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**Warning this review will most likely spoil parts of the film if you have not read the book (or seen the film), even if you have read the book though, there are a few differences**
As soon as the “Lord of the Rings” writing “burned” onto the screen I could feel my arms developing Goosebumps, and to top it off I had a grin like a Cheshire cat, I couldn’t help but grin, and I didn’t feel like trying to stop. Here I was 1 year later watching the sequel to what is in my opinion the best film ever made.
The film starts with a brief clip of what happened to Gandalf in Moria, from then on the story rolls on like a truck with a dead driver at the wheel, most likely from high cholesterol. Anyway as those who are book read, and those who have now seen the film will have seen, we follow the journeys of the split up parties on the trail to fulfil the quest.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hot on the heels of the Uruk-Hai that have hobbit-knapped Merry and Pippin. Merry and Pippin in the clutches of the Uruk-Hai, and Sam and Frodo who are trying desperately to take the ring into Mordor.
The first real event is Gollum joining the party of Sam and Frodo. Fans of the book will have noticed that the way in which they try to capture Gollum is quite different, but it results in the same outcome. Acting both under the influence of the ring and of his own deceit, Gollum acts as a guide for the hobbits in Mordor.
It was said that there was no way a human actor could have played Gollum, and I have to say that is probably true. However the job that they have made of the CGI Gollum is in a word. Incredible. There is absolutely no part in the film where you feel like scoffing and muttering “clearly a computer sprite”. In the close ups you can make out the pores in Gollum’s skin like you can in any of the human actors.
Indeed they have really gone to town with the character of Gollum, not merely content with giving him an avatar in the film, Gollum is transformed into a fully functioning character. This CGI has captured the true emotions of that laid down by Tolkien in the books. Even the schizophrenic conversations he has when out of sight are present and correct, cleverly using a cutting camera effect to switch between the two sides of his psyche.
However I felt slightly let down by the fact that this film seemed even less faithful to the books than the cinema version of the fellowship. The reaction of Faramir to the ring when he finds it on Frodo is entirely the opposite of that portrayed in the book. Yet I see no reason why they should feel the need to have him lust after the ring like Boromir, when he was wholly calm in the book.
Furthermore however I have to say that the presence of Liv Tyler in the film did not feel wooden or tiring. Whilst she had no mention in the book, her presence has been used to effect in explaining the struggle between Arwen and Aragorn, the point is just made and then her part is over. There is no lingering merely because she is a Hollywood star, which is reassuring.
The film also emphasises the struggle between Frodo and the ring. Whilst Frodo has carried the ring for only a short time (relative to the book) he is already under its spell. This has given Jackson the ability to really hit home the destructive nature of the ring. The juxtaposition between the care-free Frodo of The Shire and that of the Frodo we see now is quite startling, and it emphasises just how easily the ring corrupts even the most innocent of hearts.
The appearance of Treebeard was heartening. However I question Jackson’s judgement about using John Rhys-Davis’ to voice his part. For me the voice, although mixed to some degree, still sounded too similar to Gimli to allow the character of Treebeard to shine through. A deeper voice, which commanded more wisdom, would have been more suitable.
The character of Gríma Wormtongue is played flawlessly by Brad Douriff, giving a suitably slimy persona to the character, helped to no end by whatever it is that is in his hair, giving it, it’s greasy appearance. The lies and deception of Wormtongue give rise to a powerful and stirring scene, in which Saruman’s possession of Theoden is exorcised.
The battle of Helm’s Deep is undoubtedly the highlight of the film, the overwhelming odds against the Rohirrim combined with the death of Haldir, has led to the capture of a stirring and adrenaline soaked battle. With the characters themselves beginning to show doubt and despair about their safety, you can’t help but see the battle turning in the favour of Saruman’s army.
Well that’s my rabble over. And I have to say that I really enjoyed this film, as I expected I would. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, as it is an awesome action film as well as a great addition to the film’s now illustrious history. However I do still feel that the Fellowship of the ring has something slightly more “magical” about it.
As soon as the “Lord of the Rings” writing “burned” onto the screen I could feel my arms developing Goosebumps, and to top it off I had a grin like a Cheshire cat, I couldn’t help but grin, and I didn’t feel like trying to stop. Here I was 1 year later watching the sequel to what is in my opinion the best film ever made.
