Just got home from seeing The Two Towers. Impressive in a way, but a big disappointment too. Huge rewrites of the basic plot, without any discernible reason.

I think I understand why they resolved the battle of Helm's Deep the way they did, because the saving by the moving forest and the huorns is difficult to imagine presenting on screen, and as a matter of fact the real action in that regard is overnight and out of sight, and thus would probably be dull and unbelievable in a movie. I give the screenwriters that.

However, I can find no conceivable plot-forwarding reason for having Faramir take Frodo and Sam to Osgiliath to be in a battle that is merely a matter of report in the book. I suppose it to be in order to give another thrilling action scene.

There is neither a book justification nor any logical nor plot-furthering reason nor even action-creating reason for having the elves reinforce Helm's Deep.

If I hadn't read the book (5 times so far) I probably would think it a wonderful movie. As it is, I give it very mixed reviews.

Dave Oesterreich