Plot:



The saga continues: Hobbits Frodo and Sam press on to Mordor in the company of the mysterious Gollum. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli travel to the troubled Rohan, while Merry and Pippin discover a new ally in the shape of Treebeard the tree-shepherd.



My Review:



With the success and thrill of the first instalment, and beginning and increasing number of fans, its no wonder why the audiences where aching for this next piece of the Lord of Rings franchise. Peter Jackson has always strengthened the fact that The Two Towers is "the second act" of his epic undertaking, and perhaps the true greatness of the middle chapter will only be clear when viewed as part of the whole story. Nonetheless, some may argue it is not as good as the first, however it's just as pleasing and adrenaline rushing as far as fantasy action films go.



Picking up from where the fantastic Fellowship left off, this next chapter comes in to be a considerably darker film. With Frodo (Wood) falling further under the weight of the Ring, and with some spectacularly shot hallucinations, while Saruman (Christopher Lee) wreaks even more havoc. There's also the first full appearance of the sinister and the complex Gollum, combined with the brilliance of computer trickery and crispy vocals from Andy Serkis.



Other newcomers include the justifiably chagrined brother of the recently deceased Boromir, known as Faramir (David Wenham), and Éowyn (Miranda Otto), who spends much of her time radiating winsome glances in subtlety in the direction of Aragorn (Mortensen). In due course, the plot and its' complexities become more consistent, setting the action up for the forthcoming finale, The Return Of The King. An fantastically executed opening which sees Frodo troubled by dreams about the demise of Gandalf, through to the climactic Battle Of Helm's Deep, which is nothing short of unimaginable. This is brilliant stuff with a great and increasing anticipation. Dir. Jackson cleverly constitutes the louder, brasher sequences with some heart-string-tugging moments, Aragorn and Arwen's troubled relationship of course; and the return of Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen), in his best role ever.



However, those who still believe that the trilogy is beyond criticism may find their views challenged by The Two Towers. It's just as long as the first film, but gets the heroes no closer to a final victory. This act converges more on the part where it concerns them, the problems that come into pass and the choices they make.



Verdict:



Darker and funnier, the ring makes its slow journey towards the everlasting danger, while the Fellowship try to rekindle and understand the choices they make. With great action, better then Fellowship in my opinion; and some truly moving and emotional scenes. This franchise is working its way up and setting standards for the future fantasy action films. 10/10