Lord of the rings: the two towers

[Tex -USMC- 0]

Saw this one today, and let me start by saying I am a serious fan of the books and the universe- I dont dress up like an orc or anything, but I have an intimate knowledge of what is going on.

The movie starts right off with almost no recap of The Fellowship; the only thing that could be considered so is an elaboration of Gandalf's struggle with the Balrog on the bridge of Kazadh-Duhm. You see what occurs after Gandalf and the Balrog fall into the abyss, although it isn't entirely clear that Gandalf survives (if what happens can be called surviving). From there, it cuts to Frodo and Sam, and after some traveling, Gollum is introduced. I had some doubts about the all digital creation of Gollum, what with the abortion that was Jar Jar Binks, but Gollum isn't at all annoying, indeed, he is possibly the most fascinating character of the entire movie.

The movie then cuts to the remnants of the Fellowship and their foot-pursuit of the orcs who captured Merry and Pippin. This part is almost exactly from the book, with the destruction of the orcs, the escape of the hobbits, and the meeting of Eomer and the company. The only difference is an inclusion of an introduction of the plight of the Rohirrim, including the destruction of a village, the death of Theoden's son Theodred, and Wormtounge's grip on Theoden. This is helpful to those who are less quick in following the plot or haven't read the books (you know who you are), although it kind of slows the pace down for a while.

From there, Aragorn and company reunite with Gandalf (now clad in white), the night encounter between Saruman and the company has been cut. Then the company heads to Edoras and frees Theoden from the grasp of Wormtounge and Saruman. This part has been a bit dramatised, in addition to the fact that Eomer is no longer part of the scene. A quick sidenote here: the part where the company lays aside their weapons before they head into Meduseld has been greatly simplified- it is not at all clear whether Aragorn carries Narsil reforged, and I frankly don't know why they seem to have cut that side plot out. Anyhow, they decide to head to Helm's Deep, but the change is that Eowyn and the women and children go with them instead of to Dunharrow.

A significant side plot has been added, detailing Aragorn's relationship with Arwen, through flashbacks to right before the company left Rivendell. Although well done, this segment was pumped up from a mere footnote in the books into a rather large segment of the film that obviously was edited in in favor of some other things that would have kept the movie close to the book. Anyhow, the journey to Helm's Deep is interrupted by an attack by Warg (read giant wolf/hyena looking things) Riders, and an odd suspenseful "dude, did he die?" moment when Aragorn falls off a cliff into a river (he survives, dont worry). Once they get to Helm's Deep, there's a quick runthrough of the defenses and the plight of the Rohirrim. Then Aragorn returns blah blah blah, and then something really odd happens. For some reason, Jackson has decided to add a portion where a company of Elven archers from Lorien, led by Haldir the elf comes to their aid. No frigging idea where this came from; it is probably one of the most inexplicable departures from the book. Anyhow, the battle of Helm's Deep is indeed spectacular, really great stuff, and is very true to the book considering the changes already made.

The end of the battle comes when Gandalf returns with Eomer's company (In case you were wondering what happened to him). The ommission here would be the fact that the magical forest is left out completely.

While all this is going on, Merry and Pippin meet Treebeard the Ent, who takes them to an Entmoot (meeting of Ents). The changes in this part are that the Ent Quickbeam is omitted, and at first the Ents decide to stay out of the war. This decision changes when Treebeard sees what Saruman did to a grove of trees he liked especially well. The Ents then proceed to smash Isengard, which is very cool to watch, especially if you enjoy seeing orcs die in unpleasant and spectacular fashion. Only change here is that the flood of Isengard comes from a dammed river above the stronghold in the mountains, rather than from the Isenmouthe to the south.

While all this is going on, Frodo, Gollum, and Sam head to Mordor. They reach the gate of the Morranon, and see that they can't get in through that way. This part is expanded a bit to include an extra sequence. They head south and through it Gollum is struggling with himself between loyalty to Frodo, who is the only person to have treated him kindly, and desire for the Ring. This produces a sequence that is in turn frightening, disturbing, and funny, in which Gollum has an argument with himself. This truly is a step towards digital characters with actual personalities that people actually care about and sympathise with, instead of hating with a passion (Jar Jar). Then the encounter with the Southron company heading to Mordor is very cool, complete with the huge mumakil (big elephants). Then Faramir is introduced, complete with the waterfall hideout, although the ending is much less feel-good, as Faramir seems to have developed a desire for the Ring, and takes Sam and Frodo to Osgiliath (?! that wasnt in the book). So anyways, they go to Osgiliath, complete with a cross-river shootout between Gondor and Mordor, and some flying Nazgul. Then Faramir finally lets Frodo go, and the movie ends with Gollum deciding to lure Frodo and Sam to their deaths at Cirith Ungol, although the only reference made is that "she will kill them".

