The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen

RS: 4of 4 Stars

2002 Sci-Fi

Part Two in the Rings trilogy drew some criticism because, like most middle chapters, it leaves you hanging. So what? Is the battle of Helm's Deep, superbly captured in image and sound on this two-disc DVD, not one of the greatest battle scenes ever? Is Gollum, unforgettably voiced by Andy Serkis, not the greatest computer-generated creature to reach the screen to date? So what's to stop you from ponying up the cash for this baby, even if the extras on Disc Two are mostly promotional filler? Here's the thing: On November 18th, The Two Towers will also be released as a special extended four-disc set, complete with deleted scenes that you can't get here. This version even teases you with a preview of the November DVD, showing outtakes that make your mouth water. Why not hold on instead of buying the same movie twice? Because you can't wait, can you? Because Rings is that good.

PETER TRAVERS
(August 14, 2003)