The Guardian
11-28-2003, 08:25 AM
I finally got a chance this last week to sit down and watch the extended edition of "The Two Towers". This version of the movie contains approximately 40 minutes of extra footage beyond the theatrical version. The DVD also contains some really excellent commentaries on how and why things were done in the movie. I actually watched some of this footage; the information particularly on how Gollum evolved was absolutely fascinating. Also the bit on MASSIVE (their software) and how battle scenes were created was very fascinating to the techie-geek in me.
But...back to movie!
Most of what was added to TT was character development scenes which really really helps explain the story and what exactly was going on. Some examples:
1. The wandering in the rocks at the beginning is a little longer; it gives the impression that they were lost in the hills for quite some time. Also more scenes with Gollum and you see the battle between his good/bad side start to emerge earlier.
2. Where the orcs are carrying Merry & Pippin, there is a confrontation between the smaller orks and Uriks, which explains the "food fight" scene later.
3. More scenes with Aragon an Eowyn. You understand quite clearly that he is the descendant of the kings; one is quite humorous where she attempts to make a stew...that...well...lets just say her strong suit is NOT cooking. Also see that she is falling in love with Aragon.
4. Much more scenes with the Ents. You see the time taken in the council of Ents, plus there is a humorous scene with Merry & Pippin caught in the Willow's roots in Treebeard's "home". You also see a scene where the forest takes care of the Orcs fleeing the battle of Helm's Deep.
5. One of the best scenes that really should have been in the theatrical was a flashback showing Borimir, Fairimir, and their father. It explains completely Fairmir's actions in the theatrical version and makes the changes that Jackson made to Fairimir's character easy to understand.
6. Some slight sundry extra scenes added to the Battle of Helm's Deep.
7. A humorous scene with Merry & Pippen "finding" the storerooms of Izengard after it is flooded. And two barrels of pipeweed... ;D
There are more, but I came away from this movie with a far better understanding of the story and characters. Highly recommended.
Also, the commentaries on this thing are fascinating. In a lot of cases, it can be considered useless filler crap. NOT here.
But...back to movie!
Most of what was added to TT was character development scenes which really really helps explain the story and what exactly was going on. Some examples:
1. The wandering in the rocks at the beginning is a little longer; it gives the impression that they were lost in the hills for quite some time. Also more scenes with Gollum and you see the battle between his good/bad side start to emerge earlier.
2. Where the orcs are carrying Merry & Pippin, there is a confrontation between the smaller orks and Uriks, which explains the "food fight" scene later.
3. More scenes with Aragon an Eowyn. You understand quite clearly that he is the descendant of the kings; one is quite humorous where she attempts to make a stew...that...well...lets just say her strong suit is NOT cooking. Also see that she is falling in love with Aragon.
4. Much more scenes with the Ents. You see the time taken in the council of Ents, plus there is a humorous scene with Merry & Pippin caught in the Willow's roots in Treebeard's "home". You also see a scene where the forest takes care of the Orcs fleeing the battle of Helm's Deep.
5. One of the best scenes that really should have been in the theatrical was a flashback showing Borimir, Fairimir, and their father. It explains completely Fairmir's actions in the theatrical version and makes the changes that Jackson made to Fairimir's character easy to understand.
6. Some slight sundry extra scenes added to the Battle of Helm's Deep.
7. A humorous scene with Merry & Pippen "finding" the storerooms of Izengard after it is flooded. And two barrels of pipeweed... ;D
There are more, but I came away from this movie with a far better understanding of the story and characters. Highly recommended.
Also, the commentaries on this thing are fascinating. In a lot of cases, it can be considered useless filler crap. NOT here.