Does anyone really think that "Chicago" is even in the same league as this masterpiece? F'n sad. One of the best 3 or so hours I ever spent... except that party where I met that chi... never mind.

Okay, I dug this movie. It played well with my inner-dork and I just loved the fantasy. Liv Tyler makes one damn hot elf. Just for the record.

best movie EVER, way better than Titanic or Spiderman and ROTK will rule Dec. 2003!!!!!

I firmly believe that unless you have read the book and have some kind of background of the story, you won't like this movie much. It was frustrating to watch because I really wanted to enjoy it, but couldn't..because I didn't know the characters, didn't understand what was going on, nor did I care.

I saw this on New Years Eve & was crying half the time so I cant rate it that highly but the final battles & Gollum are worth watching Problem being the middle part of a trilogy nothing is resolved they started apart & they remain Oh well I guess I will have to wait for the last one but major props for all who sacrificed their schedule to film all 3 and PJ not to win something after all that would be a disgrace!

Please note that I am rating this on the basis of it being a seperate entity from the book; I have not read the book yet, and will refrain from doing so until after I have watched the third installment of the series. It is understood that the movie strayed away from the book's storyline a bit, and if you cannot handle that, I highly suggest you do not watch this movie, as many of my die-hard LOTR fans left disappointed and could not see the movie through their preconceptions from the book. Alright, that being said, the movie was an absolute work of art! The cinematography was breathtaking and well done; the computer graphics enhanced the story rather than masked it, something that many current movies cannot yet accomplish. Gollum was an incredible work of computer technology--almost completely believable (the best that I've seen so far). The story is captivating, and the characters are rich and alive. You may have to watch it twice, to get past the eye candy-ness of it all (and it is, but oh, is it done beautifully). Words of caution: 1) If you can't sit still for three hours, you might want to stay away from this movie. 2) Don't order the super-giant-mega-zized drink at the theater--you probably won't want to get up to go to the bathroom, and three hours is a LONG time for a full bladder! 3) If you don't like fantasy, this is not for you. 4) If you are a die-hard fan of the book and can't stand anything straying from the book, save yourself the heart attack and don't watch. 5) Not everyone has read the book. For the sake of friends who haven't read the book, you may want to refrain from giving parts away, or the movie will be much less enjoyable for them.

This is without a doubt my all-time favourite film (at least until "Return of the King" is released). Peter Jackson took more liberty with the story in this chapter, but the heart of the story is still very evident and the movie flows perfectly. The CGI effects, particularly Gollum and Treebeard were astounding and competely believable. I was also really impressed with how Weta Digital used their Operation Massive program to create the huge scale of the Battle of Helm's Deep. The acting performances were note perfect as well...and I was particularly impressed with Viggo Mortensen. He's truly an old fashioned matinee hero in this film, who just crackles with charisma. John-Rhys Daveys was also brilliant in bringing comic relieg to the screen through Gimli...and as well provided the perfect voice for Treebeard. The only possible contention I have witht the film is the way in which Faramir's character was adapted from the book. He's much harsher in the film, and seems to lose the beautiful, peaceful wisdom that he had in the book. However his role did need to be adjusted to allow for a proper climax to the film and I guess we'll have to wait and see how he develops in the conlusion to the trilogy

An action-packed, special effects-packed sword and sorcery epic! even better then the first movie!

AMAZING! That's all I have to say...AMAZING!

A major disappointment over the first movie as it was not nearly as exciting. It did not manage to involve me totally as the first movie did.

The Lord of the Rings (The Two Towers) was truly a good movie.In fact, I watched it for many times just like the first one.But if I were to compare the two,the first one was really great maybe because the whole story started there.What I really appreciated in the first movie is the settings.I felt that I'm also in the other dimensions of the world where there are magics and fantasies.Just like a dream that I like to be into.The views of the place and the colors of trees mountains, falls, rivers,etc., are like real and I thought of paradise.However, the second movie is also good but it is more on the darkside of the movie and I supposed that we still have to appreciate it 'cause it is a part of the entire story. To all the people involved in making this movie possible, I salute you alland I'm proud of you.

