The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers has provoked another instalment of what seems to be a perpetual discussion about film criticism: is it necessary for a critic to be an expert, or at least well-versed in a movie’s subject matter in order to provide a valuable critique of the film?
There are those – whether Lord of the Rings aficionados who’ve read all three books multiple times or 8 Seconds fans who live and breath rodeo – who would argue that anyone who doesn’t know the story – or the sport – before they sit down to the movie is wholly unqualified to express a view. When one of my colleagues – an admitted newcomer to the sport of rodeo – dared to state his opinion that 8 Seconds is a shoddy film, he was pilloried by that film’s diehard fans, some claiming that he had no right to criticize because he couldn’t stay on a bucking bull – or was it a bunking bronco? – for eight seconds. Similarly, when another colleague wrote about The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers without first establishing himself as a lifelong Tolkein groupie, he too was dismissed by the experts.
Well, I’m here to tell you that movies playing at public theatres aren’t just intended for a select few insiders; they’re marketed widely and lots of folks who aren’t experts attend and are interested in issues other than whether the details of a particular chapter of the source material are replicated perfectly onscreen. Sure, there’s plenty to be said for expert analysis by insiders, butt here’s also an advantage to possessing the perspective of an intelligent insider.
I’m also here to tell you, as an admitted Lord of the Rings greenhorn who has never read a word of Tolkein – that this is a magnificent film, beautiful to look at and with a story that’s inspiring to follow. Even the newest of newcomers will catch onto the somewhat convoluted storyline in plenty of time to be swept away by the grandeur of the sights, the passion of the conflict, and the appeal of a fundamental good versus evil conflict. Combining live action and CGI better than any other film I’ve seen, director Peter Jackson has remarkably outdone the trilogy’s first film.
Little Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) continues his effort to take the all-powerful (and all-evil) ring to its destruction. With the Fellowship of multi-species helpers now split into several smaller groups, Frodo faces great trouble, and so does humanity. The evil Sarumon (Christopher Lee) has conspired with Sauron (hence the two towers of the title) to wipe out humans. So, as Frodo struggles his way toward Mordor, huge battles take place elsewhere. The movie jumps from one group of former Fellowship members to another, as each deals with awesome challenges.
Added to the story this time are a couple of fantastic CGI characters – a split-personality Gollum (voiced by Andy Serkis, who acted in the filming and then had his image digitally replaced by the animated being) and an even more impressive walking and talking tree. Both are exquisitely realized.
It is nothing short of amazing that a story with so few humans in it can possess such powerful humanity. The emotion feels entirely real – there are no cold Star Wars battles here, just thrilling, terrifying, dramatic confrontations that excite our emotions as much as our adrenal glands.
The storylines are woven together skilfully, the magnificent swooping aerial shots are breathtaking, and the overall experience is awesome. It runs nearly three-hours in length, but The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers never fails to fascinate and excite.
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