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 King Kong (2005)Rated: PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images. Runtime: 187 mins. Director: Peter Jackson Writer: Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens Cast: Naomi Watts; Jack Black; Adrien Brody; Andy Serkis; Colin Hanks Memorable Quote: "There are thousands of actresses out of work in this city. Somewhere out there is a woman born to play this role... a woman who will journey into the heart of the unknown... toward a fateful meeting that changes everything." Tagline: The eighth wonder of the world. Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi Opens: December 14, 2005 Studio: Universal Pictures Official Site: kingkongmovie.com
Staying true to the original, Jackson sets the film in the 1930's, where we meet the three central human characters trying to make their way through the Great Depression. Carl Denham (Jack Black) is the impetus that drives the plot of King Kong. He's a flamboyant showman and struggling filmmaker who lures a down-and-out vaudevillian actress, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and a talented young playwright, Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) onto a tramp steamer to finish shooting his film. Jackson keeps the story in New York City for the film's first hour, patiently painting a vivid picture of depression-era New York City. It's in his master plan to familiarize the audience with each and every character, as human emotion plays such an important role in the success of the story. Carl Denham is a bit of a scoundrel who represents everything that's wrong with the film industry, then and now. He's greedy, he's unscrupulous and he'll lie to get his way. His latest whopper is to tell his crew that they are heading for Singapore to finish the film. But instead, he steers the ship toward an uncharted and mysterious destination known as Skull Island. Almost immediately upon arrival at the mist-enshrouded isle, things begin to go terribly awry. Ann is captured by the local aboriginal-type natives and offered as a human sacrifice to quell the beast the locals call Kong. There's a great anticipation before the audience is treated to the sight of Kong. The jungle quakes, and tree branches shake before Ann is eventually snatched up in the giant ape's hand. We've come to expect incredible visual effects from Peter Jackson. And here he doesn't disappoint. From a thrilling Brontosaurus roundup to the mighty Kong himself, the visual effects from Jackson's WETA workshop (the same outfit that worked on the Lord of the Rings series) are nothing short of spectacular. Kong is truly a sight to behold. Nearly every hair and wrinkle has its own animation key frame giving him a truly lifelike appearance. The only aspect of real-life movement that seems to have escaped the animators' skill set is the ability to add the appearance of weight and mass to animated objects. Kong gracefully runs and jumps through the jungle, be we don't see the effects of gravity on his skin and individual muscles as he hits the ground.
Upon his arrival in New York, Kong is put on display by the money-grubbing Carl Denham and billed as the "eighth wonder of the world." But his dreams of success are dashed when the angry Kong breaks his chains and runs rampant through the streets of Manhattan, destroying everything in its path. Although the action sequences are quite spectacular from a visual standpoint, it's the quieter moments that give the film its true lift. After all, King Kong is a love story. When Watts and Kong are on screen together, we feel a genuine emotional connection between the two. One scene in particular is especially memorable as the two perform their take on the obligatory hand-in-hand skate on a frozen pond by star-crossed lovers. Jackson's remake carries many of the original's messages about the effects of man's greed on nature and even takes a few ironic jabs at the film making industry. And as we expected from a man who so loved the original, Jackson allows the compassionate love story to punch through the digital spectacle to provide a colossal holiday treat that is technologically mind-blowing yet heartwarmingly endearing. Frank Wilkins
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Don't agree with this review? Have something to add? Read or post comments about this film or review on the KING KONG discussion forum. Screen formats: Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Number of discs: - 1 - Region 1, Keepcase Packaging.
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