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Movies / On DVD / The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

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Reviews Counted:215

Fresh:207

Rotten:8

Average Rating:8.4/10

Consensus: The Two Towers continues the LOTR trilogy with few missteps.

Runtime: 3 hrs 34 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: Picking up where the first film left off, Peter Jackson's THE TWO TOWERS throws the remaining members of the Fellowship into the scattered chaos of Middle-earth, now fully under siege by the forces... Picking up where the first film left off, Peter Jackson's THE TWO TOWERS throws the remaining members of the Fellowship into the scattered chaos of Middle-earth, now fully under siege by the forces of Sauron. While Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) journey to the dreaded Mordor, Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) are held captive by orcs, and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) search for their abducted companions. Soon Frodo and Sam are joined by the sulking and duplicitous Gollum (portrayed by the voice and motion-captured acting of Andy Serkis), who becomes their guide through the barren lands leading to Mount Doom. Meanwhile Merry and Pippin encounter the looming Treebeard (voiced by Rhys-Davies) and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli find themselves in the land of Rohan, accompanied by an old friend. As the tale continues, each scenario becomes more perilous, and fierce battles erupt at both Isengard, home of the treacherous Saruman (Christopher Lee), and the massive Helm's Deep. After masterfully setting up the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien in THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, Jackson continues the trilogy with the increasingly dark and battle-filled TWO TOWERS without skipping a beat. Although the director takes a few more liberties in adapting the second installment, he skillfully cuts from one scenario to the next, creating a tightly woven tapestry with the various storylines. Joining the impressive cast this time around are Miranda Otto as Éowyn; Bernard Hill as her father, King Théoden; Brad Dourif as the aptly named Grima Wormtongue; Karl Urban as Éomer; David Wenham as Faramir; and Serkis under the remarkable CGI facade of Gollum. An intense epic that features one jaw-dropping sequence after another, THE TWO TOWERS more than carries its weight as the crucial centerpiece of THE LORD OF THE RINGS. [More]

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Miranda Otto, Bernard Hill, Liv Tyler, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Cate Blanchett

Director: Peter Jackson

Director: Peter Jackson
Screenwriter: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson
Producer: Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Tim Sanders
Composer: Howard Shore
Studio: New Line Cinema

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Reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Glorious escapism that will not make you feel dirty the morning after.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
04/29/08
Matthew De Abaitua
Matthew De Abaitua
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

In size and scale, Jackson has redefined the word 'epic' -- but his attention to the small things really gives this series its awesome stature.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An essential component of what is now destined to be among the best film franchises of all time.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
01/16/03
Caroline Westbrook
Caroline Westbrook
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There are flaws, yes, but the film is a breathtaking achievement in its scope.

Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
12/29/02
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic

There is no precedent for what Peter Jackson is doing with these films. Glorious escapism that will not make you feel dirty the morning after.

Full Review Source: FilmFour.com | comment Comment
12/17/02
Matthew De Abaitua
Matthew De Abaitua
FilmFour.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Utterly astonishing, truly epic film that comfortably exceeds all possible expectations.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
12/16/02
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

It's been a very watchable, distinctive, if over-extended FX spectacular. Nothing more.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
12/16/02
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Another stunner of a film.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
12/16/02
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Gollum is the first believable CG character, while the battle of Helm's Deep is one of the finest, most expansive combat sequences ever filmed.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/13/02
Nev Pierce
Nev Pierce
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A banquet of monsters ... the most spectacular film of the year.

Full Review Source: Teletext | comment Comment
12/12/02
Paul Arendt
Paul Arendt
Teletext
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
12/10/02
Mike Goodridge
Mike Goodridge
Screen International
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

Spectacular entertainment.

Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
02/18/09
Michael Dequina
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com

More graphic in its violence and more fantastic in its imaginings than the first film.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
03/05/08
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

The battle is one of the best of its kind in film history, a symphony of bloodlust and hopes dashed and restored.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
08/13/07
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Yes, Peter Jackson demands nine hours of your time. But I can't think of a director more deserving.

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

And the Masterpiece continues.

Full Review Source: Three Movie Buffs | comment Comment
09/30/05
Scott Nash
Scott Nash
Three Movie Buffs

I began to wonder, as the waves crashed about: Is it still possible for a movie to get excited about people?

Full Review Source: Nation | comment 4 Comments
03/03/05
Stuart Klawans
Stuart Klawans
Nation

Tolkien made every character's heart a battlefield between desire and selflessness, and Jackson underlines and boldfaces this theme. Call it Soul Wars, Episode Two.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Jeffrey Overstreet
Christianity Today

The final act's battle scene is the most spectacular medieval type ever filmed. (Pubished 1-3-03)

Full Review Source: Kansas City Kansan | comment Comment
11/01/04
Steve Crum
Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
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Latest News for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

July 13, 2008: Guillermo del Toro - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview
We have an extended chat with the director of Cronos, Pan's Labyrinth and this week's Hellboy II to talk about his career past, present and future and tap him for juicy... More...

March 27, 2008: Ian McKellen Is Not Too Busy for The Hobbit
Even while The Hobbit was in legal limbo, Sir Ian McKellen wasn't shy about letting people know he wanted to reprise his role as Gandalf for the Lord of the Rings prequel(s). More...

January 14, 2008: Elijah Wood: Once a Frodo, Always a Frodo
Count Elijah Wood as one of the millions excited about the news of Peter Jackson's involvement in those planned Hobbit films -- and another member of the Lord of the Rings cast... More...

December 18, 2007: Peter Jackson, New Line Kiss and Make Up; Jackson to Produce Two Hobbit Films
Rejoice, nerds! Peter Jackson is heading back to Middle-earth! More...

See All

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