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.

[Fudd]

So how does the whole thing end??? Does Frodo melt the ring???

I read the books a long time ago, and I think Frodo ends up giving Gollum the finger.

[My2Cents]

evil will not just go away if you ignore it, placate it. Evil will not pass by if you let it devour those around you.

Very well said! Don't you find it interesting that although these truths are tightly woven through Tolkein's work, his work is dearly loved by may who you KNOW don't subscribe to those truths in the world of geo-political reality?

[ArGee]

OK, so let's review the story line.

Sauron gets the ring and survives to the next age where he takes off his mask and reveals himself as the Governor of Arkensas. The ring gives him enough power to take some of the weight of Shelob and put it on Gollum so that the former becomes his wife and the latter his chief political advisor.

Yeah - that works.

Shalom.

[Joe Hadenuf]

I was dragged, kicking and screaming to this movie. I thought that the first one was bad, but I had no idea just how bad it could get until last night. 3 hours of my life are gone and the only thing I can be thankful for is that I did not have to waste my money seeing it.

Well, I have to agree with you. One of our liberal relatives came over and put it on our DVD player. It was the most boring film I have ever seen. I had to get up several times and walk around. The dumb relative kept saying, "oh put it on pause till he gets back". As I cringed.

I am just not into fantasy mumbo jumbo.

[cogitator]

So how does the whole thing end??? Does Froto melt the ring???

Just had to comment; even though we knew what was going to happen at the end of Titanic, getting there was still quite a thrill-ride.

I might as well make this comment here as anywhere: the DEFINITIVE way to watch the LOTR will be late in 2004, when all three extended-version DVDs are out. Then you'll want to go somewhere (I need a friend with a superb home theater system), get a good breakfast, and then watch the whole thing end-to-end with as few breaks as possible. Pack a lunch.

This "total immersion" approach will be amazing.

[FormerRep]

As far as I know the rings didn't grant any kind of communicative ability. That would be cool if they did though. The power of Galadriel's ring was pretty much consumed by maintaining Lothlorian - once the one ring is gone Lothlorien ceases to exist. The last of the two way connections are the palantirs - but only those with the strongest wills dare touch them.

[cogitator]

...I'm nervous ROTK will let me down...

I slightly share the same nervousness, but it is subdued by the fact that ROTK has approximately 8-10 showstopper sequences in it. And from what I understand, it's necessarily going to start out with a major event that is actually in the TT book. Which seems to be a very good choice for pacing the third; the tension will be unrelenting. I'm wondering how a few key little elements will get worked in, but for that I'll have to just wait and see.

[Ramius]

You can know that a film is a magnificent achievement when even it's detractors feel compelled to respond to it, when they don't have to, and even then go into detail.

[Salgak]

Imagine, after ROTK comes out, watching ALL THREE in the extended version, end-to-end as one movie. . . 9 hours +, 4 intermissions. . .I'd easily pay 30-40 bucks for it. . .


And as an alternative, after ROTK comes out on DVD, a DVD equivalent of the same. . .

[Ramius]

the DEFINITIVE way to watch the LOTR will be late in 2004, when all three extended-version DVDs are out. Then you'll want to go somewhere (I need a friend with a superb home theater system), get a good breakfast, and then watch the whole thing end-to-end with as few breaks as possible. Pack a lunch.

Yup. Another good thing will be for the various big Cinerama-type 70mm houses to do the same thing. Show all of the extended versions back to back with only intermissions between them as a day long event. People would pay big bucks. Make it a first class affair with catered meals, T-shirts and paraphenalia. I'd do it. They could pack the house and charge a couple hundred a seat.

It might even become a recurring event, like Wagner's Ring series. This story is essentially that: Wagner for a new generation.

[TigersEye]

More ring here too! ; )

[cogitator]

It might even become a recurring event, like Wagner's Ring series. This story is essentially that: Wagner for a new generation.

Having not seen it yet, I've been having trouble remembering the main melodic lines in the score. I keep trying to think of them but I always end up with "The Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla" from Die Gotterdamerung instead.

I agree with you on the "event" nature of showing all three movies together. Baltimore (about 45 minutes from where I live) has a theater called the Senator where it would be a great event. DC's Uptown could do it too, but it's a lot harder to get there for me (there aren't any good ways to get into DC from the north).

[HairOfTheDog]

HA! - The lines of people last night and the lines at the midnight show tell the truth. The three people who hated it, or stayed home and didn't see it, can be righteously indignant all they want!

I liked it after two views better than after the first! The first time is nervous for me, not knowing if it is all going to be done right. I have quibbles, to be sure, but PJ has told us a fine story. It is hard to tell a story to a group that has heard it before... People always interrupt and correct you before you can finish!

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

[FormerRep]

Argh! The only line of Legolas that I hated ARGH ARGH ARGH!! I was disappointed - nothing more. I'd give it a so-so one thumb up. But if you are really there to be wowed by the effects then two thumbs up - the effects are there in abundance and are top of the line.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Why did you hate that line? It was obvious that Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn had bonded to the point that they were teasing each other and being very open with their feelings. From the argument that Legolas and Aragorn had to Gimli calling Aragorn "lad" on several occasions, Jackson showed visually the connection these three had developed with each other.

I particularly loved that he kept the "counting game" in the story and even expanded it to precede the battle of Helm's Deep.

"That one counts as mine!", cries Gimli when Legolas shoots the Warg charging Gimli. Brilliant!

[HairOfTheDog]

You hated it? - I liked it! - I liked the jokes the second time around... They are the jokes only friends can make with affection. I liked the levity. I may not have liked it if I didn't know they all held the story and each other in high esteem. If PJ made a joke of the story... we would all be furious. But they were affectionate jokes by all.

And Legolas's smile, well, let me tell you, if he smiles like that, he can say and get anything he wants ;~D

[Portnoy]

I loved that line! The interaction and dialog between Gimli, Aragon and Legolas is just fantastic.

I can't wait to see it again. I probably won't get the chance to see it untill after the holidays. I know I got the Extended VErsion (with bookends) for Christmas and I have already planned on watching it on the 26th of this month....

...then it will be time to reread The Return of the King fo the upteenth million time!

[Liberal Classic]

I say "Mr. Anderson" out loud every time I watch the DVD!

LOL!

I do this too in my best Agent Smith voice: "Welcome to Rivendell, Mister Baggins."

[FormerRep]

The facial expression he used and Gimli's reaction were great - just that line argh! Surely they could have thought of a better jest. Ok - let's switch to something I think we can all agree on - The portrayal (both voice and CGI) of Gollum was the best non-human character ever put into film. Andy Serkas did a phenominal job and truly captured the deceit and delusions of the tortured Smeagol.

[Liberal Classic]

Yes, Gandalf wears one, as does Galadriel, and so does Elrond. I don't remember exactly what each one does, but Galdalf's has something to do with fire.