The film starts with a brief clip of what happened to Gandalf in Moria, from then on the story rolls on like a truck with a dead driver at the wheel, most likely from high cholesterol. Anyway as those who are book read, and those who have now seen the film will have seen, we follow the journeys of the split up parties on the trail to fulfil the quest.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hot on the heels of the Uruk-Hai that have hobbit-knapped Merry and Pippin. Merry and Pippin in the clutches of the Uruk-Hai, and Sam and Frodo who are trying desperately to take the ring into Mordor.
The first real event is Gollum joining the party of Sam and Frodo. Fans of the book will have noticed that the way in which they try to capture Gollum is quite different, but it results in the same outcome. Acting both under the influence of the ring and of his own deceit, Gollum acts as a guide for the hobbits in Mordor.
It was said that there was no way a human actor could have played Gollum, and I have to say that is probably true. However the job that they have made of the CGI Gollum is in a word. Incredible. There is absolutely no part in the film where you feel like scoffing and muttering “clearly a computer sprite”. In the close ups you can make out the pores in Gollum’s skin like you can in any of the human actors.
Indeed they have really gone to town with the character of Gollum, not merely content with giving him an avatar in the film, Gollum is transformed into a fully functioning character. This CGI has captured the true emotions of that laid down by Tolkien in the books. Even the schizophrenic conversations he has when out of sight are present and correct, cleverly using a cutting camera effect to switch between the two sides of his psyche.
However I felt slightly let down by the fact that this film seemed even less faithful to the books than the cinema version of the fellowship. The reaction of Faramir to the ring when he finds it on Frodo is entirely the opposite of that portrayed in the book. Yet I see no reason why they should feel the need to have him lust after the ring like Boromir, when he was wholly calm in the book.
Furthermore however I have to say that the presence of Liv Tyler in the film did not feel wooden or tiring. Whilst she had no mention in the book, her presence has been used to effect in explaining the struggle between Arwen and Aragorn, the point is just made and then her part is over. There is no lingering merely because she is a Hollywood star, which is reassuring.
The film also emphasises the struggle between Frodo and the ring. Whilst Frodo has carried the ring for only a short time (relative to the book) he is already under its spell. This has given Jackson the ability to really hit home the destructive nature of the ring. The juxtaposition between the care-free Frodo of The Shire and that of the Frodo we see now is quite startling, and it emphasises just how easily the ring corrupts even the most innocent of hearts.
The appearance of Treebeard was heartening. However I question Jackson’s judgement about using John Rhys-Davis’ to voice his part. For me the voice, although mixed to some degree, still sounded too similar to Gimli to allow the character of Treebeard to shine through. A deeper voice, which commanded more wisdom, would have been more suitable.
The character of Gríma Wormtongue is played flawlessly by Brad Douriff, giving a suitably slimy persona to the character, helped to no end by whatever it is that is in his hair, giving it, it’s greasy appearance. The lies and deception of Wormtongue give rise to a powerful and stirring scene, in which Saruman’s possession of Theoden is exorcised.
The battle of Helm’s Deep is undoubtedly the highlight of the film, the overwhelming odds against the Rohirrim combined with the death of Haldir, has led to the capture of a stirring and adrenaline soaked battle. With the characters themselves beginning to show doubt and despair about their safety, you can’t help but see the battle turning in the favour of Saruman’s army.
Well that’s my rabble over. And I have to say that I really enjoyed this film, as I expected I would. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, as it is an awesome action film as well as a great addition to the film’s now illustrious history. However I do still feel that the Fellowship of the ring has something slightly more “magical” about it.
cookie monster wrote:
> However I felt slightly let down by the fact that this film seemed
> even less faithful to the books than the cinema version of the
> fellowship. The reaction of Faramir to the ring when he finds it on
> Frodo is entirely the opposite of that portrayed in the book. Yet I
> see no reason why they should feel the need to have him lust after the
> ring like Boromir, when he was wholly calm in the book.
I had these same concern when I watched the film. However, after reading Jackson interviews, I can understand why he felt it neccesary to make this change, and I accept his reasons.
From greencine.com:
<< In the book, for example, Faramir is very pure and very noble, but here in the film, he's got this evil touch. He's even tempted by the ring.
