DVD Review
New release rings true as viewers treated to featurettes
by Tamara Collins, Reporter

   The latest installment of Peter Jackson's adaptation of Lord of the Rings, based on JRR Tolkien's epic novel, has finally arrived on DVD.
   Tolkien's book became the single most popular book of the 20th century, second only to the Bible, and with the release of The Two Towers, Jackson's films seem set to claim that distinction in the world of cinema.
   The DVD offers more than two hours of extras including featurettes on direction, makeup and various other parts of the production process.
   Viewers can see everything from the construction of cities and the battles staged there to the set's ultimate destruction.
   With 5 a.m. set calls, the actors are smiling, even in the bitter cold, legions of Orcs and elves alike can be seen singing and dancing in order to stay warm.
  The extras also show interviews with all of the main characters, the filmmakers and the artisans at WETA Workshop, the in-house production team responsible for the design and execution of all the models, makeup, arms, sets and animation used to bring Middle Earth to life.
   The DVD even offers a section just for the ÒBad-guys,Ó which shows how their makeup and costumes were designed and created.
   Those unfamiliar with the world of Lord of the Rings can view an in-depth explanation as to what is happening at this point in the epic story.
   Though there are thousands of characters, the DVD extras show the most intimate parts of the production procedure, most notably the creation of Gollum, the former hobbit doomed to insanity by his extended possession of the ring.
   The creation of Gollum, a completely animated character, still required a human's touch. The actor, who supplied the voice, was put into place to interact with other characters and then removed in order to insert the animated version, whose movements were triggered by a motion-capture suit the actor wore.
  Viewers can see how masses of Orcs and other soldiers as well as several other species of Middle Earth were created with computer animation.
   Hours were spent creating the various species, and, while those in close-ups are real actors, the majority in the wide shots is animated, making a hundred extras look like thousands.
   A section on the WETA armory illustrates the tradesmen making authentic swords and armor using period methods. With this authenticity came problems.
   The designers knew the weapons would not be able to stand up to the reverberations of constant battle, so for close-up shots where the dummy swords could not be used, the props department filled the hilts with rubber to reduce the shock on the weapon.
   This was revolutionary to the prop industry, and not one sword broke during the whole production.
   Explanation of set designs and their creation are told through the eyes of Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Elijah Wood (Frodo), as well as several other characters who show the beauty and classic nature of the buildings and the set in which they perform.
   Also, the actors display camaraderie throughout the video interviews.
   Since all three movies were filmed simultaneously over two years, the cast and crew said they formed a permanent bond and are now like family.
   They also helped Sean Astin make The Long and Short Of It, a short film also included on the extras DVD.
   Lord of the Ring buffs who shelled out $22 for a copy of the movie may be disappointed when a longer version of the movie, like the Fellowship of the Rings Special Edition, comes out in November. The Special Edition promises four hours or more of extras and 45 minutes of deleted scenes blended into the original movie.
   The extras in this first version will leave the viewer screaming for more. With the release of the Return of the King slated for this December, Lord of the Ring junkies will get their fix with the last dose of the trilogy coming soon to a theater near you.