RE-REVIEW: King Kong (2005)

I once reviewed this film a couple years back now I believe it was, but in the spirit of the Kong-a-thon, I'm doing this review from scratch, just for you. It was roughly ten weeks ago that I called the original King Kong movie the greatest big monster of all time. It's had a rather weak franchise to date with a few hidden gems, but let's face it, when you take into account some of the many Kong related things I've watched over this marathon... On second thought let's not go there. It's bad enough without having to relive some of it. However, through it all, Kong survived, and in 2005, Peter Jackson came along and it was announced he'd be remaking it, and this was a film that was coming off the heels of arguably his greatest film work, the Lord If the Rings trilogy. This is a film that has faced it's fair amount of criticism and praise for various reasons. What do I think of it?

I call it honestly the last great film of Jackson, because let's face it. The guy has fallen from grace. But what a film to come from the guy. Despite a few nitpicks, this is a film I will continue to defend, because as far as a remake is concerned, this is about as good as one can get. Who would have thought a Kong film could be so wonderfully developed? For this to delve deeper into this story, and bring forth such a wonderful side to it, it really is impressive. It absolutely nails the story of Kong, and thensome even improves some of it. This is unheard of in a remake.

Right off the bat, you are transported to New York in the 1930's and despite the overly done CGI environment, it looks wonderful. Jackson did a very good job of bringing this time to life, from the early stages of the Great Depression, to the costumes, to countless other things. And right off the bat, we discover that the characters we're familiar with are going to be developed in ways the original didn't do. We see Ann Darrow as this starving actor, trying to make a dime and failing to keep herself fed. We see Carl Denham as a much crazier movie director than before, and though it can be argued that he's a little too crazy in this film, he's portrayed wonderfully by Jack Black, which is a pleasant surprise to me. In fact, it can be said that most characters in this movie are fleshed out wonderfully. Even the crew. The only complaint I have here is that once the Skull Island scenes are done, the crew are no longer really in the film. They kinda just drop off the face of the Earth. It only makes me wonder why they bothered fleshing them out as they did, from the ships cook, to the first mate, to this young kid. There's really not a whole lot of payoff for these characters. Another one I don't care for is Jack Driscoll who isn't the first mate here, more a playwright. That's fine, but he's not particularly interesting. While I got one kinda like the normal guy they were trying to portray him as, they couldnd have made him standout a bit more.

But let's move away from what the movie nails for a brief moment and talk about its problems, because as much as I love this movie, this film does have some flaws. Particularly its length. At well over three hours, it rivals the Lord of the Rings films with its runtime, and unlike those films, a lot of the movie seems kinda drug out. It takes a full hour to get to Skull Island in this film, and it can try your patience. There are countless sequences in which the editing feels incredibly choppy or weird. From unnecessary slow motion, to extended dramatic reveals, to sequences that are unnecessary and feel more like they're meant to pad the already long runtime. They just don't really fit this picture to me. Another thing I don't particularly care for are the natives in this picture. While there certainly intimidating, and different than what we've seen, they kinda add an element I'm not entirely onboard with. They come across as somewhat supernatural in a sense. Something I don't really care for. This supernatural side introduced more choppy editing and stillness that just make this film drag. That said, the natives of the movie are again, very intimidating and creepy as hell, even if at times it's early over the top unnecessary. My uncle has brought forth this argument that they're more politically correct in how they're portrayed compared to the other films, and truthfully... I'm just here for an adventure.

Another thing I don't always care for is the overuse of CGI. While Peter Jackson I've more shows off his visual talent with these backgrounds and action sequences he's gone overboard with since, there are some effects that really could have been polished much better. There are times the CGI is beyond noticable, and just kinda clutters the screen. During this dinosaur stampede, after all these Apatosaurus trip over one another, we see Denham and Driscoll so obviously against a green screen of dinosaurs that are piling on top of one another. And during this ice skating sequence with Kong and Ann, Kong falls into the snow, and the snow that sticks to him feels like it belongs in an old PS2 video game. When your CGI is reminding me of the quality of certain sequences of 1998's Godzilla, you can probably polish your film a bit more.

But that's literally all the qualm I have for this picture. Practically everything else in this film is wonderfully done. Skull Island. It is easily the best depiction of this island of any Kong film. They brought back the mystery and the land stuck in time elements of the original Kong film, and added to it wonderfully. Here, the surviving dinosaurs have evolved over the millions of years, here they keep that infamous lost scene of the spider pit in one of the craziest sequences of the film, here they only add to the intimidation factor and the mystery of this island, from the time they venture out beyond the wall. In the extended version, they immediately have to fight off this dinosaur in one of my favorite scenes of the entire movie. The dialogue is priceless as they examine the future of this triceratops-like dinosaur, and someone asks "Aren't these supposed to be extinct?" To which the cook lights up a smoke and says, "They are now." It's a wonderful portrayal of this film, that really does give off the impression that this is no man's land. An island where literally every living thing is out to eat you alive, from the biggest dinosaurs, to the smallest insects.