Peter Jackson: "For a short time, yeah. We made that change, just to use that example -- and this is really where being a filmmaker differs from being a writer. You make decisions as a filmmaker and, rightly or wrongly, you change things if you think they need to be changed. We wanted the episode with Faramir in this particular film to have a certain degree of tension. Frodo and Sam were captured. Their journey had become more complicated by the fact that they are prisoners. Which they are in the book for a brief period of time. But then, very quickly in the book, Tolkien sort of backs away from there and, as you say, he reveals Faramir to be very pure. At one point, Faramir says, "Look, I wouldn't even touch the ring if I saw it lying on the side of the road."
For us, as filmmakers, that sort of thing creates a bit of a problem because we've spent a lot of time in the last film and in this one to establish this ring as incredibly powerful. Then to suddenly come to a character that says, "Oh, I'm not interested in that," to suddenly go against everything that we've established ourselves is sort of going against our own rules. We certainly acknowledge that Faramir should not do what Boromir did and that he ultimately has the strength to say, "No, you go on your way and I understand." We wanted to make it slightly harder, to have a little more tension than there was in the book. But that's where that sort of decision comes from.
The reality is that The Two Towers is the slightest of the books, I think. We kind of have all the memorable moments of the book in the film and what we've done is to actually enhance and add bits of story that weren't in the book. For instance, we have Frodo and Sam arguing with each other at one point in the movie so that you can see that the tension of what they're doing is getting to them. And that wasn't in the book, but we wanted to develop these characters a bit".
> However I felt slightly let down by the fact that this film seemed
> even less faithful to the books than the cinema version of the
> fellowship. The reaction of Faramir to the ring when he finds it on
> Frodo is entirely the opposite of that portrayed in the book. Yet I
> see no reason why they should feel the need to have him lust after the
> ring like Boromir, when he was wholly calm in the book.
I had these same concern when I watched the film. However, after reading Jackson interviews, I can understand why he felt it neccesary to make this change, and I accept his reasons.
From greencine.com:
<< In the book, for example, Faramir is very pure and very noble, but here in the film, he's got this evil touch. He's even tempted by the ring.
Peter Jackson: "For a short time, yeah. We made that change, just to use that example -- and this is really where being a filmmaker differs from being a writer. You make decisions as a filmmaker and, rightly or wrongly, you change things if you think they need to be changed. We wanted the episode with Faramir in this particular film to have a certain degree of tension. Frodo and Sam were captured. Their journey had become more complicated by the fact that they are prisoners. Which they are in the book for a brief period of time. But then, very quickly in the book, Tolkien sort of backs away from there and, as you say, he reveals Faramir to be very pure. At one point, Faramir says, "Look, I wouldn't even touch the ring if I saw it lying on the side of the road."
For us, as filmmakers, that sort of thing creates a bit of a problem because we've spent a lot of time in the last film and in this one to establish this ring as incredibly powerful. Then to suddenly come to a character that says, "Oh, I'm not interested in that," to suddenly go against everything that we've established ourselves is sort of going against our own rules. We certainly acknowledge that Faramir should not do what Boromir did and that he ultimately has the strength to say, "No, you go on your way and I understand." We wanted to make it slightly harder, to have a little more tension than there was in the book. But that's where that sort of decision comes from.
The reality is that The Two Towers is the slightest of the books, I think. We kind of have all the memorable moments of the book in the film and what we've done is to actually enhance and add bits of story that weren't in the book. For instance, we have Frodo and Sam arguing with each other at one point in the movie so that you can see that the tension of what they're doing is getting to them. And that wasn't in the book, but we wanted to develop these characters a bit".
My brohters godfather invented those books.
And Horrible History.
Although Goosebumps is terrible.....
And Horrible History.
Although Goosebumps is terrible.....
It was microsoft word that changed it, not anything to do with R.L Stines books.
Thanks for the compliment on my writing style. Always appreciated.
Thanks for the compliment on my writing style. Always appreciated.
As soon as the “Lord of the Rings” writing “burned” onto the screen I
> could feel my arms developing Goosebumps, and to top it off I had a
> grin like a Cheshire cat, I couldn’t help but grin, and I didn’t feel
> like trying to stop.
Why Goosebumps and not goosebumps? Do you have shares in Scholastics range of books by RL Stine or something, so that every time you write 'Goosebumps' over 'goosebumps', you get paid 10p or something? I mean, I can see the appeal, don't get me wrong or anything...