This movie is only slightly better than the first. It was a little boring, being 3 hours long. However, parts of it were good, like Smegol talking at the end, and it made me laugh when it kept showing the tree carrying Merry and Pippin.

Best film ive ever seen!

When I saw the Two Towers after a year of great anticipation I have to admit I left the cinema feeling just a bit disappointed. I couldn't decide why, after all there's little to complain about with the execution of the film and the direction is fast paced for a film of such length, but it didn't move me as the first one had. I saw it a second time in the hope that whatever had been lost on me the first time would suddenly dawn on me the second. Sometimes you need to see a long film a few times to take everything in. My enjoyment was spoilt on the second showing by noisy kids in the back row who kept chucking popcorn at an inoffensive old man; this continued throughout the film, even when the main troublemaker was thrown out. Despite that I think I managed to appreciate it better on a second viewing. Gollum was fantastic and even though he was partly a CGI creation (actor Andy Serkis provided his voice and movements) he gave the film its few moments of poignancy. The Battle for Helm's Deep was fantastic. Legolas leaping onto a moving horse was jaw-dropping, although his skater-dude antics down a flight of steps could be seen as laughable. Frodo's growing affinity with the ring and its transformation of him was eerie to watch, well done to Elijah Wood for being so at one with his character, and Sam's speech at the end was moving. Yes, I did think this was a good film, anyone who doesn't must surely have a very poor concentration span or a lack of imagination, but in my opinion the film could have done with some more lighter moments and by this I don't mean comic relief but true, heartfelt, sincere, reflective moments like the kind that made The Fellowship of the Ring so special: Frodo's reliance on the faithful Sam, Boromir's death, the grief of the Fellowship in the wake of Gandalf's apparent death, the beauty of Lothlorien in contrast to the growing peril of their situation, Frodo's tears. For this reason, for the pervading darkness of the whole film, I'll only give it four stars, which is still high praise. I can't wait for the third. My gut feeling says it will be the best of the lot.

I cannot overcome the irritation of the film's few indiscresions. It has been weeks since I've seen the movie and I just cannot get past the elves at helms deep; the hobbits forcing the ents to go to war; Faramir taking Frodo and Sam to Osgiliath; Arargorn chasing Eowyn. Because of Jackson rewriting a story that didn't need it I cannot rate it as the story deserves.

This was truely better by far than the first film (FOTR), and I´ve (only) seen it three time (till now). This film shows every character just as much as an other. Gollum was made brilliant, and sometimes one can´t even tell to a 100% that he is animated, for instance as Gollum tried to struggle Sam as he first tried to steal the Ring from Frodo. It really, rellay is worth watchin (at least two times, incase you didn´t really get the hang of it the first time). The best film ever.!.

It is out now! I'm not Hobbit cultist and I thought it was amazing! Best movie of the year.

Despite some huge book-related errors (Elves at Helm's Deep, Faramir, etc) this is a great movie. I haven't decided whether it's better than the first, but it truly is a masterpiece. It contains both the best introduction to any film I've seen, and the best film battle I've seen. It may not be 100% accurate as far as book translation goes, but some is warranted and as a movie goes, it is brilliantly entertaining and has a little bit of everything. A must see, and bring on the third.

Despite an excellent performance by Ian McKellan, the film is a waste of time, and offers nothing. McKellan is wasted with only 20 minutes screen time, and the entire movie is one big boxing match. There is not one interesting moment in this film.

So many people have done an extensive analysis of the movie, that I will refrain. I will just say that it is dark, threatening, and there are long moments in which one suddenly realizes that one has forgotten to breathe for a while. Even on the 6th showing. Yes, there are variations from the book - yes that bothers me as a die hard Tolkein fan (one who has read the series once a year since the 70's, on average) - but I have never before seen a movie 6 times. "Nuff said?

