THE TWO TOWERS

If the first LORD OF THE RINGS movie left you wanting more, there's no need to wait until the next film hits theaters in December. Rob Inglis's gritty reading of the second part of Tolkien's epic trilogy neatly picks up where the first film and book left off, as our hobbit heroes, Frodo and Sam, seek to destroy the infamous Ring of Power. Those who experienced the first part of the trilogy via the movie will have to adjust to the more lyrical storytelling style and moderate pace of Tolkien's text (as well as many breaks for song). Inglis generally keeps things moving along nicely and, with his variety of well-conceived voices and characterizations, quite entertainingly. J.P.M. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]