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His name is Kong. King Kong. Don’t forget it because
he has anger issues. Larger than life and twice as long
as the original film Peter Jackson’s remake of “King Kong”
is an example of remaking a film the right way—Jackson updates
the story for a modern audience with frequently stunning
CGI effects. It’s also an example of remaking a film the
WRONG telling the same story as the 1933 original film but
at twice the length. It’s clear that Jackson loved “Kong”
and that love does come through in every single frame. ***
While the film runs about a half hour too long Jackson
fills every frame of the film with something interesting
to see. More importantly unlike the 1976 remake with Jeff
Bridges the film isn’t campy and lacks the broader satire
of that film. Jackson takes “Kong” seriously for the most
part staying true to the spirit of the originalwhile adding
in elements that would appeal to a much more savvy 21st
century audience. The performances from the entire cast
are admirable (particularly given that they were acting
to visual effects that hadn’t been completed something not
all actors can do well) and the writing by Jackson’s frequently
collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens (both of whom
co-wrote “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy with Jackson) provides
solid dialogue and characters (with two curious exceptions)
that the audience can identify with. ***
Ambitious film producer Carl Denham (Jack Black) has
plans to shoot a movie on an uncharted island. With an unfinished
script by noted writer Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) and
two solid leads ready for the adventure of a lifetime Denham
finds his chance at the big time finally arriving. The only
problem are Denham’s financial backers who want to pull
the plug on his latest venture. To make matters worse Denham
loses his leading lady forcing him to find a new one the
day he’s sailing. Denham finds starvingactress Ann Darrow
(Naomi Watts) and tricks Driscoll to stay on his ship long
enough for them to sail out of port also eluding his financial
backers who were going to have him arrested. Denham arrives
at the mystical Skull Island and is stranded along with
the crew when the ship runs aground on the reefs surrounding
the island. ***
The island natives kidnap Darrow and give her to their
god—Kong a giant silverback gorilla five times the size
of any man. Denham, Driscoll and the crew brave the dangers
of the prehistoric island to try and save Darrow. Denham
has his own plans for his disastrous trip—he plans on bringing
back Kong to New York and make millions. ***
While “Kong” hits most of the right notes Jackson curiously
also hits some wrong ones as well. As I mentioned previously
the film runs a bit too long. The original Kong ran around
100 minutes nearly half the time of this remake. While much
of that time is spent on fabulous set pieces such as a dinosaur
stampede much of it could also have been trimmed back without
hurting the film. Additionally, the subplot involving the
first mate and his charge Jimmy is clichéd and laughably
bad. Nevertheless, the stunning visuals and recreation of
New York in 1933 make the film memorable enough to overlook
these minor flaws. ---
Image & Sound:
Blu truly is Kong’s color. Sure, he could be presented
in other formats but this color just works for him. It compliments
his eyes “Kong” features a robust transfer with bright vivid
colors where appropriate particularly during the sequence
set among the foliage of Skull Island. Sharpness and clarity
are very good although the film probably would have benefited
from being spread across two discs allowing a much higher
bit rate. The bit rate though is respectable and it certainly
doesn’t hurt the image quality of the film. Audio is….terrific.
If you want to scare your neighbors or tick them off for
all those times they’ve had parties and haven’t invited
you or played their obnoxious music at 7am on Sunday morning,
crank this puppy up. Kong will bring you some sense of justice.
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