The Two Towers Review

I’ve seen the movie three times (including once when I was sitting right behind, Mr. George Lucas Hisself.)

Overall: 9/10

I think everyone who has had even the cursory contact with me knows I am a Tolkien freak.
So I’m a tough critic. While I’ve been called a Tolkien slut (I’ll take any interp, even bad ones like the Bakshi Movie[ugh]), I still prefer well-informed interpretations.

So The 2nd movie. The first movie was preceded by so much anticipation over every aspect. The second movie gave less to worry about, since I am near-completely satisfied with PJ’s skills.

So my first thing to say about TTT is that I utterly loved it. I know as with FOTR that these quibblings will fall away with repeat viewings and extra footage that I know is out there, but I feel PJ deserves this level of honest criticism, so I’ll just fire away at the largest problems with the movie (it is overly harsh):

#1. HELM’S DEEP / ROHAN:

The change that Saruman is seeking to ethnically cleanse the Rohiirim (main goal) was a bad choice, IMHO. This leads to having the civillians at Helm’s Deep rather than Dunharrow (and while saving a shooting location) forces different motives and concerns for Theoden, etc.
For instance, if this were truly their “last stand.” ALL able bodied people would be fighting, not just men. This dissapointed me. Why don’t the women fight? Not because they are women, but because in the book they are a) not under threat of extermination, and b)not AT bleeding Helm’s deep. This trivializes the culture of Rohan. I didn’t think it helped the story ‘tall.

#2: ARAGORN GOES MISSING

Why? Ok I can see ‘why’ but it seems contrived. If you are going to have contrived things, keep the ones that are in the book over your creations, PJ. Yes, Aragorn (AND GIMLI) go missing, but it is during the battle of Helm’s deep. Why can’t we have it happen there, like it did in the book? If you want the emotional impact, you can have gimli not go missing and tell Eowyn for that reaction. Then Gimli can’t be in the charge, etc. Oh well, not _too_ big of a deal, but a little troubliing.

#3: ELROND AGAIN

My biggest beef with FOTR is back and worse in TTT. Elrond isn’t that big of a dick, K? Hugo can play concern better, let’s not turn E. into a black-and-white overbearing father, K? Really sloppy.

#4: ENTS

More, please. ( I know this will be fixed in the Extended Ed. Wellinghall WAS filmed.)

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That’s about it.

Now that those are out of the way, problems others had that I didn’t:

#1: GIMLI AS COMIC RELIEF

I thought all the Gimli scenes that are interpreted as comical were done well and tastefully. They were more often then not only funny if you look at his actions as a human or man, and ignore dwarf culture. Yes, they were done with full intent for comic effect, but all have support from the material. Table manners, etc. No, the belch didn’t bother me. I’ve even read on some boards individuals complaining about the Dwarven Women dialogue. That’s fine if you didn’t like it, but don’t pretend for a moment that PJ invented it. It’s all canon. Check the appendicies.

#2: SAMS SPEECH AT END

I’ve seen may people dislike Sam’s speech about being in stories at the end of the movie. All I can say to those people is sorry. This is the soul of the books, the silly simple and honest Sam and his (innocent/naive) sentiment. Look past the (intentional) sacharine feel and read the emotion. Friendship, Love, Comaraderie, Honour, Compassion. If you don’t like that, this isn’t the movie/book for you. Move on, we won’t miss you.

#3: FARAMIR

Too bad David Whenham weren’t better. The change didn’t bother me too much since we got to see Osgiliath. Plus, the timeline is correct, since F. did go to osgiliath in the book, just ‘off screen.’ It gave him a better chr. arc, and It’s an ok change for me — much like the Arwen change in FOTR.

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Now for the great:

#1: GOLLUM

Ok, it was obvious – but even if the rest of the movie were a mess, Gollum would have saved it. All I can say is “mother fucker.” Dead on. Dead. On.
It took a few reads for me to feel compassion for Gollum, which I do with great depths. The movie made me feel for him more.
I really can’t understand the simpleminded people laughing at Gollum – I suppose that is all they can get out of him, so I’m glad PJ could deliver on that level for them. But underneath, as those of us who know know, there lingers the fate of us all – but for the grace of ($diety, Fate, chance) go us all. It is the same effect you get when you pass a homeless person, an addict: This was once a person who did not want to be this way. I really like how Frodo’s mission to ‘save’ Gollum is really a mission to save himself, for If Gollum cannot come back, how can he? A great theme I did not pick up on during any of my readings, but one I’ll be happy to look for at next reading.

#2: HELM’S DEEP

Watch the movie, you’ll see.

#3: ENTS STORMING ISENGARD

At times the scale was a bit noticble, but the effect were unbelievable – I never dreamed I’d ever see this on screen. I never dreamed it would be done this well.

#4: GANDALF AND THE BALROG

“long time I fell…” While we didn’t get to see ‘s republicans, it was SPOT ON with the source material, and even though some dialogue was missing that I would have liked, we did get to see G. (“naked I was sent back”) sent back naked (at least the shoulders). would have liked another eagle shot there taking him to Lothlorien, but ah well. Perfect visualization.

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That about ends my little review – I’m sure more will come with more viewings, but I’m happy with that. I think I liked the experience of FOTR more, but I think this is a better “movie” – at least more traditional “movie.”

comments and discussions welcomed!