The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers released

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Released: December 18, 2002 Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: fantasy/adventure/drama Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 342.60 Worldwide: 947.94 Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 566.34 Worldwide: 1418.90

Directing: Peter Jackson Screenwriting: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, John Rhys-Davies, Liv Tyler Review: In the second installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the fellowship has broken. “This is a considerably darker film” EM as the “series takes on more of a sweeping, Nordic feel.” E18 “Where the first movie developed its emotional tone from the brightness of The Shire to a darker climax, the sequel is more of a one-note affair, shadowy in both look and content.” E18 The hobbits Frodo (Wood) and Sam (Astin) continue their journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring, accompanied by the mysterious Gollum. “In an age where computer-generated characters and scenes are commonplace.” MSN The latter is “one of the most captivating CGI creatures to date,” MSN “a brilliant combination of computer trickery and raspy vocals from Andy Serkis.” EM “It does it again with Treebeard, a walking, talking tree that manages to keep the audience enchanted and glued to the screen.” MSN Aragorn the warrior (Mortensen), Legolas the elf (Bloom), and Gimli (Rhys-Davies) the dwarf and the people of Rohan stand up to the evil Sauron’s allies. It all builds up “to Helm’s Deep, a ferocious action crescendo which features gratuitous scenes of dwarf-tossing.” E18 “Jackson cleverly tempers the louder, brasher sequences with some heartstring-tugging moments - peasants despondent as they are forced to abandon their villages, Aragorn and Arwen’s troubled relationship, and, of course, the return of Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen, superb as ever), one of the film's most powerful, memorable images that may well leave Ring devotees a little misty-eyed.” EM Sources: EM Empire (Nov. 2008). “The 500 Greatest Movies of All TIme” E18 Empire (3/20/2018). “The 100 Greatest Movies” MSN MSN Entertainment (7/19/2018). “100 Best Movies” by Shahnaz Mahmud

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Box Office: Oscars: Wins: 2: Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects Nominations: 6, including Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing Other Awards: Other Lists/Honors: Critics’ Picks: Leslie Halliwell/John Walker First posted 9/6/2019; last updated 5/30/2023.

The Fellowship of the Ring released

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Released: December 9, 2001 Studio: New Line Cinema Genre: fantasy Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 315.50 Worldwide: 898.20 Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 537.63 Worldwide: 1372.30

Directing: Peter Jackson Screenwriting: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson Starring: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett Review: “It may feature monsters, wizards and plucky little fellas with furry feet, but The Lord of the Rings isn’t a fairy tale. Which is why Peter Jackson’s adaptation worked so well; from this note-perfect first instalment, it was treated exactly as Tolkien intended — as a historical epic which just happens to be set in an alternative world.” E18 Fellowship marks “the beginning chapter of Frodo’s strange and mighty odyssey to the Cracks of Doom to destroy the ring. ‘There is only one Lord of the Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power.’” A07 Sources: A07 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition” E18 Empire (3/20/2018). “The 100 Greatest Movies”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Box Office: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 4 – including Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects Nominations: 13 – including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (McKellen), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song (“May It Be”), Best Sound Other Lists/Honors: Critics’ Picks: Leslie Halliwell/John Walker First posted 8/24/2019; last updated 6/2/2023.