Reviews - Good, Bad and Indifferent - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Birdland · 12-19-2002, 07:14 PM

Perhaps we need a seperate thread for reviews we find of the film. (Or perhaps we don't.)Here's a review from the Kansas City Star that sums up perfectly the way I felt about the film. <A HREF="http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/4766320.htm" TARGET=_blank>Letdown of 'Two Towers' ameliorated by animated Gollum </A>[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

Manwe Sulimo · 12-19-2002, 09:15 PM

(He means that it's a link to an Expedia.com ad banner)

The Silver-shod Muse · 12-19-2002, 10:04 PM

This is a good one: <A HREF="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/134597183_lotr17.html" TARGET=_blank>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/134597183_lotr17.html</A> I mostly agree with her sentiments, and the way she describes FotR sums up just how I felt about it: bluish green. Strange, I know.

Birdland · 12-19-2002, 10:41 PM

Whoopies! My bad! Link has been corrected above. BTW Manwe - I'm a girl.

-Imrahil- · 12-19-2002, 11:54 PM

Awesome review.I agree the movie was basically salvaged by Gollum. Cheer Serkis. Also Sam helped.

Thingol1000 · 12-20-2002, 07:52 AM

Actually, I think that KC reviewer is brain dead. The TTT book sets it up as two stories, if PJ did that it would defacto be two seperate movies. Not good. If you were not able to keep up with the plots from scene to scene I think your grey matter is a little bit on the white side. PG used a tried and true movir formula that works quite well.

Birdland · 12-20-2002, 08:20 AM

The KC reviewer never said he couldn't follow the various plots. He said that the cuts between the three stories were done badly. And with that, I agree. He also said that the second film does not have the humanity of the first, and with that I totally agree.Some people like film tricks, and some people like great acting and character development. All a matter of taste, I guess.

Bêthberry · 12-20-2002, 08:30 AM

Dear Birdie,who certainly is a lady. Here's a link to a very laudatory review in Canada's National Post, which comes out of Toronto. Review written by Jeet Heer.One interesting observation: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> In The Two Towers, a different form of temptation takes hold: the seduction of sloth. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><A HREF="http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story.asp?id={02FA1466-8E85-44B3-932C-95825C" TARGET=_blank>Soul-stirring</A>Bethberry

MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie · 12-20-2002, 08:36 PM

I think that there are many different reviews out there and some of them represent our varied views about this movie. I think that the main problem PJ is confronted with TTT is that the way he did it doesn't capture the audience. Sure FotR had many criticisms too, but the way PJ did it had mostly every one satisfied and leaving the movies knowing they will love it forever. TTT on the other hand was taken by a very different approach than FotR. The main thing is that he changed it from the book to much. Also some characters were changed more than others. And many more factors contributed to the way TTT turned out. TTT was so varied, it resulted in mixed feelings and different criticisms. I think very few of us will feel almost exacly the same on this movie. And it goes for the people who write out these reviews. They are so varied and diverse. One moment you'll see a review praising gollum, the next one is saying it sucked. It just gets so complicated. And if you see this site, you'll probably agree.<A HREF="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheLordoftheRingsTheTwoTowers-1118285/" TARGET=_blank>Rotten Tomatoes</A>Oh yeah, you can thank Diamond 18 for the link.The farther the movie strays from the book, the more mixed/different feelings there will be.

Rose Cotton · 12-21-2002, 08:22 AM

You say that PJ didn't capture the audience. Well then I must be a very easy capture. You must remember that this part of the story HAS NO BEGINNING. In the Fellowhship, it's much easier to bring an audience in with the lush fields of the Shire. In the Fellowship we can gruadually get a scence of this world with the Hobbits. But in TTT the hobbits are already familiar with what's at stake and PJ needs another way to bring us in. I think that showing us Gandalf's fall was great.Also remember that in the Fellowship there was one journey. Four hobbits to Rivendell then nine companions to the Falls.In the Two Towers there are three story lines. I think PJ did a great job cutting from one part of the story to another. I agree that they were many times unexpected but I thought of them as a nice suprise rather then a chance to mess up the story.

12-19-2002, 07:14 PM	#1
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,757	Reviews - Good, Bad and Indifferent Perhaps we need a seperate thread for reviews we find of the film. (Or perhaps we don't.)<P>Here's a review from the <I>Kansas City Star</I> that sums up perfectly the way I felt about the film. <A HREF="http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/4766320.htm" TARGET=_blank>Letdown of 'Two Towers' ameliorated by animated Gollum<BR></A><p>[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

12-19-2002, 09:15 PM	#2
Manwe Sulimo Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Taurelilómëa-tumbalemorna Tumbaletaurëa Lómëanor Posts: 553	(He means that it's a link to an Expedia.com ad banner) __________________ "Monkeys learn sign language so they can tell the dolphins they love them."