So, where did you pick up this scam, eh? :P
Seriously, if I were interested in LOTR, I would read this review over many others, as from the first two paragraphs that I read to gain an oversight of what your writing style is like, it was well-written. Just a pity that LOTR sucks (in my opinion, of course).
Keep it up mate ;)
> could feel my arms developing Goosebumps, and to top it off I had a
> grin like a Cheshire cat, I couldn’t help but grin, and I didn’t feel
> like trying to stop.
Why Goosebumps and not goosebumps? Do you have shares in Scholastics range of books by RL Stine or something, so that every time you write 'Goosebumps' over 'goosebumps', you get paid 10p or something? I mean, I can see the appeal, don't get me wrong or anything...
So, where did you pick up this scam, eh? :P
Seriously, if I were interested in LOTR, I would read this review over many others, as from the first two paragraphs that I read to gain an oversight of what your writing style is like, it was well-written. Just a pity that LOTR sucks (in my opinion, of course).
Keep it up mate ;)
**Warning this review will most likely spoil parts of the film if you have not read the book (or seen the film), even if you have read the book though, there are a few differences**
As soon as the “Lord of the Rings” writing “burned” onto the screen I could feel my arms developing Goosebumps, and to top it off I had a grin like a Cheshire cat, I couldn’t help but grin, and I didn’t feel like trying to stop. Here I was 1 year later watching the sequel to what is in my opinion the best film ever made.
The film starts with a brief clip of what happened to Gandalf in Moria, from then on the story rolls on like a truck with a dead driver at the wheel, most likely from high cholesterol. Anyway as those who are book read, and those who have now seen the film will have seen, we follow the journeys of the split up parties on the trail to fulfil the quest.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hot on the heels of the Uruk-Hai that have hobbit-knapped Merry and Pippin. Merry and Pippin in the clutches of the Uruk-Hai, and Sam and Frodo who are trying desperately to take the ring into Mordor.
The first real event is Gollum joining the party of Sam and Frodo. Fans of the book will have noticed that the way in which they try to capture Gollum is quite different, but it results in the same outcome. Acting both under the influence of the ring and of his own deceit, Gollum acts as a guide for the hobbits in Mordor.
It was said that there was no way a human actor could have played Gollum, and I have to say that is probably true. However the job that they have made of the CGI Gollum is in a word. Incredible. There is absolutely no part in the film where you feel like scoffing and muttering “clearly a computer sprite”. In the close ups you can make out the pores in Gollum’s skin like you can in any of the human actors.
Indeed they have really gone to town with the character of Gollum, not merely content with giving him an avatar in the film, Gollum is transformed into a fully functioning character. This CGI has captured the true emotions of that laid down by Tolkien in the books. Even the schizophrenic conversations he has when out of sight are present and correct, cleverly using a cutting camera effect to switch between the two sides of his psyche.
However I felt slightly let down by the fact that this film seemed even less faithful to the books than the cinema version of the fellowship. The reaction of Faramir to the ring when he finds it on Frodo is entirely the opposite of that portrayed in the book. Yet I see no reason why they should feel the need to have him lust after the ring like Boromir, when he was wholly calm in the book.
Furthermore however I have to say that the presence of Liv Tyler in the film did not feel wooden or tiring. Whilst she had no mention in the book, her presence has been used to effect in explaining the struggle between Arwen and Aragorn, the point is just made and then her part is over. There is no lingering merely because she is a Hollywood star, which is reassuring.
The film also emphasises the struggle between Frodo and the ring. Whilst Frodo has carried the ring for only a short time (relative to the book) he is already under its spell. This has given Jackson the ability to really hit home the destructive nature of the ring. The juxtaposition between the care-free Frodo of The Shire and that of the Frodo we see now is quite startling, and it emphasises just how easily the ring corrupts even the most innocent of hearts.
The appearance of Treebeard was heartening. However I question Jackson’s judgement about using John Rhys-Davis’ to voice his part. For me the voice, although mixed to some degree, still sounded too similar to Gimli to allow the character of Treebeard to shine through. A deeper voice, which commanded more wisdom, would have been more suitable.
The character of Gríma Wormtongue is played flawlessly by Brad Douriff, giving a suitably slimy persona to the character, helped to no end by whatever it is that is in his hair, giving it, it’s greasy appearance. The lies and deception of Wormtongue give rise to a powerful and stirring scene, in which Saruman’s possession of Theoden is exorcised.
