Josh Taylor Reports on The Two Towers
The Two Towers is easily just as good as last year’s Fellowship of the Ring, and that is honestly the highest possible praise I could give a film. There are images and scenes in this film that enter the realm of instant classic. Things I will be watching and re-watching over and over again for years to come, including one of the coolest sequences I’ve ever seen on the big screen. If you aren’t covered in goose bumps and feel a tingling in your loins after the first 5 minutes of the movie, you need to just get up and leave the theater. This isn’t the film for you.
Getting a little more into the weight of the film, everything is portrayed fantastically on the big screen. There are some differences between the books and the movie (some HUGE differences actually), but everything is done to help things either be more logical, or heighten the drama. Every time you see one of the familiar characters from the first film, you can’t help but want to give out a little cheer as we are reintroduced to the crew. And then there are moments when you can’t help but actually cheer out loud as their impact is significant.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers from the film. Only 2 weeks left. If you held out this long, just keep waiting. It’s so incredibly worth it. But if you MUST know….
Some random notes (WARNING SPOILERS – I’d highly recommend you wait till the film and experience all of this for yourself):
– Gollum looks amazing. If you want to scrutinize, yes, you can still tell he’s CG. He is one of the most convincing CG characters ever, and the animators really had a lot of fun with him. Very often you feel compassion and get lost in his character. Amazing work done here. They weren’t afraid to show him either, or hide him in shadow. You see him nice and clear and close up really early in the film.
– Treebeard – his scenes are a little slower, but when you see the Ents siege Isengard, hold on to your butts. Really nice humorous touches thrown into this sequence as well. 🙂 (watch for the Ent on fire)
– Gandalf vs. the Balrog – bring extra underwear
– Helms Deep – You WILL believe 10,000 orcs have sieged the people. Great human touches here. You really feel the plight of the people of Rohan. Great humor mixed in as well without feeling cheesy.
– Gimli – finally Gimli gets some nice moments in the spotlight. He is the obvious comic relief in the film. Lots of nice touches here and there. Like Gimli talking after taking a swig of ale, ale running down his beard. Nice and dwarfy. 🙂
– Legolas – Continues to be a total bad-ass. Watch as he makes mounting a horse be something the audience cheers for. 🙂
– Aragorn – his story definitely takes more prominence in this film. An important element to establish now, especially as we prepare for Return of the King. FOTR was definitely all about telling Frodo’s story. Two Towers is all about showing Frodo and Aragorn’s path.
– Arwen – She is only in the movie in dream or flashback sequences.
– Eowyn – A love triangle is hinted at, but it’s mostly from her end. Aragorn’s thoughts are always on Arwen.
– Frodo and Sam – their relationship (with Gollum in the middle) is portrayed perfectly. Frodo is the perfect tortured soul. He can completely relate with poor Smeagol. He knows what he must have went through. The audience can’t help but take pity on the little wretch…at least the Smeagol side of his personality. Sam only sees Gollum.
– Faramir – his role is very different in the movie than in the book. I look forward to see his arc expand a bit more in ROTK.
– The music – builds perfectly off the first film and expands to cover the new areas nicely. Great stuff.
Thanks to Josh for this great information! Remember, if you have any specific questions, please post them. – Rivka
