Peter Jackson’s King Kong takes its time to deliver a remake that has all the heart of the 1933 original film, but also maintains the brilliant special effects and rollercoaster excitement that you would expect from the director. Also, the film is filled with dinosaurs, huge spiders, and one big bad gorilla.
Jackson’s version of the film, which was a labor of love for the director, returns the story to the 1930s setting (unlike the 1976 remake which brought into the modern time), and follows a group of filmmakers as they journey to the mysterious Skull Island to make the ultimate movie. On the island, they discover that it isn’t as abandoned as they thought, and it is filled with a variety of strange creatures – some that were believed to be extinct.
The crew is led by director Carl Denham (Jack Black) – who is less than honest about how his film is being financed and even where he intends to shoot the film. He cons actress Ann Darrow (Noami Watts) into taking a part in the movie, and cons Captain Englehorn (Thomas Kretschmann) into departing without the proper paperwork by paying him with a check that will no doubt bounce. Denham also tricks screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) into joining the group by having the ship take off with him on board.
Once the ship is underway, we are slowly introduced to all the characters - including a great scene stealing Andy Serkis as the ship’s cook Lumpy. This first part of the film does drag a bit, and the journey to Skull Island probably could have been shortened.
Jackson takes his time letting you get to know all of the characters; developing the love story between Brody and Watts; making sure we know that Black is the type of guy that will use any situation to his own personal advantage; and building the suspense of the mysterious Skull Island.
Once the ship arrives at the island, we learn this isn’t some normal place, and the film doesn’t intend to drag anymore. Black and crew quickly go ashore - which leads them to a clash with the local natives, and causes the death of a couple of the film crew. They are rescued by the ship’s captain and his men, and Black promises to make sure all the proceeds of the film will go to the dead men’s families – a line he will say several times as other film crew die.
Go ahead, make my day
When Watts is kidnapped by the natives, the movie really kicks into overdrive, and the rollercoaster ride is on. We finally meet Jackson’s interpretation of Kong (a far cry from the 1933 stop motion ape or the 1976 guy in a gorilla suit). In a ceremony, Watts is sacrificed to the beast, and new type of love story begins.
Jackson and his special effects crew once again prove that they know how to handle CGI effects and the next hour of the film (where Brody and rescue party set off to save Watts) is a special effects mind blowing experience. The director returns the dinosaurs to Skull Island (the 1976 version just had Kong wrestle a big snake), and at times it feels like something out of Jurassic Park. Brody and gang not only have to deal with following one mad monkey, but battle stampeding dinosaurs and oversized bugs. By the time they come face to face with Kong, they have already lost half their numbers and are greatly overmatched.
While all that is going on, Watts and Kong start to bond. Once again Jackson takes a CGI character (performed by Serkis) and really makes you care about the creature. Watts is extremely good in her acting with Kong and helps sell the fact that the creature is “real.” You can’t help but start liking the big ape when he laughs while Watts performs for him. This helps you get even more invested in the upcoming battle between Kong and the T-Rex.
The Kong and T-Rex (actually he fights three) battle is probably one of the best use of special effects you will ever see, and really keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is a long fight, and worth the price of the DVD by itself.
After all the adventure of Skull Island, the movie shifts to New York for the iconic battle between Kong and the planes on top of the Empire State Building. Once again, Jackson mixes some emotion along with the action. As Kong rips through the city (causing massive damage), all the action stops for a few more moments of tenderness between Watts and the monkey. These scenes once again get you caring about Kong and set you up for the emotional ending to the film. They also show how Jackson is truly a master storyteller. We all know how King Kong is going to end, but you can’t help hoping somehow he will make it out alive.
King Kong has the visual effects you would expect from Peter Jackson
The movie does have some problems, and it mostly falls on the film’s pacing. Jackson takes too much time getting to Skull Island, and you almost feel like you have watched a whole movie by the time they reach it. Once at Skull Island, the film becomes a visual overload with tons of CGI creatures and huge fights. The fight between the crew and a bunch of spiders, worms and other bugs is great to watch, but also a bit over the top. I must admit I still loved every second of it. Also, you once again feel like you have watched a full movie by the time they leave Skull Island, and have to wonder how much more you can take. When Kong takes on New York, it is a fun ride, but you also feel a little grateful the movie is finally getting to the end. I loved every minute of the film, but it was a bit long.
All of the actors do a great job in the movie, but Watts and Serkis (in both the Kong role and as Lumpy) really own the film. Watts does an excellent job making you feel like Kong is a real creature, and selling that all of this could be possible. Serkis delivers a ton of laughs as Lumpy, and then really makes you love Kong. Like his performance as Gollum in Lord of the Rings, Serkis proves that there is acting talent behind the CGI effects.
Serkis' facial features for Kong are great, and really get you into the whole movie. You will crack up during scenes where Watts and Kong are playing on the ice in New York, and your blood will get to pumping when Kong stares down the T-Rex. It almost seems like the giant gorilla is saying “go ahead make my day” to the dinosaur. You also have to love the look he gives Brody in New York right before the chase begins.
The two-disc special edition of King Kong comes loaded with special features that fans of the movie will really love. Disc One includes a look at the making of the King Kong and Volkswagen Touareg commercial. The feature also includes the actual commercial that ran and is about two minutes long. The disc also includes See More of NYC in “Wish You Were Here” - a preview for a movie featuring New York City.
Disc Two has the really great features including Kong’s New York (which is about 28 minutes long); Skull Island: A Natural History (which is about 17 minutes); and the really great special feature Peter Jackson Production Diaries #55-#67 (which is about 58 minutes long).
Brody risks all to save Watts from Kong
Kong’s New York is a look at the time period that Jackson chose for his version of King Kong’s story. The feature has interviews with Jackson, crew from the film, the film’s actors and historians. It explores New York during The Great Depression and the 1930s. This is an interesting feature, but may be lost on people who don’t enjoy history. It isn’t really a look at King Kong, but the era where the film is set and why Jackson felt it was the right time period for the film.
Skull Island: A Natural History takes a look at the “history” of Kong’s mysterious home, and includes “archive” footage from expeditions to the island in the late 1930s and 1940s. It also has interviews with Jackson, his special effects crew, and production teams. The feature is really interesting and explores the back story to Kong’s home – including how the dinosaurs survived, who the first humans on the island were, and how the history of Kong’s race.
The Post Production Diaries, which include an introduction from Jackson, are an extremely detailed look at what went into the editing, mixing, and final touches of the getting King Kong ready for the big screen. This is something that fans of King Kong: Peter Jackson’s Production Diaries (that was released on DVD in December of 2005) will really enjoy.
It may be a bit too much detail for fans just wanting the standard “making of” feature, but also show how Jackson likes to have the fans involved in every detail of his movie. You can watch the diaries in a play all mode, by post diary production date, or post production diaries by department. It includes looks into the pick-up, miniatures, visual effects, sound, music and premieres.
The rescue features more dangers than just Kong on Skull Island
Since 1933, King Kong has been an icon of Hollywood, and Jackson delivers a movie that does this icon justice. It is not just a monster romp, but a film filled with emotion. The movie takes its time in telling a story that has a little something for everyone. It is a rollercoaster ride at times, and a heartfelt story. The special effects are great and many of the scenes will have you on the edge of your seat. The film does drag from time to time, but Jackson more than makes up for it once Kong hits the screen. I highly recommend this movie to anyone wanting to watch a truly great film.
King Kong is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK . Visit the DVDs database for more information.
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