Preview: King Kong

Movies Features

By Joshua Tyler Nov 18, 2005, 18:48 GMT

Director Peter Jackson may have been passionate about adapting J.R.R. Tolkien's massive fantasy novels "The Lord of the Rings", but his love of hobbits is nothing compared to the man's absolute obsession with a movie called 'King Kong'. For him, remaking that 1933 classic is the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

That’s right, this fall’s biggest movie is another remake, and a remake of a classic to boot. But if you’re going to redo a classic, it’s good to know that it’s being redone by someone with respect for the material. PJ doesn’t just respect it; he’s in love with it. ‘Kong’ is Peter’s favorite movie, and one he credits as a big part of what inspired him to become a filmmaker.

Of course you have to wonder, why would anyone want to remake their favorite movie? If it's your favorite, that generally means you like it the way it is, not that you think you could do better. Whatever his reasons, 'Kong' is ripe for updating. The 1933 version, a cutting edge landmark in its time, is now dated. Its black and white, stop-motion effects no longer hold up under the flash of modern marvels like Jackson's own 'Lord of the Rings' movies. Where a movie like 'Casablanca' is timeless, an effects heavy flick like 'Kong' can sometimes benefit from an upgrade every fifty years or so.

This isn't the first time that 'King Kong' has gotten a remake though. In 1976 Jeff Bridges took a stab and redoing it with Jessica Lange and Charles Grodin. The effects were better, but the rest of it wasn't. Let's not forget all the 'Kong' spin-offs too. The 1933 version had a sequel in 'Son of Kong'. In modern times (1986 to be exact) there was an attempt at a sequel called 'King Kong Lives'. Kong has also popped up to battle with other monsters. In 1962 he was enlarged and shipped overseas to battle Tokyo's own Godzilla in 'King Kong VS Godzilla'. He's been in cartoons, on lunchboxes, in comic books, and on posters tacked up in children's bedrooms. The big ape's legacy is undeniable, and Peter Jackson will try his damndest to do all of that justice. He is after all, a King Kong superfan.

database

Jack Black Picture Galleries

Peter Jackson Picture Galleries

View blog reactions

Latest Headlines in Movies

Talkback

There are currently no comments for this article. Be the first to comment! (no registration required)

Latest from M&C Blogs

Second presidential debate; no 'gamechanger' ? - Global Eye on October 8, 2008 5:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Debate: did McCain do enough? - Global Eye on September 29, 2008 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (24) | TrackBacks (1)

Should Sen. John McCain's health records be made public? - Global Eye on September 15, 2008 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (52) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival - Estomago - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival : It's Hard To Be Nice - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

London Film Festival - Dean Spanley - London Calling on October 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Devotee to Chinese Shrine of Sapam has face pierced - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indian Muslims offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Movies

Preview: King Kong

Movies Features

Jack Black Picture Galleries

Peter Jackson Picture Galleries

Latest Headlines in Movies

Talkback

Latest from M&C Blogs

King Kong

Related Articles

Similar articles

More about Jack Black

More about Peter Jackson

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print