The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" on Blu-ray showcases several refinements compared to its previous releases. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, sourced from a new HD master, addresses many concerns from the 2010 theatrical cut. Notable improvements include the reduction of edge halos and the near elimination of compression artifacts, benefiting from the film's distribution over two BD-50 discs. Skin tones are lifelike, contrast remains strong and reliable, and black levels are deep and earthy. Lesnie's bleak color palette is faithfully reproduced, and intricate textures, such as Gandalf's beard, Gollum's scars, and the detailed environments of Rohan and Helm’s Deep, are exceptionally well-rendered.

Despite these improvements, some issues inherent to the original photography remain. There are slight occurrences of crush and noise spikes, although they are not overly distracting. Notably, some special effects sequences exhibit softness, indicative of their age rather than flaws in the new transfer. While minor edge tampering can occasionally be observed, it does not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience. No significant aliasing or artifacting issues were noted, ensuring a visually cohesive presentation.

Overall, although "The Two Towers" doesn't achieve a dramatic leap in visual quality compared to its earlier Blu-ray editions, it remains a solid presentation. The stark white snows, azure skies, and improved green tones offer visual highlights that enhance the viewing experience. While some may find fault with the inherent limitations of the original material, the transfer is a commendable effort that preserves the integrity of Jackson and Lesnie’s vision.

The DTS-HD Master Audio tracks of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" Extended Edition on Blu-ray elevate the cinematic experience to new heights. Dialogue remains consistently crisp and intelligible, with voices—whether human, beast, or ethereal warrior—reproduced with stunning clarity across the entire soundfield. The LFE output is both powerful and aggressive, underpinning the film's many battle sequences and environmental sounds with a deep, resonant bass that is both impressive and immersive. Particularly noteworthy are the ambient sounds, from the murmurs of Fangorn Forest to the epic clamor of the battle at Helm's Deep, all executed with impeccable directionality and smooth pans.

The soundscape is richly layered, providing an enveloping and engaging auditory experience. Howard Shore’s iconic score is skillfully integrated into the mix, ensuring it never overpowers the film’s intricate sound design. The dynamic range showcased in this release is exceptional, with volume spikes that are both perfectly timed and emotionally impactful. Furthermore, the variation in bass frequencies adds a unique and fun dimension to intense scenes, making each burst of power feel fresh and profoundly cinematic. The encompassing audio experience captures everything from the subtle echoes in cavernous spaces to the earth-shaking roars of beasts and battle cries, making every moment of this epic journey resound with auditory brilliance.

Overall, this release stands as a testament to the unmatched quality of DTS-HD Master Audio in delivering a flawless, immersive experience. From the piercing screeches of the undead to the thunderous footsteps of massive creatures, every element is rendered with precision and depth, ensuring viewers are consistently placed in the heart of Middle-earth. The trilogy's audio presentation remains unparalleled in its clarity, power, and meticulous attention to detail, making it a must-experience for fans and audiophiles alike.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" is an exhaustive treasure trove of insights and behind-the-scenes content that will delight any fan. The extras are comprehensive, spanning a diverse range of topics from in-depth audio commentaries and detailed production documentaries to interactive maps and intriguing design galleries. Notable highlights include Costa Botes' feature-length documentary and the four full-length audio commentaries, which are adeptly edited and deeply engaging. While all extras are presented in standard definition, the sheer volume and quality of the content more than make up for this drawback.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentaries: Four tracks with key personnel, ranging from directors and writers to actors.
• Easter Egg: A humorous MTV Movie Awards short featuring Gollum.
• The Lord of the Rings: War in the North - The Untold Story: Trailer for the upcoming videogame.
• The Appendices Parts 3 & 4 Introduction: Peter Jackson’s introduction to the extended appendices.
• J.R.R. Tolkien: Origins of Middle-earth: Exploration of Tolkien's life and inspirations.
• From Book to Script: Finding the Story: Challenges and changes in adapting The Two Towers.
• Designing and Building Middle-earth: Detailed documentaries on the film's intricate design work.
• Gollum: Four segments exploring the creation and performance of Gollum.
• New Zealand as Middle-earth: Featurettes on location scouting in New Zealand.
• Middle-earth Atlas: An interactive map with film clips tracing character journeys.
• Filming The Two Towers: Extensive behind-the-scenes on principal photography.
• Visual Effects: Examination of miniatures, CGI, and abandoned concepts.
• Editorial: Refining the Story: Insights into the editing process.
• Music and Sound: Exploration of sound design and Howard Shore’s score.
• The Battle for Helm's Deep is Over...: Look-ahead to post-production efforts for the next film.
• Costa Botes' Two Towers Documentary: An observational documentary capturing the production process.