The movie departs much more than I expected from the book's plot. This I expected, to a degree, but some of the changes surprised and baffled me- it's almost like Peter Jackson changed it just so he could put his own personal stamp on the Tolkien universe. Not to say the additions and alterations aren't well done, they are; Jackson is very talented and the cinematography and pacing are as breath taking as ever. It is just a little demoralising to see some rather Hollywood-type moments added to such a revered and well-loved story.

Despite my rantings, I really did enjoy this movie, despite the fact that it ends well before the book does and much has been changed. I know that some stuff had to be cut in the interest of length (the movie is still 3 hours and 10 minutes long). But that is a rather odd rationalization when the filmmakers then proceeded to add stuff that hadn't been there in the first place. It was a good, even great movie, but die hard fans might feel a little left out in the cold by the changes and omissions.

Bottom line: Go see it, you won't be dissapointed. Just be aware, if you are a fan, that some things that you may have really loved might be missing or changed (for instance, the Flotsam & Jetsam chapter, which I think is one of the best chapters in any book ever written, is completely cut out). See it, just be aware that it is not the Two Towers you read.

[Lazarus_Long 0]

I couldn't resist the temptation to read this post... Spoiler warning and all...

I'm going to see it this Sunday if all goes well.  I'm a big fan of the book. In fact I just re-read it recently so I can impress my friends by complaining about stuff they left out of the movie...

Question:  No wait dont tell me.... Bah nevermind, tell me anyway.  Is the story of Frodo & Sam separate like in the book? You know.. the first half of the Two Towers were about the rest of the Fellowship, the battle of Helms Deep, Isengard and all that, while the other half was all about Frodo & Sam (and Gollum).  It was all taking place at the same time, but how did the movie handle this?  Did it switch back and forth?

Edit: NVM, reading your post again I realized that you already had answered that for me: Starts out with Sam & Frodo --> The rest of the Fellowship story --> Then Frodo & Sam again to finish off the move.

[Tex -USMC- 0]

They switch back and forth, although the switches aren't too frequent. I think of it as sort of an episodic thing, where they stick with one story until it reaches a stopping point, then switch, then come back after they reach another stopping point, and so on and so forth.

[ale2999 0]

lol I had to check it out too....

gonna c it tmr morning!

[Longinius 1]

Tex, for ones I identify with what you are saying and agree 100%

I just wished I had seen the movie before I read the book...

[cam0flage 0]

I went to see the premiere and really liked the film - it was fantastic! Still, I think everyone should have read the book before watching the film. There's no way of understanding how magnificient story Tolkien has put together unless you read it.

One of the few small things that I didn't like about in the movie was how Faramir's character was drastically changed. In the book he was much more "nicer" to Frodo and Sam, and certainly less aware about the ring. If I remember right, Frodo himself decided to show the ring to Faramir, and he was not forced to do it with a blade on his neck like in the movie.

Another thing which came into my mind about Faramir, damn, those olifants looked great. Can't wait for the final battle in third episode.

[Longinius 1]

Yeah, I experienced the film as somewhat confusing, with little to no consideration taken into distances travelled and the timeframe of the adventures. There were also changes made to the book that I cannot for the life of me understand why they made.

And I definatly do not approve of how they paint Gimli out to be some kind of clown. Funny, Ok. Clown, certainly not. He spends more time tripping over, falling and laying on the ground than any other character. And dwarfs are supposed to stand firm on the ground...

[cam0flage 0]

Longinius, I totally agree with the things you said about Gimli. I don't understand why Jackson decided to make such a fool out of him when compared to the other characters. Some humour in a movie is ok, but when it all focuses around one character, it gets annoying, especially when we are talking about a film like LOTR. I'd rather see more of the decent humour like in episode one (re: "Your love for the halflings' leaf has clearly slowed your mind" or something like that) instead of a dwarf making a clown of himself.

By the way, if someone is new to the Middle Earth and wants to learn some background, David Day's "A Tolkien Bestiary" has wonderful descriptions of the flora & fauna and some really nice concept art too.

[DarkLight 0]

Isn't Gimli the one that has trouble keeping up with the other guys when they run great distances?

In the books that i read he is...

[cam0flage 0]

Yep DarkLight, it's in The Two Towers when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are tracking the orcs that took Merri & Pippin.

[cam0flage 0]

http://www.luchau.org/writing/elven_genetics.htm

For all you Tolkien fanatics! ... No, seriously, some people have way too much spare time.

[DarkLight 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (cam0flage @ Dec. 20 2002,13:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">http://www.luchau.org/writing/elven_genetics.htm

For all you Tolkien fanatics! ... No, seriously, some people have way too much spare time.<span id='postcolor'>

Dear god, how pathetic can someone possibly be!

[icemaniac_02 0]

didnt read anyone of those posts above mine, just saw the title and wanted to say DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN good movie, cant wair fot 3

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