Sequels are strange things.  They are usually not as good as their predecessors and sometimes down right horrible.  Some should have never been made and some, on rare occasions, are better than the picture they follow.  This second installment of the Tolkien trilogy is a worthy sequel and in some respects, such as special effects and epic cinematography, it surpasses the first story. 

The Two Towers picks right up where The Fellowship of the Rings leaves off.  Frodo, played convincingly again by Elijah Wood, is on his quest to destroy the Ring of Power.  His journey is fraught with perils equal to any 40's movie serial or pulp novel.  Added to the peril is the Ring's increasing domination to take over poor Frodo's will.  Again he has Sam with him to keep him focused and Sean Astin does the character justice by acting as Frodo's conscience and strength.  The villains are the same and even more sinister than before with added antagonists lending their evil hands. 

This picture has THOUSANDS of evil soldiers, hundreds of good guys, and a battle that is the most spectacular event in motion picture history.  I have seen many, many movies but I have NEVER seen anything on this grand scale and with this scope of cinematography.  It was a massive battle, photographed from many angles and perspectives.  HUGE!!!  But the milestone of this picture was the reintroduction of Golem, the deformed hobbit-like creature that lost its humanity because of its lust for the Ring.  This creature is animated in a way that will make even the most avid movie viewer forget that it's a special effect.  It/he takes on a personality that has the audience riveted.  We feel both pity and empathy for him.  And he's not just on screen for five or ten minutes.  No, we get to "know" him throughout most of the picture as he becomes a major figure. 

Since I saw the first installment in December of last year, I couldn't wait for this one.  I wasn't disappointed one bit though I must say that it was just a little bit of a letdown from last time.  It was a little long and there was more dialog than before.  Also, like last time I had a problem understanding what they were saying from time to time.  That aside, it was Hollywood at its best and the third story has a very high mark to aim at.  I feel confident that it WILL be a bullseye. 

"Is that the BEST you can do???" 

RECOMMENDATION: How can you see the first picture and not find out "what happened?"  You need to know and you WILL go see this picture to find out!  I loved it! 

TWO SEQUELLED BUT NOT QUITE EQUALLED, TOWERING THUMBS UP!!! 

Movie Review © 2002 by Terry Anderson