The second film is better than the 1st in many ways too me. Both of these are gonna have to be viewed as some epic shit in years to come, I don't see anyway around it. Two Towers has more action and paints a darker, grimmer picture than The Fellowship did. There are many moving scenes throughout and the music is awesome to go along with this. You need to see this one on the biggest screen you can to really have the best experience possible. Everything here is right on as far as being an awesome film. These 1st two films of the trilogy are better than the 1st two newer Star Wars episodes in my opinion and that's a hard thing to admit honestly. These movies are indeed magical. It's kinda nice to watch a movie as jaded as I am these days and be able to feel like a kid again. We likes it precious. The battle at Helms Deep scene is the best battle scene I have seen in recent memory. Forget Brave Heart and that Gladiator shit, this scene rocks! I can't wait for the home release. If Return of the King is even as half as good as this, I will be happy. The world of Middle-Earth brought to life by Peter Jackson here looks awesome so far. Always one of my favorite directors, Jackson has got my total respect now, as bringing this classic tale to life is no easy task. Many hardcore fans of Tolkien are unhappy with certain changes that have been made, but I think this version is as close as can be made, all things considered. You have to understand a film is not a book and a book is not a film. With the money put into this, some changes had to occur to make it mainstream friendly. It's a sad fact, but that is the movie business. Luckily, it's still an awesome version of the book. I know avid fans of the book are mad about the elves inclusion at the battle of Helms Deep, as there were none in the book, but it works well in the movie and does show perhaps their one last glory before the rise of man. The biggest flaw here might be with the character of Foromir as compared to in the book. I can understand why some bitch about this, but he did show his better nature in the end. All said, this is another modern classic of fantasy and a special FX bonanza. These two movies have only created a renewed interest in Tolkien's work and that can never be viewed as a bad thing. I hope somebody gets Jackson to make The Hobbit a few years after the 3rd film, how awesome would that be?