Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Review

The second part of the incredible trilogy picks up with the different characters heading in different directions. We see three different stories unfolding in The Two Towers. This film is a lot darker than Fellowship of the Ring, as Middle Earth heads into a battle at Helms Deep.

The three different stories are a good way to approach this film as we keep going back and forwards between them, but with long enough gaps so that we aren’t getting bored. It seems as soon as you start wondering about some of the characters they are back and you see what is happening with them. We are also introduced to many new characters who instantly fit in with the ones we are already so familar with.

Frodo along with Sam (and Gollum) continue in their quest to destroy the one ring by heading towards Mordor. This is not an easy path and we see some brilliant scenes as Gollum and Smeagol talk to one another . . . yes that is the same “person”. As this journey goes on we see the friendship grow even stronger between Frodo and Sam but we also see how much Gollum is going to try and ripe them apart. We also meet Faramir, the younger brother of Boromir but is he the same as his brother? Or can he resist the ring?

Aragon, Legolas and Gimli are trying to rescue Merry and Pippin, which doesn’t work out as expected. But an old friend in back, Gandalf. More powerful than before and even more determined to complete the quest and help save Middle Earth. But he must help King Theoden who is being controlled by Saurman. This then leads everyone to Helms Deep and an incredible battle!

We also get more of a background of the love story between Aragorn and Arwen. Something we didn’t really see much of in FotR, so I think this is a very good building block. Showing the audience how deeply they love one another.

Merry and Pippin are placed in the care of Treebeard who loves to talk and ramble on about random things. Much to the annoyance of Merry when he is trying to help his friends. This give us a look into another race in Middle Earth and just how deep it goes . . . A talking tree, but is he the only one? Of course not the trees love to talk! A nice concept when you think about the wind blowing the leaves, ok maybe a little off track for the film review!

This part of the story really is for linking the first and third films together, but I really do feel that the battle of Helms Deep is my favorite battle scene in the trilogy. When the Elves arrive to fight alongside men once again, the way Legolas and Gimli start their battle on who can kill the most Orc’s it really does at a lovely touch to the film. Not forgetting Legolas and his cool stunts, he is an action Elf don’t forget! But honestly I really do love the battle scene I love the long build up and Aragon’s incredible return by opening both of the doors (I am sure fellow Ringers will appreciate that too) and Legolas telling him he looks terrible! I really do feel that small moments like is what makes this film (and franchise) so special. It feels more personal and that’s when you really care about characters.

While I had been a huge fan of Orlando Bloom after FotR (don’t judge me, it was my age) I really did fall in love with Aragon in this film. Honestly I thought Viggo was just amazing and started to watch his earlier films and followed his career ever since. But the collective cast performance for this film is just incredible, they really did all band together and create something magical.

I actually found this review very hard to put together, due to the number of times I have seen this film but also trying not to mention the other two films (which I know I have totally failed at). It’s hard to separate them especially when you have seen them as many times as I have, I actually couldn’t begin to imagine what high number that would be! The comedy moments and lines are a joy to watch along with the very serious battle.

How do you rate The Two Towers?