When people ask what are your top five favourite films I will always give this in there. Always a controversial one as it’s the middle film of an epic saga, adapted from JRR Tolkien’s marvellous universe by the genius that is Peter Jackson.
I first read the Lord of the Rings book when I was 9 years old. A tough old read at that age too and when I heard that there were films coming out of it I couldn’t wait! Back at that stage The Return of the King was my favourite, I mean it had the biggest battle and the good guys kicked some serious butt.
However, when I first watched The Two Towers I was utterly blown away. Everything about it was perfect the special effects, the acting, the direction, the scenery. I could go on and on about how Ian Mcellan made the perfect Gandalf, how Sean Austin gave a heart warming performance, how Vigo Mortensen was the hero everyone needed and how bad*** Orlando Bloom was as Legolas. That’s just to name a few of the wonderfully selected cast!
The fellowship is broken, the fate of the world hangs by a thread. The ring is with Frodo and Sam, Merry and Pippin have been kidnapped by Uru Kai and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli give chase… “they’re taking the Hobbits to Isengard”. Jackson encapsulates the wonder of the fantasy realm with a huge help of the New Zealand countryside. Plenty of bird view shots and panning shots allow the watcher to imagine themselves running along with our heroes and defeating Uru Kai.
In the Fellowship we were given a snippet of how Jackson would stage a huge battle and then we were then given a full version in the Two Towers! Nothing of this magnitude was attempted before! The CGI to this day still competes with he best. Although not canon, the Lorien Elves turning up to aid the Men of Rohan was perfect. Everyone wanted to see the elves in battle and it gave a heartwarming gesture to the hope of survival… you also knew that they were all doomed.
All in all this film is still my favourite! I hope I haven’t given too many spoilers away to those watching it for the first time… I envy you!!
Redwoods Reviews 