LOTR - Two towers impressions

[Novdid]

Yes, I saw it too. I'll skip to the scores: 4 out of 5 stars!

The Battle where the ents attack is probably the most...

[Jammrock]

Gurm has been banned, he won't be posting, unless he comes in under a new ID...and assuming his IP hasn't been banned.

Hopefully I'll be able to sneak out and see TTT again soon.

Jammrock

[Kooldino]

OT: Gurm has been banned? are you serious??? what for?

Anyway, I saw it last night...it was pretty good. I've never read the books, so I have no inaccuracies to gripe about.

SPOILER AHEAD...







However, I'm curious how the elf knew to go to Helm's Deep, and how they arrived there so fast?!

And why didn't Frodo ever explain the situation to Golum (sp?) about how he basically saved him. And why did he lie about knowing him in the first place?

Also, i was a little unimpressed with Gandolf...I really expected him to do more...I mean, being that he's this magical white wizard now (because he died??), I figured he could have cast some kickass spells and took some of the Orc out quickly.

[Byock]

SPOILER ANSWER............................................ .............................

















The Elves knew about helms deep from Elrond. He saw it in a vision. That is why he sent the elves to help, after getting chastised from Galadriel. Since he knew about the attack, I assume he sent them in plenty of time to get there. In the books, Gandolf doesn't use magic much, not sure why. Frodo didn't admit to knowing Gollum, as that would not reflect very well on him to the people from Gondor. Gollum would not listen if he tried to explain, IMO. And Yes, the Ents were AWESOME!

[Electric Amish]

**Possible Spoilers****







I've seen it twice now. Once at 12:01am and then again at noon the same day.

It's not as good as the first because there are so many plot lines that you're going back and forth between.

That being said, it was still awesome!

The Ent attack was sweet, as was Helm's Deep.

Golem was just superbly done!! I can't believe the interaction between a CGI character and the environment!!

I can't wait to see what's in the extended version DVD...

The only thing I didn't like was the Aragorn/Arwen line. It really seemed to slow down the movie with the flashbacks and Aragorn going off the cliff and floating in the river then the horse helping him and him riding back to Helm's deep.

amish

[moreau]

Originally posted by Byock
SPOILER ANSWER............................................ .............................

In the books, Gandolf doesn't use magic much, not sure why.

Gandalf is not permitted to "match power with power". His role (who defines his role is an excellent discussion in and of itself) is to unite the peoples of Middle Earth against Sauron, not seek to lead them or win the battle himself.

Much can be said about this if you are interested...

[moreau]

"I have been sent back to finish my task"

[KeiFront]

Is it better than the first one, because I found the first one overrated. It was just a good movie nice cinematography etc. but it surely wasn't the best movie I saw last year.

[Jammrock]

**********SPOILER ANSWERS AND CLARIFICATION**********

















However, I'm curious how the elf knew to go to Helm's Deep, and how they arrived there so fast?!

This part is differnt than the book, as far as I can remember, and was the part I mentioned in my review. Remember Galadriel's mirror from the first movie/book? It can see into the future. Galadriel probably saw the fight at Helm's Deep and told Elronde (who can talk over distances with Galadriel because of their rings of power and/or Elvish magic). Galadriel and Elronde then both sent archers and fighters to aid the Rohierum.

And why didn't Frodo ever explain the situation to Golum (sp?) about how he basically saved him. And why did he lie about knowing him in the first place?

As said before, he felt that Gollum would get him in trouble so he tried to disassociate himself with Gollum. Is it just me or does Feomer look like he belongs in an 80's hair band?

Also, i was a little unimpressed with Gandolf...I really expected him to do more...I mean, being that he's this magical white wizard now (because he died??), I figured he could have cast some kickass spells and took some of the Orc out quickly.

As stated before, he is only allowed to use his magic for emergencies and self defense. In Tolkein lore, i.e. The Silmarilion and the histories, Gandalf is actually an Maia sent from...well, bascially 'god' (forget the actual Tolkien name). Think of him as an archangel of sorts. Has tremendous powers, but is not allowed to use them unless otherwise told so.

Jammrock

[Drizzt]

Eu

[Kooldino]

Originally posted by Byock
SPOILER ANSWER............................................ .............................

















The Elves knew about helms deep from Elrond. He saw it in a vision. That is why he sent the elves to help, after getting chastised from Galadriel. Since he knew about the attack, I assume he sent them in plenty of time to get there. In the books, Gandolf doesn't use magic much, not sure why. Frodo didn't admit to knowing Gollum, as that would not reflect very well on him to the people from Gondor. Gollum would not listen if he tried to explain, IMO. And Yes, the Ents were AWESOME!

Thank you!!

[Kooldino]

Originally posted by moreau
Gandalf is not permitted to "match power with power". His role (who defines his role is an excellent discussion in and of itself) is to unite the peoples of Middle Earth against Sauron, not seek to lead them or win the battle himself.

Much can be said about this if you are interested...

Yes, please go on...

[lurqa_MU]

Gandalf

Originally posted by Jammrock
As stated before, he is only allowed to use his magic for emergencies and self defense. In Tolkein lore, i.e. The Silmarilion and the histories, Gandalf is actually an Maia sent from...well, bascially 'god' (forget the actual Tolkien name).

Hmmm.. Some years (read: a decade) has passed since I read Silmarillion, but I seem to recall that Gandalf and the other mages were special. They were 'istari', rather than 'maia'.

The 'maia' were the demigods with their own ideals and means, while the 'istari' were sent by the collective of gods to guide and help the inhabitants of middle earth.

At the time of LoTR, Sauron is the only 'maia' left in Middle earth.

Regards,
lurqa

[ZokesPro]

My impressions of the movies is 4.5 of 5. Long but very good movie.

[Gurm]

*sigh*

You people, arguing without the facts.

Gandalf (Olorin), Saruman (Curumir), and Sauron (Gorthaur) were all in fact Maia. Olorin and Curumir were, however, subclassed (if you'll pardon the expression) as Istari.

The deal with Istari is that they agreed to be bound in the forms of old men, and to never put forth their full power. It's unclear how much of this "deal" was voluntary and how much was enforced.

In origin, Saruman and Sauron were both Maia under Aule, the smith. Gandalf was, IIRC, under Manwe (the lord of the Maiar). Sauron, however, abandoned Aule and chose to follow Melkor (aka Morgoth, for those of you wondering where the phrase "Balrog of Morgoth" came from).

Melkor was the Tolkien equivalent of Lucifer. Chief and foremost among the Maia, he tried to sing his own song outside of the song of Illuvatar (or Eru, depending on who is saying it). He was eventually cast out, and did all sorts of nasty stuff (you know, tried to destroy the world, stole some Silmarils, the usual...) before being overthrown.

*ahem*

As to why Gandalf could use his power against the Balrog... well, the Balrog was ALSO a Maia. And the Maia are all supposed to be staying the heck out of Middle Earth, so here an exception was made.

Saruman also didn't use his Maia powers, despite what some believe. He was, however, attempting to discover how to make rings of power. He had made quite a few, and had one particularly powerful one that enhanced his already powerful voice and allowed him to control others (in much the way that the One Ring could control the Nine).

Next question?

- Gurm