12/21/2002 Entry:
"The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers - Peter Jackson (2002)"

In an earlier entry about Star Wars Episode II, I discussed how difficult it must be to act to a character or landascape that isn't there. I figured this could account for some of the wooden, lifeless performances in that movie. Then someone like Peter Jackson comes along, and makes these largely digital films that are so filled with life and energy that your realize that the only explanation for Star Wars' deficiencies is that Lucas is just a hack. I mean, I always suspected that, but I figured I would give him the benefit of the doubt. Bzzzzzzt.

I've got to say, having never read the books, I'm surprised how enthusiastic I am about these movies. I can't say enough about Jackson's direction and vision for these pictures. I enjoyed The Fellowship Of The Ring, but not outraegously. After seeing The Two Towers I realized these are really big screen movies. The scope and just vision of these films is extraordinary. Apart from anything else they are beautiful. The camera sweeps over the landscapes of New Zealand (and the digital superimpositions thereof) and its jsut great. Although that leds me to my one criticism of the films, which is that I wish Jackson would just lock his camera down once in a while. Its always crane shot here, dolly shot there, steadicam the other thing. Lots of swooping, although I admit my viewing situation wasn't the best and this may have affected my judgement. I was stuck ion the very front row at a stadium seating place, and the crane shots got a little stomach churning once in a while.

Everyone is talking about Gollum and so am I. This is the most amazing digital creation ever to come to the screen. He is so real, it really can't be described until you see it yourself. His skin just looks perfect. One of the thing I always hated about a lot of prior digital creations (like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park for instance) is that they were actually a little too perfect. Real living beings don't move and shimmy that perfectly, there are little imperfections that show up which the digital creatures didn't have. Gollum has none of that, the first truly realize all-digital character that I know of. When Gollum hurts you hurt, you feel his pain as if he was real, and lets face it half the time you don't even get that kind of feeling with human actors. To bring it to life with bits and bytes is quite extraordinary.

I mean, I could go on. Art direction - extraordinary. Right down to every little detail, every badge buckle and necklace. The creature designs are truly frightening and creepy. The ents! Another fully digital creation which came to life. Every one unique in their own way and even though only one of them talked you could still see a little bit of personality in all of them. This film is great, and I'm dying to see the last one.

Replies: 2 comments

I posted my comments on TTT on cinemarati.org, so I don't want to go through the trouble of rehashing them here. However, I was ruminating about TTT, and I think my response can be summed up thusly: the emotions I was expecting to have during Far From Heaven, I had in TTT. I don't know why that is, or the significance of it (and I'm not sure I *want* to know) but, seriously, I nearly cried twice during TTT. Go figure. Posted by Kent M. Beeson @ 12/27/2002 02:37 PM CST

yeah, it's strange. i got all choked up during one part of of TTT. the scene where the elves show up at helm's deep to help them defend the castle got to me. it felt weird, but i guess i can admit it happened. Posted by chris @ 12/27/2002 11:40 PM CST