This Christian Life

Two ‘Powers’

Okay. It’s been too long since last wednesday’s viewing of the Two Towers. On one hand I wanted to post immediately after viewing to give a fresh critique of the movie and capture my feelings and thoughts. On the other, I’m glad I waited because I think differently about it now.

I think the movie is great. My fears about it being too “evil” graphically may have been partially valid, but for the most part I was okay with it. Though I wouldn’t want to bring a child to see it. The special effects were great although I have to admit that I concentrated on Gollum’s character a little too closely and witnessed several mistakes. But, that’s the curse of being a designer. But none of this is really why I think the movie is good and worth recommending.

About 3/4’s of the way through the movie, it suddenly dawned on me. I realized what was going on between the two “powers” in the movie. Without simplifying too much, the movie represented the state that the world is in and continues to be in, and how we as humans see good, evil, and our journey before us.

Tolkien’s genious came through in grey, red, and metallic colors before me on screen. See, I have never read the 2nd or 3rd books in the series and didn’t know the story themes. It is absolutely brilliant the way that story represents all that we experience in life as we struggle against powers that are not “flesh and blood”

The monologue by Samwise at the end was incredible. I wanted to cry. It summarized the struggle that we face as humans, as Christians. I want a calligraphy version of that on my wall.

Cheers to Tolkien, Peter Jackson, the team of writers, and the rest for pulling this off!