Movie Review: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The next installment of Peter Jackson’s medieval masterpieces returns in the two towers. Since there are two towers, there are two reviewers in another bonus roommate edition!

Tim: In this one, the acting is much better, with the actors really putting on the costumes of their characters and getting into their respective niches. The story splits into three perspectives but it doesn’t prevent the story from taking its journey forward. Frodo and Sam’s friendship reaches new heights and you really get to admire the bond that they have. Elijah Wood will be forever type-casted for me as will Sean Astin. The bond’s chemistry is furthered by catalyst Smeagle played by Andy Serkis. Sometimes you side with Frodo, other times with Sam, and you really don’t know what to do about Smeagle. This conflict keeps the audience thinking and that’s only one part of the story that’s being told.

Jon: This is my favorite of the three movies and I personally prefer to focus in on the story arc that involves Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn. I think the battle against the orcs riding their beasts is very well done and I think the battle of Helm’s Deep may be my all-time favorite large army battle in all cinema despite some flaws we will discuss in the spoiler edition. I also like the Ents. Especially the one that dunks his flaming head in the water.

Tim: The trio of Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn is tight-knit and loyal to one another, all sharing a band-of-brothers mentality. The three facilitate some of the best action scenes of the movie and they are very impressive. The set design and visuals are once again premium, introducing the audience to the world of middle earth and making you a part of it.

Jon: I also like the spirit of competition between Gimli and Legolas. It provides comedic effect to help counter the seriousness of the events going on.

Tim: As I said, it’s filled with scenes that make you think and there’s plenty of emotional and impactful dialogue that’s said that really touches your heart and makes you admire the story all the more. Easily my favorite part of the film is Sam’s monologue.

Jon: Don’t give up on your dreams because the people who you want to be could have turned back but didn’t. There is good in today’s world. It’s just hidden behind all the bad news. If there wasn’t any good left, then there’d be nothing worth fighting for.

Once again, if you’re new to my blog,  I’ve always ranked movies on a scale of 0-100 (I don’t know why, I just always have). Here’s the grading scale.

 90-100  It’s a great movie and definitely one worth buying. (Real Steel, Miracle, Scrooge, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Green Mile)

80-89   It was a pretty good movie and definitely one worth seeing, but it doesn’t quite scratch my top ten percentile. (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Poseidon, Iron Man, Lone Survivor, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)

70-79   It’s okay but I’ve seen better. It has its moments, but it has its flaws, too. (The Usual Suspects, 21 Jump Street, Escape Plan, Captain America: The First Avenger, Dawn of the Dead)

60-69   It’s got plenty wrong with it but I still got enjoyment out of this one. (Pacific Rim, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Disaster Movie)

50-59   This movie isn’t intolerable but it’s not blowing my mind either. I’m trying really hard to get some sort of enjoyment out of this. (Along Came Polly, Aliens, Alien Resurrection, Full Metal Jacket, Thor)

40-49   This movie is just mediocre. It’s not doing anything other than the bare minimal, so morbidly boring that sometimes I’m actually angry I watched this. (Patriot Games, The Great Gatsby, Pitch Black, Alien, Serendipity)

30-39   Definitely worse than mediocre, the 30’s ironically define the 1930’s, full of depression, lack of accomplishments, poverty and just so dumb. (The Contract, Pride and Prejudice, Redemption)

20-29   What did I just watch? Cliches, stupidity, nothingness, did I mention stupidity? Just…wow. (The Sum of All Fears, Thor: The Dark World)

0-19      Watching this movie resulted in one or more of the following: seizure, loss of brain cells, falling asleep/unconsciousness, feel you wasted your time/day, accomplished nothing for you, left the movie knowing less about it then you did going into it, constantly asking yourself why you came to see this movie, or near-death experience. In short, staring at a wall was just as entertaining as watching this movie. This movie deserved a sticker or a label that said, “WARNING: EXTREME AMOUNT OF SUCKAGE.” (Midnight Cowboy, Dark Fury, Alien 3)

My score for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: 95.

The film perfects set and costume design, story line, and character connection. That coupled with some memorable moments and a fantastic score shoots this movie into the lore of must-buys.

*SPOILER ALERT* IF YOU DON’T WANT THE MOVIE SPOILED, STOP READING!!!

*SPOILER’S EDITION

Tim: The architectural planning of Helm’s Deep is questionable. As someone who took architectural classes in high school because I originally planned to become an architect, I don’t understand why you would put the drain under the wall like that. Aside from the hole making the stability of the wall weaker, it also would make the ground underneath damp and if there was a heavy enough storm, I’m sure the wall would collapse. Good thing it was only raining during that final battle.

Jon: There are a plethora of ways they could have built this aside from the way they built it. They could have had the water drain behind the wall, go to the water pools in the caves, dug a ditch in the side of the mountain… I’m pretty sure your brother could have built it better.

Tim: My brother is a Lego mastermind and undoubtedly could have built it better. You also make a fort made out of solid rock and then put a wooden door on the front? Didn’t anyone think “Hhmm, maybe we should leave this here” while they were digging that section out?