I waited to see this film for a whole year, and the director Peter Jackson really made the wait worth its while! So far we've seen how the Ring was found and now we go on to see the journeys and battles of our (now broken)fellowship. The film,as expected, did not include evrything from the novel, but what it did miss out was replaced by the breath taking landscapes and new special effects. The best part was the revealing of Gollum, this character, generated from CGI, was depicted just as i would have imagined whilst reading the books.The voice and looks of gollum was so good that you would believe that ther really was a creature like this! The battle sceens were created by CGI as well and the casting and costumes were perfect. The only thing that didnt seem right was how the movie ended, but it does leave alot for the next movie...i cant wait to see how P.Jackson is going to make the next LOTR instalment even better!!!

Brilliant!

As an old woman I thought it was really far fetched but I did not see the first one. I Did take my teenage grandkids and they did not like it and they did see the frist one

Unbelievably good!

best movie ever?

I was disappointed with my first viewing of the film. After that, I would have given it a 2 probably. However, I was too caught up in noticing all the little, and large, deviations from the novel to really allow myself enjoyment for what it was: a cinematic interpretation of my favorite novels. So I saw it again. I still have my problems with Faramir showing fallability in the face of the ring. But I can see Jacksons view that half if not more than half of the audience haven't read the book, and since the movie was not going to end with Shelbob, may as well end it with the audience thinking that Faramir was Frodo's biggest threat. Also, we still have The Return of the King to look forward to seeing Faramir pull himself together. The worst part, I thought, something I actually boo'd outloud at twice was when Frodo stands in front of the Nazgul showing the rider the ring--the ring, the one thing a nazgul exists for--and one freeking arrow in th belly of that 3 ton beast made it fly away???? Come on!!! The purpose of your being immortal is directly in front of you. GET THE DARN THING!!! So that sucked, that's why it gets no 5 rating from me. That made Sauron and his forces look like panzies. You never felt that way in the book for a second. I concede the addition of Arwen to add something for the ladies: the love triangle. Gollum is amazing. The CGI (cpu generated images) in the film, especially with Gollum, were so cool, so well done. The ent plot was underdeveloped unfortunately. Now for the difference I extremely enjoyed: I really loved the humanistic side of Jackson in this movie. What a mean is, in a grand sence, in the book, you knew the implications of even one battle lost, that is the destruction of Middle Earth and all its inhabitants, but that is so easily portrayed in pages and pages of detail. But in the movie you really saw the face of tragedy impending. You really saw fear in faces at Helms deep. Shots of children being taken from their mothers to fight was key to this, showing the humanist in Jackson. Also, I loved how Jakson depicted the dying of the elves. Its so hard to grasp the love and devotion showed by these elves who risk their immortal being for a fallible, mortal race. Aragorn's reaction to that elf dying made my gut wrench. Very well portrayed! So, in the end, we are set up once again for a great start to the next movie. I cannot wait for how the CGI works with the Queen of Terror, and yes jackson confirmed that SHE is in it. If you haven't read any of the books, but love the movies, try picking up the second and third books. Start with the second book at the end, the last 40 pages or so. Start with the chapter Cirith Ungol. You will be amazed at what Jackson left for the start of the third movie!!

A first class movie, faithful enough to the Tolkien writing to capture the essence of the book, yet with some slight changes that make the movie keep it's momentum. The battle scenes, and the good/evil conflict are right on. I highly recommend it.

I LIKE ORLANDO OOPS I FORGOT HIS LAST NAME HE PLAYS LEGGOUSES DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPELL THAT THOGH

Exelent. A very good free version of the origial. Sometimes I got stucked because I didn`t expect it to be such a different version, but Peter Jackson did an exelent job, and so did all the actors and actress. I can`t wait to see the third one!

The special effects were amazing! I liked the first one better, but this one still deserves a five!

Nothing special... The movie sucks.

