Comments on The Two Towers movie - page 10

J Kennedy, Lansing Mi, USA

It is interesting to note that Mr. Jackson said he was going to stay faithful to the text. That he would keep "each book under his arm as he was filming. Obviously, he didn't mean Lord of the Rings. Most positive comments on the two movies (so far)center on the lush spectacular landscapes and awesome computer generated effects. Lots of "oooohs" and "aaaahs" and "it was so cool!" Unfortunately, beautiful backgrounds and Hollywood sparkle and glitz (no matter how slick the special effects can get)do not make a good story. And the story is what it's all about.

When you take a carefully crafted, incredibly intricate epic such as Tolkien's work, (which he spent a good deal of his life working on), and treat it in such a cavalier fashion, you do a diservice to the author and to the many readers who cherish the books.

It is understandable when, due to time constraints, a director must cut out certain scenes in order to fit the work into the limits imposed by a theatrical release. It is inexcusable when you alter the story line. Adding scenes that never took place, altering scenes until they bare little resemblance to the printed word, diminishing the role of key characters, while expanding the role of minor players, are just some of the liberties that Mr. Jackson took in the first two movies. I could site a laundry list of inaccuracies, omissions, plot changes, and the like. But you can do the same by simply watching the films with Tolkien's book firmly under your arm. Suffice it to say that whatever they are, Mr. Jackson's films are not faithful to the story that so many of us hold dear.

Alec Dean, Sydney, Australia

Seen it twice so far and really enjoyed it,though not quite as much as The Fellowship Of The Ring. Battle scene truly amazing. Disappointed with characterization of Treebeard and The Ents,sort of Disney version. Of course the books rule supreme but Peter Jackson has to be congratulated on a pretty incredible job I feel. Scenery amazing. Dramatic. Dark. Keeps reminding me of the dark forces pushing for war at this moment.

Simone Borri, Firenze, Italy

I am disappointed from the film. The beautiful Tolkien story and, overall, the well defined characters have been uncomprehensibly changed. Where is Faramir? And Gimly? Where is Tolkien's magic breath? Why so little space to Saruman? Only Gollum and Gandalf are recognizable... And all those changes to story...! I hope the Tolkien Society takes the distance from this film: it is NOT the Two Towers!

Ginger Rogers, Liverpool, United Kingdom

I thought The Two Towers film was the most mind blowing piece of cinema i have ever seen. The way Peter Jackson captured Gollum's heartbreaking struggle for his soul, is just amazing, although i was slightly disappointed in Faramir, in the way he has been adapted from the book, he was always my favourite Tolkien character.

Brendan, Kilcoyne , USA

I was disappointed. The first movie was far better, and more faithful to the book. TTT was more condescending to public tastes, ie, the overly long battle scenes, the cartoon-like ents, the increased emphasis on love stories, etc. I thought that the first movie was remarkably faithful to the book, and that some of the changes in TTT were unnecessary and no improvement to something which is almost beyond improvement, that is, Tolkien's original vision. I think he would not have approved of the making of these movies, and he would have been appalled by distortion and commercialization. I hope that the third movie is better. Overall, I think that the movies have not succeeded in capturing the desperation and hope and majesty and glory of the books. I LOVE THESE BOOKS! I first read them more than thirty years ago, and have read them many times since.

Arthano Aulendel, Ast-Ahe (Angamando), Middle-Earth (Northern Beleriand)

Good. Gollum, talking with himself is delicious! Gandalf flight in Moria is really great. This is the longest flight in free-falling (without a paraplane). But it could be more exciting. Faramir is as dull as the ents and Fangorn (Treebeard). In the book they are more clever.

katherine garcia, manila, philippines

i really like the movie. it is one of the greatst movies i have ever watched. it also helped me see tolkien's masterpiece in motion. because of this movie, i was able to appreciate more the novel.

Phillip Panczuk,: Lowell, Indiana, USA

I enjoyed The Two Towers in spite of itself. Like Gimli's reaction when he finds Merry and Pippin at Isengard, I am torn.. don't know whether to enjoy the movie or condemn it for taking such liberties with my favourite story.

annika, landskrona, sweden

The to towers was a great movie , but somewere in the mittle of it I feelt the feelowship faiting. I didn't like Gollum in this movie , liked him better in the first one . He was kind of cuter . I missed the speciel feeling between them all ,it was lost . But still I love it dearly....

Paula Sallinen Kouvola, Finland

Comment: Soooo great movie!!   It's fantastic!!!