THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS at HOLLYWOOD TEEN MOVIES

Peter Jackson’s magnificent second film of J R R Tolkien’s classic trilogy immediately draws the audience back into the adventure - and what an adventure it is! If The Fellowship of the Ring astonished you, you will be overwhelmed by The Two Towers.

When the first film ended, the Fellowship had been split into three. Hobbits, Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin), continued their journey to Mordor, ruled by the Dark Lord, Sauron. As keeper of the all-powerful One Ring, Frodo had been entrusted to take it to the Crack of Doom to destroy it and prevent Sauron from enslaving the people of Middle-Earth. Frodo and Sam’s Hobbit friends, Pippin (Billy Boyd) and Merry (Dominic Monaghan) were captured by Orcs, while the other members of the small band of heroes, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) and Legolas (Orlando Bloom) searched for them. As it alternates between the adventures of each of these groups, the film widens its already-epic scale and introduces more characters - both good and evil - into the narrative.

Frodo and Sam capture Gollum (voiced superbly by Andy Serkis), a creature of equally repellent and pitiable appearance. Warped in both mind and body by the Ring, which he once owned, Gollum, also known as Smeagol, promises to guide Frodo and Sam to Mordor if they set him free. Sam is suspicious, Frodo prefers to give Gollum his trust and, it seems, is rewarded by his actions when Gollum carries out his side of the bargain and accepts Frodo as his master. Gollum is one of the film’s most astonishing creations - a completely computer generated character that blends in seamlessly with the real actors. A later revelation about Gollum’s much-tormented soul evokes fear and pity. As their journey progresses the Ring also begins to takes its powerful hold on Frodo.

Escaping from the Orcs while they are under attack, Pippin and Merry venture into the mysterious Fangorn Forest where they encounter Treebeard (voiced by John Rhys-Davies), a talking, moving, tree-like creature known as an Ent. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are reunited with a resurrected Gandalf (Ian McKellen), the wizard. Their quest now sends them to Rohan, where Gandalf releases its king, Theoden (Bernard Hill) from the evil hold of the treacherous wizard, Saruman (Christopher Lee). Wormtongue (Brad Dourif), Saruman’s malevolent ally, has also helped poison Theoden’s mind while keeping a lustful eye on the beautiful Eowyn (Miranda Otto), whose brother, Eomer (Karl Urban) has been banished by the king while still under Saruman’s power.

The spectacular climax of The Two Towers comes when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli join Theoden’s loyal, but seemingly doomed force in the earth-shaking Battle of Helm’s Deep in which they stand against Saruman’s 10,000-strong army of creatures known as Uruk-hai. Almost as jaw-dropping is an assault on Saruman’s stronghold by Treebeard and his Ent brothers, urged on by Pippin and Merry.

Many more characters, much, much more to astound you and an ending that will have you wishing away the year to get to the third and final instalment make The Two Towers one of the year’s must-see movie. With his exceptional cast and crew, Jackson more than lives up to the standard that he set for himself with the first film. This one truly does tower!

The Lord Of The Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition) [Blu-ray]
Special 15-disc set includes the extended, widescreen editions of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring [Blu-ray](2001)
In the first installment of director Peter Jackson's ambitious and successful film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy trilogy, Elijah Wood stars as plucky hobbit Frodo Baggins, whose bequest of an arcane ring from his uncle Bilbo (Ian Holm) spurs a perilous journey to prevent an overpowering evil from enveloping Middle Earth. Ideally-cast support is provided by Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Sean Astin, Hugo Weaving, Christopher Lee. 178 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 6.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish; documentaries; featurettes; music video; TV spots; theatrical trailers.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers [Blu-ray](2002)
With the Fellowship of the Ring splintered, the war for Middle Earth continues in the second Tolkien tale from Peter Jackson. As warriors Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) help defend the fortress of Helm's Deep from the monstrous forces of dark lord Sauron, ring-bearing hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) and pal Sam (Sean Astin) are joined in their quest to Mordor by the ring's twisted, tormented former owner, Gollum (Andy Serkis in a "voice and virtual performance"). With Christopher Lee, Miranda Otto, and Ian McKellen. 179 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 6.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 EX; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish; documentaries; featurettes; music video;
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King [Blu-ray](2003)
Eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, went to director Peter Jackson's triumphant finale to fantasy cinema's most acclaimed series. As Frodo, Sam and the treacherous Gollum attempt to destroy the One Ring of Power in the fires of Mt. Doom, Aragorn the ranger faces his destiny as the rightful ruler of Gondor, leading the armies of mankind into ultimate battle against Sauron's minions. Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, and Elijah Wood star. 3 1/3 hrs. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 6.1 Master Audio, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 EX; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish; documentaries; featurettes; TV spots; theatrical trailers.
The Master Of The Rings: The Unauthorized Story Behind J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings (2001) [DVD] DVD
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring [DVD](2001) DVD
The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers [DVD](2002) DVD
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King [DVD](2003) DVD