The battle of Helm’s Deep is undoubtedly the highlight of the film, the overwhelming odds against the Rohirrim combined with the death of Haldir, has led to the capture of a stirring and adrenaline soaked battle. With the characters themselves beginning to show doubt and despair about their safety, you can’t help but see the battle turning in the favour of Saruman’s army.
Well that’s my rabble over. And I have to say that I really enjoyed this film, as I expected I would. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, as it is an awesome action film as well as a great addition to the film’s now illustrious history. However I do still feel that the Fellowship of the ring has something slightly more “magical” about it.
As soon as the “Lord of the Rings” writing “burned” onto the screen I could feel my arms developing Goosebumps, and to top it off I had a grin like a Cheshire cat, I couldn’t help but grin, and I didn’t feel like trying to stop. Here I was 1 year later watching the sequel to what is in my opinion the best film ever made.
The film starts with a brief clip of what happened to Gandalf in Moria, from then on the story rolls on like a truck with a dead driver at the wheel, most likely from high cholesterol. Anyway as those who are book read, and those who have now seen the film will have seen, we follow the journeys of the split up parties on the trail to fulfil the quest.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hot on the heels of the Uruk-Hai that have hobbit-knapped Merry and Pippin. Merry and Pippin in the clutches of the Uruk-Hai, and Sam and Frodo who are trying desperately to take the ring into Mordor.
The first real event is Gollum joining the party of Sam and Frodo. Fans of the book will have noticed that the way in which they try to capture Gollum is quite different, but it results in the same outcome. Acting both under the influence of the ring and of his own deceit, Gollum acts as a guide for the hobbits in Mordor.
It was said that there was no way a human actor could have played Gollum, and I have to say that is probably true. However the job that they have made of the CGI Gollum is in a word. Incredible. There is absolutely no part in the film where you feel like scoffing and muttering “clearly a computer sprite”. In the close ups you can make out the pores in Gollum’s skin like you can in any of the human actors.
Indeed they have really gone to town with the character of Gollum, not merely content with giving him an avatar in the film, Gollum is transformed into a fully functioning character. This CGI has captured the true emotions of that laid down by Tolkien in the books. Even the schizophrenic conversations he has when out of sight are present and correct, cleverly using a cutting camera effect to switch between the two sides of his psyche.
However I felt slightly let down by the fact that this film seemed even less faithful to the books than the cinema version of the fellowship. The reaction of Faramir to the ring when he finds it on Frodo is entirely the opposite of that portrayed in the book. Yet I see no reason why they should feel the need to have him lust after the ring like Boromir, when he was wholly calm in the book.
Furthermore however I have to say that the presence of Liv Tyler in the film did not feel wooden or tiring. Whilst she had no mention in the book, her presence has been used to effect in explaining the struggle between Arwen and Aragorn, the point is just made and then her part is over. There is no lingering merely because she is a Hollywood star, which is reassuring.
The film also emphasises the struggle between Frodo and the ring. Whilst Frodo has carried the ring for only a short time (relative to the book) he is already under its spell. This has given Jackson the ability to really hit home the destructive nature of the ring. The juxtaposition between the care-free Frodo of The Shire and that of the Frodo we see now is quite startling, and it emphasises just how easily the ring corrupts even the most innocent of hearts.
The appearance of Treebeard was heartening. However I question Jackson’s judgement about using John Rhys-Davis’ to voice his part. For me the voice, although mixed to some degree, still sounded too similar to Gimli to allow the character of Treebeard to shine through. A deeper voice, which commanded more wisdom, would have been more suitable.
The character of Gríma Wormtongue is played flawlessly by Brad Douriff, giving a suitably slimy persona to the character, helped to no end by whatever it is that is in his hair, giving it, it’s greasy appearance. The lies and deception of Wormtongue give rise to a powerful and stirring scene, in which Saruman’s possession of Theoden is exorcised.
The battle of Helm’s Deep is undoubtedly the highlight of the film, the overwhelming odds against the Rohirrim combined with the death of Haldir, has led to the capture of a stirring and adrenaline soaked battle. With the characters themselves beginning to show doubt and despair about their safety, you can’t help but see the battle turning in the favour of Saruman’s army.
Well that’s my rabble over. And I have to say that I really enjoyed this film, as I expected I would. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, as it is an awesome action film as well as a great addition to the film’s now illustrious history. However I do still feel that the Fellowship of the ring has something slightly more “magical” about it.