I rated the Fellowship of the Ring. My opinion on the Two Towers will be broken up into my opinion for those who have read (HR) and who have not read (HNR) the trilogy. The first half is a solid 4 stars for either group. If not for the lag time in parts of the first half it would be a 5. Gandalf, Aragorn, etc, should have been before King Theoden sooner. The parts of the book they used they used well using little license in changing what Tlokien had written. The second half for the HNR will be a 4. It would be a 5 but agian parts seemed to drag out. It will be a 2-3 for the HR depending on how much you loved Tolkien's work. I was waiting for the scene at dawn after the desperate battle at Helms Deep. The King rides out to find the Orcs trapped between his last ditch effort and a forest of Orc hating trees where once there was a plain. I was disappointed. They could have dumped the appendix work concerning Arwen and Aragorn and added the Hurons: a bit of amazing cinema. Furthermore, the writers took away the Ents and Faramir's honor and integrity. Faramir never coveted the ring to win and he never took Frodo to Osgiliath. He had a very interesting relationship with his father and brother. Frodo never stood before a winged Nazgul. Treebeard and the Ents never said no to Merry on attacking Isengard. This was a complete rewrite and poorly done. It distracted me from how well they did Gollum, the Nazgul winged creatures, and the Ents. They were so close to having both groups, myself included, devour this film. So I give it a 3 out of frustration.

I don't understand those people who call fans of this series "obsessed" or "nerds". I never even thought of Tolkein before all of this. I wasn't even into the cartoon version of his stories when I was little. In fact, I was forced by a seventh grade English teacher to even pick up The Hobbit. But something clicked in me when I saw the Fellowship last year. I never really liked fantasy stories because I couldn't grasp them, they just didn't seem real. Well, this IS real--or at least it seems that way. The characters are believable and lovable, the comedic moments are perfectly timed, the action is the kind where you gasp and squirm in the theater seats. This movie is fantastic, and it deserves every cent it earns.

A great film, but not quite to the level of the first film in the trilogy. Jackson had to take liberties with the scene sequence of the book and the result was I just never got a chance to settle in at any one place long enough. The most glaring difference was the music, not to the level of the FOTR, and the closing song, as the credits rolled, was painful to hear---the one truly bad decision Jackson has made since he started these films. Glossed over was the fact that Elrond is Halfelven, that his brother chose a mortal life many millenia before and that Arwen can choose to surrender her immortality. More time should have been spent with the Ents like Quickbeam and less time creating scenes like Aragorn pitching over a cliff with a Warg. This was obviously spliced in to give weight to the passion developing in the heart of the Maiden of Rohan for Isildur's heir. I guess I am being spoiled in my assessment, as the first movie was so good I expected the second to be that much better, like The Empire Strikes Back was better than Star Wars. Disappointed, but stiill deserves five stars and hopefully the Return of the King meets every excpectation.

Another tremendous effort from Peter Jackson - the only reason I can't give it five stars is because of a couple of (probably) trivial deviations from the book. The battle scenes (and pre-battle) scenes are awesome, and Gollum / Smeagol is pretty much dead on. The kingdom of Rohan scenes were just as I had imagined from reading the book, and the horses, warriors, mountains, and landscape make for staggering scenery. The fact that one of my biggest complaints with the movie was that the Ents came to a hasty decision indicates that I probably should be giving this film five stars.

Just like the first one, the second is a masterpiece. It has it all: great acting luscious landscapes, well writen plot (You can't go wrong with possibly the greatest books ever written), flow of the movie. What more could you want? t's also interesting to know that their saving the last part of the book for the third movie. I better see an oscar nod for best picture just like last year. Run to the theaters. I gaurantee you will want to see this movie again, and again, and again, and again, etc., etc., etc.

Remarkable in it's pacing and visually stunning, this bridge from FOTR to The King's Return is nothing short of spectacular. Fans of the story may lurch a little regarding the story changes, but PJ has done an admirable job of balancing his love for the story and his genius for making the movie fly. Gollum...well, what can I say? He LIVES! Incredible CGFX in Gollum, Helms Deep, Ents...this is a very rich banquet...enjoy it more than once!

Even better than the first one; the "darkness" and violence of the second book is really well reflected in the film. Peter Jackson's GCI version of Gollum is brilliant, both technically and from a "vision" standpoint. Well worth seeing while it's still playing on big screens.

This gets a one because it isnt out yet, and the annoying cultish Hobbit lovers have already started to rate it.