The Rewatch Party 212 - Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

2025-02-16

In this episode of The Rewatch Party, Nick, Anthony, Elise, and Manny take on the middle chapter of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. As the bridge between The Fellowship of the Ring and Return of the King, this film has the challenge of furthering the story while standing on its own. The hosts dive into its darker tone, breathtaking battle sequences, and the way it develops both old and new characters. Of course, they also debate whether it holds u...

In this episode of The Rewatch Party, Nick, Anthony, Elise, and Manny take on the middle chapter of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. As the bridge between The Fellowship of the Ring and Return of the King, this film has the challenge of furthering the story while standing on its own. The hosts dive into its darker tone, breathtaking battle sequences, and the way it develops both old and new characters. Of course, they also debate whether it holds up as a rewatchable classic or simply a long trek through Middle-earth.

Anthony, the group's resident Lord of the Rings superfan, eagerly breaks down the film’s strengths, from the introduction of Gollum as a fully realized CGI character to the legendary Battle of Helm’s Deep, which he argues is one of the greatest cinematic battles ever filmed. Elise appreciates the film’s storytelling but questions whether it drags in parts, particularly with the Ents and their slow-moving deliberations. Meanwhile, Manny finds himself entertained but struggles with the fact that the movie, like the first, doesn’t have a true ending—just another cliffhanger leading into the final chapter.

Nick, always one to poke holes in popular films, takes aim at the sheer amount of walking yet again but does admit that The Two Towers delivers some of the best action of the trilogy. The hosts discuss whether this film feels like a full experience or just a stepping stone to Return of the King, leading to a heated (and hilarious) debate over whether middle movies can truly stand alone. And of course, Gollum’s split personality performance gets plenty of attention, with more than one host attempting their best impression.

By the end of the discussion, the group weighs in on The Two Towers’ place in the Rewatch Party collection. Is it a must-see installment that demands revisits, or is it just the necessary middle piece that works best when watching the entire trilogy in one sitting? With passionate arguments, a few unexpected tangents, and plenty of laughs, this episode is a journey worthy of even the most dedicated Tolkien fans.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167261/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1

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