Perhaps one of the most anticipated sequels of all time, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), lives up to all expectations. The storyline continues where the The Fellowship of the Rings (2001) left off, with fractions of the failed fellowship working to stop the Dark Lord Sauron (Sala Baker), whose evil powers threaten the good people of Middle Earth.
Hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) draw closer to the fires of Mordor, in which they must destroy the ring of power before it falls into Sauron’s hands.
Aragorn (Viggo Mortenson), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) form a triumvirate of mercenary soldiers who travel and fight with the races of men whose lands are in danger of being overrun by Sauron’s Orc army.
Kidnapped by orcs, hobbits Pippin (Billy Boyd) and Merry (Dominic Monaghan) escape and ally themselves with the ancient race of Ents, tree people whose help is integral to Middle Earth’s salvation.
Masterfully juggling a triple storyline, and full of raging battle scenes, dramatic action, breathtaking shots of the New Zealand countryside, and a well-cast group of actors, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) is director Peter Jackson’s most stunning achievement.
When it concludes with The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the trilogy will no doubt rank among the best films ever made.