12-19-2002, 10:04 PM	#3
The Silver-shod Muse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The shoulder of a poet, TX Posts: 388	This is a good one:<BR> <A HREF="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/134597183_lotr17.html" TARGET=_blank>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/text/134597183_lotr17.html</A> <P>I mostly agree with her sentiments, and the way she describes FotR sums up just how I felt about it: bluish green. Strange, I know. __________________ "'You," he said, "tell her all. What good came to you? Do you rejoice that Maleldil became a man? Tell her of your joys, and of what profit you had when you made Maleldil and death acquainted.'" -Perelandra, by C.S. Lewis

12-19-2002, 10:41 PM	#4
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,757	Whoopies! My bad! Link has been corrected above. <P>BTW Manwe - I'm a girl.

12-19-2002, 11:54 PM	#5
-Imrahil- Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dol Amroth, upon the Bay of Belfalas Posts: 259	Awesome review.<P>I agree the movie was basically salvaged by Gollum. Cheer Serkis. Also Sam helped. __________________ My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed. I felled the black serpent. A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunset!

12-20-2002, 07:52 AM	#6
Thingol1000 Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 37	Actually, I think that KC reviewer is brain dead. The TTT book sets it up as two stories, if PJ did that it would defacto be two seperate movies. Not good. If you were not able to keep up with the plots from scene to scene I think your grey matter is a little bit on the white side.<BR>PG used a tried and true movir formula that works quite well.

12-20-2002, 08:20 AM	#7
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,757	The KC reviewer never said he couldn't follow the various plots. He said that the cuts between the three stories were done badly. And with that, I agree. <P>He also said that the second film does not have the humanity of the first, and with that I <I>totally</I> agree.<P>Some people like film tricks, and some people like great acting and character development. All a matter of taste, I guess.

12-20-2002, 08:30 AM	#8
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,165	Dear Birdie,<P>who certainly is a lady. <P>Here's a link to a very laudatory review in Canada's <I>National Post</I>, which comes out of Toronto. Review written by Jeet Heer.<P>One interesting observation: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> In <I>The Two Towers</I>, a different form of temptation takes hold: the seduction of sloth. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><A HREF="http://www.canada.com/entertainment/story.asp?id={02FA1466-8E85-44B3-932C-95825C" TARGET=_blank>Soul-stirring</A><P>Bethberry __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-20-2002, 08:36 PM	#9
MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 575	I think that there are many different reviews out there and some of them represent our varied views about this movie. I think that the main problem PJ is confronted with TTT is that the way he did it doesn't capture the audience. Sure FotR had many criticisms too, but the way PJ did it had mostly every one satisfied and leaving the movies knowing they will love it forever. TTT on the other hand was taken by a very different approach than FotR. The main thing is that he changed it from the book to much. Also some characters were changed more than others. And many more factors contributed to the way TTT turned out. TTT was so varied, it resulted in mixed feelings and different criticisms. I think very few of us will feel almost exacly the same on this movie. And it goes for the people who write out these reviews. They are so varied and diverse. One moment you'll see a review praising gollum, the next one is saying it sucked. It just gets so complicated. And if you see this site, you'll probably agree.<P><A HREF="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheLordoftheRingsTheTwoTowers-1118285/" TARGET=_blank>Rotten Tomatoes</A><P>Oh yeah, you can thank Diamond 18 for the link.<P>The farther the movie strays from the book, the more mixed/different feelings there will be. __________________ Do Not Touch -Willie

12-21-2002, 08:22 AM	#10
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	You say that PJ didn't capture the audience. Well then I must be a very easy capture. You must remember that this part of the story HAS NO BEGINNING. In the Fellowhship, it's much easier to bring an audience in with the lush fields of the Shire. In the Fellowship we can gruadually get a scence of this world with the Hobbits. But in TTT the hobbits are already familiar with what's at stake and PJ needs another way to bring us in. I think that showing us Gandalf's fall was great.<P>Also remember that in the Fellowship there was one journey. Four hobbits to Rivendell then nine companions to the Falls.<P>In the Two Towers there are three story lines. I think PJ did a great job cutting from one part of the story to another. I agree that they were many times unexpected but I thought of them as a nice suprise rather then a chance to mess up the story.<BR> __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)