The action of this film is also wonderfully done, even if at times over the top. It's all wonderful to look at, from Kong's dinosaur battles, to the survival of Skull Island, to the rampage of New York. But one thing I also really like is how fleshed out the relationship between Ann and Kong is. The movie develops their relationship out in ways no other film does. And it succeeds with flying colors. From Ann impressing Kong with her former stage acts, to Kong showing frustration to her repeated attempts to escape, to Ann eventually realizing that Kong doesn't intend to harm her, and eventually accepts his protection and company... it's all wonderfully done. It's done so well that it makes that climax at the end all the more hard to watch when Kong takes his last stand atop the Empire State Building. My favorite moment of the entire film is Ann and Kong sitting up there watching the sunrise. Kong has this look of sorrow, to the point where Ann is literally all he has left. You can tell he knows that this won't end well for him and he's just cherishing that moment with Ann. And it's suddenly interrupted when you hear those plane engines and see them flying across the screen not too far from them. It's a shot that sends chills down my back each and every time.

But the thing that this film does the best is without a doubt, how it stays true to the original film. I think going in, Jackson knew that he was about to tackle one of the best films of Hollywood, and he knew that people were going to be paying attention. And he did his homework. He understood that he could go bold, but that he'd need to hold back at the appropriate times. It's a wonderful blend. There are lines of dialogue pulled straight from the original film, as well as sequences that mirror the original. For example, while Kong fights not one, not to, but three evolved Tyrannosaurus Rexes, he finishes off the final Rex in the same manner as he did the one in 1933. Breaking it's jaw, and skull area, before playing with the jaw and roaring in triumph. Even smaller things, like some of the costumes of the stage performance mirroring that of the natives of the original Kong, are just done so well in taste I feel. I can't help but feel how it also adds a little historical touch as that what how we saw the island natives back in the day. There's even a few things I picked up that I hadn't noticed before. In New York, when Kong is onstage, the orchestra actually plays pieces of music STRAIGHT from the original Max Steinberg score of the original movie! NOW THAT IS AWESOME! Combined with an already great musical score in the film, this just adds a cherry on top of an awesome sundae.

I could go on with how much I love this film. But I think it is clear. Yes the film has flaws, but when it has such a payoff in the way it does, the emotions, the bonds that the original film lacks, let me tell you that some things are definitely well worth waiting for. I'm not gonna call it better than the original, but I will say it can share a spiritual place up there with the original. Why? Because this is a remake that is almost perfect. It stays true to the spirit of the original, it holds back when it needs to, and goes all out when it's safe to. This is a remake of quality that I've not seen done before, and may not see again. And that's why, Peter Jackson's 2005 remake was, and still is, the fullest rating I can give, a full on four stars out of four. It's not perfect, but with all that it can give us, the nitpicks I've pointed out can easily be forgiven when you look at the bigger picture. It has a respect for the original you won't see in any other remake. It doesn't lean on nostalgia for you to like it, and frankly, it doesn't need to. It's the film that FINALLY restored the magic into this franchise for me, and with Kong returning to the big screen this Friday? I can tell you that no one is more excited for the big guy's future.

Please feel free to request any film you'd like to see me review in the possible future. Leave a comment down below of your own thoughts on this film, and as always, thanks for reading.

I hope you've enjoyed my journey through the King Kong franchise these last few weeks, but it's not done yet... There is one more film to tackle and I'm tackling it Thursday night. Join me then for my SPOILER FREE review of Kong: Skull Island.

Final Verdict: 4/4

REVIEW: King Kong (2005)

God, I love monster movies.  I know that as a critic, that might sound a little silly since a lot of monster movies tend to end up in B-level cheesy movies, but man, when it's done right, it's done right! And lately, I've had giant monsters on my mind because....they're awesome.  I don't know.  All I know is that I've been wanting to review a big monster movie, and I had a lot of votes in a poll for Godzilla, and Jurassic Park.  They're on the way.  I promise.  But I'm kinda unsure how to start those reviews, so for a little inspiration, I went to King Kong.

Everyone knows the name King Kong, he's undoubtedly one of the most famous giant monsters out there in the film world.  He's big, he's strong, and he's one of America's most famous movie characters, his 1933 film rightfully preserved in the AFI's Hall of Fame.  And he was the first giant monster that I was introduced to outside the realms of dinosaurs, and rancors of Star Wars.  He easily became one of my favorite monsters I've ever had the pleasure of watching.  But as I grew up, I began to realize just how weak his franchise was.  I'm not kidding either, for such a strong film to come out of 1933, the other Kong films can be terrible.  The sequel to King Kong fell flat, the 1976 remake failed to capture any of the majesty of the creature, and its sequel was atrocious!  Even Toho didn't fully capture what made King Kong so great, when it pitted the iconic monster up against the legendary Godzilla.  Then Peter Jackson entered the picture.  So what was the result?

His remake of King Kong in 2005 was just...beautiful.  I fully mean that too.  It's about time that we got another quality movie in the Kong franchise.  Now that isn't to say it is without flaws, because there are flaws, but as far as overall quality, it not only matches the legendary status of the 1933 classic, in some ways...it can surpass it.  And I recently saw the original 1933 classic again.  Despite being outdated for the times, it still holds up, it still works, and it still has the ability to make your heart race.  A film from 1933 able to do that has earned it's place among history.  But despite this 2005 remake being just as good, it needs to be said that this remake is a very different movie than the 1933 film.

