In 2002 the best of the LotR movies came out. History often seems to have interesting parallels to it, who could have imagined that the themes in good professor Tolkein's mighty trilogy would tie so directly to events surrounding the release of these movies? Film critic John Mclaren in his review of The Two Towers puts it well:
The screenplay explains (with barely disguised contemporary resonance) what we are protecting in Western civilisation when we defend ourselves against those who would wish to destroy it. When Sam tells Frodo that there are "some things worth fighting for", when Merry tells Pippin that there "won't be a Shire" unless they do something about it, when King Theoden laments that "the sun has gone down in the West" this film could be entitled not the "Two Towers" but "the Twin Towers". It is Miltonic in its scope. It is cinema as art.
I love Peter Jackson's interpretation to film of LotR. Each film is unique and wonderful in its own way, and work remarkably well together as one giant 9+ hour movie. But of the 3, The Two Towers is my favorite, and is the only one that wasn't improved by the "extended editions". The theatrical release was perfect to me. The pacing, the framing devices, the epic clash of good and evil so well drawn. And it also had an eerie relevance to what was going on in the world at the time. (ok, I could have done without Legolas surfing down steps on a shield, but that is the only thing I didn't like, and that is only a minor annoyance).
"In 2002 the best of the LotR movies came out."
ReplyDeleteThat is an opinion, not a fact. It isn't even a good opinion but you are certainly entitled to it.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
DeleteYes, Gene, it is an opinion, so what? Good Lord, do I get sick of this stupid requisite that's developed online which requires someone to say, "In my opinion," or "just my opinion."
ReplyDeleteHere's a hint: whenever someone says "is the best," "is the worst," "is great," "sucks," or something similar, THAT IS OBVIOUSLY AN OPINION AND DOES NOT NEED TO BE CLARIFIED. Your snarky pot shot at Thomas served only to cheapen what is otherwise a wonderful sentiment.
Y'know...IN MY OPINION.
Well put Jason.
ReplyDeleteNow that those are done, could we have The Last Ringbearer movie too?
ReplyDeleteGene: the critics like you hated Empire Strikes Back back in the day too. Now it is widely regarded as the best of the original Star Wars trilogy.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, in the years since posting this and several viewings later, Fellowship of the Ring has steadily gotten better and better. Return of the King, which was not my favorite also gets better. These movies are aging very well. Two Towers will always be my favorite though. It's a perfect film (except the Legolas surfing scene).
ReplyDelete