Opened: December 18, 2002

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Craig Parker, John Leigh, Bruce Hopkins & John Bach

The second film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, this is definitely a middle film. The events follow the introduction that The Fellowship of the Ring set up and frames everything for an epic finale.

The film follows Frodo (Elijah Wood), Sam (Sean Astin) and the newly added Gollum (Andy Serkis) on their quest to destroy the One Ring. Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) escape capture. And, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) reunite with Gandalf (Ian McKellen) before battle.

Despite being a “middle film,” the storyline is still riveting and will connect you better with the characters making you root for them in the impending battles. The expansion of Gollums’s character is welcome and Serkis gives one of the most memorable performances as the creature.

Final say: Keeps up the series’ momentum. ★★★★☆