New York - He's back, and New York is besieged with King Kong fever: the newest film incarnation of hairy King Kong premiered to the world before 8,000 guests Monday evening who watched the beast once again climb up the Empire State Building.
Initial reviews of 'King Kong' have already proclaimed the Hollywood blockbuster by director Peter 'Lord of the Rings' Jackson to be a modern masterpiece.
The 200-million-dollar movie about the doomed love of a giant gorilla for a Hollywood actress hits cinemas as the annual box office take is slumping at least 6 per cent from last year's figure.
But hopes that director Jackson has fashioned a hit on par with his previous 'Lord of the Rings' epics have risen following initial reviews in the U.K. press.
'That Jackson's 'King Kong' upgrades the now hammy original with wit, heart and humour is a pleasant surprise,' wrote critic Kevin Maher in The Times. 'That it does so by reinventing the action blockbuster, in form and emotional impact, is nothing less than an act of cinematic alchemy.'
Jackson himself, who just finished editing the film a few days ago, said he needs more distance in order to judge the film.
Monday was declared King Kong Day by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in front of a massive replica of King Kong in Times Square.
Jackson and Naomi Watts, who plays heroine Ann Darrow, posed by the giant feet of the replica gorilla, whose movements in the film were portrayed by actor Andy Serkis, of Gollum fame from 'Lord of the Rings'.
'King Kong' opens December 14 in cinemas.
© dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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