![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
Review - King Kong
It took us two night to watch King Kong, just due to its length. I have seen both other versions (the original and the 1976 remake) and this one is much superior to the earlier remake and not easily comparable to the original. It had a lot going for it, solid cast, amazing special effects, Peter Jackson as director. But it just does not pay off, the story of Kong never makes the leap to completeness. My Grade: C/C+
I divide the movie into three sections:
Part 1, the Ship: Introducing the characters and the situation. The best part of the movie, in my opinion, the characters are well drawn and their interactions are fun. The recreation of NYC, circa mid-depression was brilliant. The ship and its crew were intriguing and begged to be explored more. The island was a character in its own right and the degenerate tribal people were right out of Lovecraftian pulp. My Grade: A-
Part 2, the hunt for Ann: The special effects, wow, just wow. Kong moved like a real ape and was very expressive. The ancient architecture was fascinating and the dinosaurs were very well animated. But the plot and internal logic went to hell. The interesting crew were killed, without any benefit to the plot, except for the Captain who survived (but entirely vanishes from part 3). And the bug scene went on way to long. My Grade: C-
Part 3, New York: Again, wonderful special effects. Characterization, who needs characterization? We have special effects! Once Kong escapes (without serious effort) from his bonds, the Army is called in and seem to feel no compulsion about firing machines guns and artillery in the heart of NYC. Ann seems to feel her role in life is to crawl out on dangerous open ledges and distract Kong as he is fighting for his life. (Also, note that the fighters were using the same rounds as the rifles that totally failed to hurt Kong in Part 2.) And Jack Black's characters line of "It was beauty that killed the beast" became a total non-sequitur as his character did not witness any of the endgame. My Grade: D
Random thought: Can Jack Black play a reputable character?
I divide the movie into three sections:
Part 1, the Ship: Introducing the characters and the situation. The best part of the movie, in my opinion, the characters are well drawn and their interactions are fun. The recreation of NYC, circa mid-depression was brilliant. The ship and its crew were intriguing and begged to be explored more. The island was a character in its own right and the degenerate tribal people were right out of Lovecraftian pulp. My Grade: A-
Part 2, the hunt for Ann: The special effects, wow, just wow. Kong moved like a real ape and was very expressive. The ancient architecture was fascinating and the dinosaurs were very well animated. But the plot and internal logic went to hell. The interesting crew were killed, without any benefit to the plot, except for the Captain who survived (but entirely vanishes from part 3). And the bug scene went on way to long. My Grade: C-
Part 3, New York: Again, wonderful special effects. Characterization, who needs characterization? We have special effects! Once Kong escapes (without serious effort) from his bonds, the Army is called in and seem to feel no compulsion about firing machines guns and artillery in the heart of NYC. Ann seems to feel her role in life is to crawl out on dangerous open ledges and distract Kong as he is fighting for his life. (Also, note that the fighters were using the same rounds as the rifles that totally failed to hurt Kong in Part 2.) And Jack Black's characters line of "It was beauty that killed the beast" became a total non-sequitur as his character did not witness any of the endgame. My Grade: D
Random thought: Can Jack Black play a reputable character?