Peter Jackson's adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" masterfully brings to life J.R.R. Tolkien's rich and immersive world while making deliberate yet effective deviations from the source material for cinematic impact. Jackson’s version of "The Two Towers" seamlessly intertwines Aragorn and Frodo's distinct journeys, a choice that Tolkien himself might have objected to. However, Jackson’s focused and poetic direction ensures that the core spirit and heart of Tolkien’s narrative shine through vividly, resonating emotionally with audiences. Notably, the narrative is enriched with Sam utilizing his Elvish rope, Théodred's funeral in Rohan, and extended scenes involving Merry, Pippin, and Treebeard, making the extended version even more rewarding.

The performances are another highlight, with Andy Serkis’s portrayal of Gollum standing out as an iconic success in melding vocal talent and motion capture technology. David Wenham’s Faramir, Miranda Otto’s Eowyn, and Bernard Hill’s Théoden deliver compelling additions to the ensemble cast, though Wenham’s character suffers from less development compared to his cinematic sibling. While the introduction of Treebeard and the Ents introduces brief narrative sluggishness, their inclusion ultimately serves the greater purpose of demonstrating nature's power over industrial forces.

Compared to its predecessor, "The Two Towers" introduces a lighter comedic tone through Gimli’s humorous predicaments, balancing the film's dark themes. The grand battle sequences, especially Helm's Deep, are monumental in scale and tension. Yet, the film occasionally resorts to deus ex machina moments which can undermine the narrative cohesion. Nonetheless, Jackson's second installment maintains a riveting pace and depth, underscoring his instinctive grasp of translating Tolkien's complex literary text into a cohesive cinematic experience that resonates emotionally with both new viewers and long-time fans of the saga.

The Extended Edition Blu-ray release of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" is a fantastic offering that emphasizes the film's superiority within an iconic trilogy and delivers exceptional technical quality. The video transfer is impressive, spread across two BD-50 discs, though it retains minor imperfections that are easily overlooked given its overall performance. Furthermore, the DTS-HD Master Audio track is outstanding, making for an immersive auditory experience that enhances the film's epic grandeur.

Packaging-wise, this 5-disc set mirrors the previous trilogy release but features distinct cover art, an SD Ultraviolet copy, and lacks a paper booklet describing its contents. The hefty supplemental package, which includes hours of special features from past releases, is expansive and rewarding for fans. However, it's worth noting that if you already own the trilogy set, this individual release offers no significant upgrade. For those who haven't yet committed to the full trilogy boxed set, it might still be the more economical choice, while individual releases appeal through their unique aesthetic and if only specific films are preferred.

Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. How did it come to this?

The Extended Edition release of The Two Towers brushes nearer to perfection. The film itself is arguably the best of the trilogy (a trilogy that already towers over most every fantasy film since), its supplemental package is vast and rewarding, and its DTS-HD Master Audio track is outstanding. Yes, a few kinks remain in the otherwise striking video presentation, but they're all easy to overlook, particularly when the rest of Warner's transfer, spread comfortably across two BD-50 discs, is so impressive. It even offers a small upgrade when compared to the theatrical cut's Blu-ray presentation. I couldn't ask for much more from the transfer or the entirety of the 5-disc set.