but not in a bad way. It's like having a girlfriend or wife that is so attractive that other men are constantly staring. Or having your stock portfolio increase so much that the SEC investigates. You know, it's a problem, but not one you want to be rid of. The film is fast. Let me make that clear, it is F A S T.

Imagine the Die Hard movies all in 90 minutes. Bruce takes care of Alan Rickman and frees the skyscraper in 30 minutes before taking on rogue Special Forces at JFK and blowing up their plane at the 60 minute mark and then jumping in a cab with Sam Jackson to foil another group of terrorists in the city in another half hour. But don't cut any scenes.

The third problem, and again this is from someone who is very familiar with the books, is the uneveness of the story. This actually is a real problem, and why the film seems a bit choppy at time. Unfortunately, this is the good Professors doing and he left himself an out that Jackson couldn't take. The Frodo storyline is a much more contemplative storyline than the other two and feels much more mellow and sinister. Tolkien worked around this by keeping it seperate in his storytelling; Jackson had no such luxury. A fault with the film, but oddly enough the fault lies in not the director nor the material but rather in the medium itself.

Wow, sounds like I had a lot of problems with the film, doesn't it. Well, no. In fact quite the opposite. The problem with reviewing this film is there is such a cornucopia of real magnificant things that it is easier to recognize that which didn't work instead of that which did. Imagine talking about Ben-Hur without mentioning the chariot race. What a magnificant piece of film making! The Two Towers has so many "chariot race" type scenes that it would be impossible to describe them all and diminish them if you just took a sampling.

Absolutely the best film of the year, and that includes fan favorites such as Spiderman and critics favorites such as The Hours or Far From Heaven. Sadly, the problems with the film will stick out in the minds of many due to the consistantly excellent qualities that permeate this work of art. For that reason, I think that the academy might overlook many of the great accomplishments of this film. That is very dissapointing, because Andy Serkis, Howard Shore (whose score works much better in this film for me than in the first film), and especially Peter Jackson deserve to be holding little gold statues in March.

[jjm2111]

"2. The scenes with Arwen are 11 minutes and 20 seconds of wasted film. It adds nothing, means nothing, and made most people around me start looking at their watches, he ceiling, or go the bathroom."

Nothing like a pointless love/sex scene. The only thing I can say they are good for is taking a piss after drinking 40ozs. of Coke.

[Liberal Classic]

You seem wise in Tolkien lore. Let me pose a problem to you. My only problem with the movie is this: In the film, the Nazgul percieved Frodo and the ring at Osgiliath. This would have told Sauron that his ring was virtually on the borders of his land. Wouldn't this have turned his eyes back east and have redoubled his effors to guard and search his borders?

In the book, his eyes were westward looking towards Minas Tirith and Isengard. I suppose you could rationalize it, saying that Sauron assumes the ring went to Minas Tirith. However, I think this is a small weakness in the movie plot, since in the book it seemed vitally important that Frodo or the ring not be seen in or around Mordor.

[sweetliberty]

I will be seeing the movie in an hour and a half. We watched Fellowship of the Ring last night in preparation. I can't wait! I like these coming out only a year apart. The 3 year span between the Star Wars movies, my other favorites, is making me nuts!

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

But the story with Arwen isn't pointless. There were three unions between elves and men in the histories of Middle-earth that we are told and all of them are great in love and tragedy. Arwen's love for Aragorn is deep and sacrificial. Aragorns love for Arwen is passionate and inspirational. Their story and how they resolve their love for each other is a central motivation for the whole tale. Arwen and her love is what keeps Aragorn going forward on a hopeless endeavor. It's not pointless in the least.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

That would be New Lines doing, methinks.

They had to "modernize it" to appeal to a greater audience...kind of like the love story in Attack of the Clones.

Just be glad they didn't make Frodo a homosexual, Arwen a struggling single mom, and Aragorn a minority...with a special cameo appearance of Britney Spears and the cast of Survivor. The critics would LOVED to have it that way.

[BibChr]

If you can, try theater 3 at the Century Stadium 14 on Arden and Ethan Way. It's where we saw FOTR for the first time, and TTT for the second. Big screen, big sound, good place to view. It's the one for the 12:20 weekday showing, at least.

Dan

[jjm2111]

You are a virus, Mr. Anderson. I had a hard time placing the actor at first, but then I thought, "He's Agent Smith!"

[steve-b]

The Cave Troll is back, I see.

[evad]

..and I think Frodo ends up giving Gollum the finger

hehe..
Yer close ;)

[jjm2111]

These folks will find fault with the actual Second Coming of Jesus.

I'm sure lot's of people will: The Clintons, Saddam, Osama, etc.

[EternalVigilance]

Read LOTR at least 50 times in my life...first read the Hobbit in the 4th grade...no doubt in my mind it's the best fiction ever written.

Loved the first movie (of course the cinema version can never live up to the power of the written word), but haven't seen TTT yet.

Tomorrow is my birthday, and my boys are taking me to see it for the first time tomorrow night as my gift. Between getting to spend the time with my sons and what is obviously going to be one of the greastest movies ever, I can't wait!

I expect it to be one of the best Birthday Presents I have ever received! ;-)

Precioussssssss......LOL

[HairOfTheDog]

Remember, he suspected that Bilbo's ring was The One, but was not certain until he researched Isildur's records in Minas Tirith. ...Methinks Galadriel or Elrond (backed up as he is...lol) would have known right away.

Interesting! - Never really thought about that!

I was thinking of the scene in the book when Gandalf returns and Gandalf and the three hunters are "catching up"

'Yes,' said Gandalf, 'that was Gwaihir the Windlord, who rescued me from Orthanc. I sent him before me to watch the River and gather tidings. His sight is keen, but he cannot see all that passes under hill and tree. Some things he has seen, and others I have seen myself. The Ring now has passed beyond my help, or the help of any of the Company that set out from Rivendell. Very nearly it was revealed to the Enemy, but it escaped. I had some part in that: for I sat in a high place, and I strove with the Dark Tower; and the Shadow passed. Then I was weary, very weary; and I walked long in dark thought.'

'Then you know about Frodo!' said Gimli. 'How do things go with him?'

'I cannot say. He was saved from a great peril, but many lie before him still. He resolved to go alone to Mordor, and he set out: that is all that I can say.'

Gandalf can see, but can't see everything, he can have a contest of wills with Sauron... but can't see the mind of Frodo, or that he was not, in fact alone... very mysterious indeed!

[k2blader]

Breathtaking film bump.

[BibChr]

I liked it after two views better than after the first!

Ditto.

xz2dragon, Would you like us to describe it for you? Or shall we get you a box? ;~D

LOL! Too kind!

Dan

[steve-b]

"I see from your file that you have two lives; In one you are Frodo Baggins, young inheritor of Bag end, richest hobbit in hobbiton, and you help your gardener cut the grass... In the other, you are adventurer, carrying a burden through great peril to a faraway land with great enemies and armies to battle through. One of these lives has a future, the other does not."

[HairOfTheDog]

I have no way of knowing if you are like me, but if you find it running too fast and furious through your story, see it again before you make a judgment! - I needed that!

[jjm2111]

I don't remember it being that detailed in the book, but I might be wrong. I just think that sometimes love scenes in certain movies through the movies totally out of wack. They ruin the pace. In a movie like TTT a love scene would detract, rather then add, to the film.

[Mr. Jeeves]

I would rather not ever talk to them again than to expose myself to anymore of this horrible, horrible series.

Trolls don't get much attention on FR...try the Yahoo! boards instead.

[FormerRep]

Doh!

[Liberal Classic]

Even cave trolls?