Where the 1933 film was mainly meant as a fun horror survival story, this movie digs deeper.  We all know that King Kong develops feelings of affection for the pretty Ann Darrow, but in 1933, that's about it.  Ann never looked at Kong as anything more than a monster.  Constantly screaming for her life.  Here, Ann's character is further developed, and the emotional bonds that are shared between both beast and beauty are seen.  Heck, there are times in the movie that you can pretty much understand what Kong is saying, or implying through body language, or the sounds he makes.  But Ann's character isn't the only one who's strengthened.  Nearly every character from the original story has been given a bigger backstory, or changed in some way shape or form.  Jack Driscoll is not longer the first mate as he was in 1933, he's been downplayed to a more normal guy role as a play writer.  Unfortunately, this can lead to some rather dull moments from him, but I see what they were going for. Carl Denham, played strangely, yet near flawlessly by Jack Black, is much more anxious about getting his film done, and has a bit of an extremist personality, wanting to finish his film, no matter the price.  It can be said that this kinda leads his character to have a bit of a Jurassic Park antagonist look (where he believes he's in full control until nature runs out of his control), but it's still very well done.  But the character development ironically leads to the first fault of this film.

The characters are developed wonderfully, but it ultimately leads to many subplots, and many relationships and backgrounds that go nowhere.  There are two characters on the ship, the first mate Benjamin and a younger member of the crew named Jimmy who share a bond, almost like father and son.  Benjamin shows legit concern and care for Jimmy, who is rebellious, and headstrong.  Eager for adventure.  They get into this background for Jimmy but the thing is, the subplot is not really present in the film, and though you can see the pain Jimmy goes through after Benjamin is brutally killed, there's not much that is discovered about Jimmy as a person, yet the film can focus a lot on him.  But once Kong is captured, he and the rest of the surviving crew are never seen or mentioned again.  

This also leads to the second fault of the film, and the biggest complaint the film receives, the length.  At three hours and twenty minutes (extended), King Kong's running time is no joke, and there is a lot of material I feel that could have easily been cut.  Nearly an hour into the film, we are still watching the boat crossing the seas towards Skull Island.  And even after the action has been going or is picking up, there are so many awkward camera shots and whatnot that just didn't need to be there.  Awkward and unnecessary slow motion shots, choppy editing, particularly during the scenes with the Skull Island Natives.  And another scene that was lovely to watch, but just didn't need to be there was a sequence in New York, where Kong and Ann reunite, and share a little moment on a frozen lake.  I'm sure it's very fun for Kong who has never been on ice before, but it was a decently drawn out scene, that could have at the very least been cut down (and I can also say that it is one of the few scenes where the CGI does stand out in the wrong way).

But honestly, these are just minor gripings from me.  Because the film easily makes up for such shortcomings. Despite it being long, we are given a gorgeous, and very well played out visual of Skull Island, which is crawling with life, from the large majesty of Kong himself, to the stunning and well played evolved survivors of the Dinosaur ages, to a breathtaking and well done recreation of the infamous Spider Pit sequence, which was taken from the original film.  Skull Island hasn't looked so great on screen since 1933, and back then it was an impressive place to show.  The stop motion of the dinosaurs by WIlllis O'Brien is flawless, and at times even scary!  Jackson's well executed CGI visuals give the place a new life.  The iconic fight between Kong and the T-Rex has been revamped immensely, now a fight between what is called a Vastatosaurus Rex, which is basically the Tyrannosaurus Rex, after about 65 million years of evolution.  And he doesn't just fight one, he takes on three of them!  But what's awesome about this is the fact that it's not just trying to outdo the original.  In fact, many movements, and lines of dialogue in this movie are mirrored or echoed from the 1933 film.  This fight may add more, but it doesn't take away anything from the original.  It just does its own thing, while paying homage to the original as Kong kills the third V-Rex, snapping the jaw like the original, and letting out that roar of victory, as he did back in 1933.  

And of course, we gotta talk about the climax.  Kong's final fight atop the Empire State Building is a scene that is legendary all on its own.  And why wouldn't it be?  Back in 33, the Empire State Building had only been open about two years, so with Kong fighting on top of back then, the world's tallest building, the suspense must have been beyond dramatic.  The thing is, I feel that the climax of 1933 was a bit rushed, again probably due to the fact that it was a horror movie in its day.  Here, the climax bides its time, and it's actually quite emotional to watch.  When Kong reaches the top, he has this look of despair, as if he knows what's coming.  You can tell him possibly thinking of home, possibly thinking of how he has no clue where he is, and how Ann is the only one who might understand what he's going through as he watches his final sunrise.  And as all this is going on, it's interrupted by the sound of the engines of war planes...and you just get chills down your spine at the sight of them.

What follows is some of the most well played monster against human combat I've ever seen.  Some might call it a bit over the top, but you can just see it happening in such a way, that it's not at all bothersome.  In fact, you cannot look away. And with the bonds that both Ann and Kong share, you feel a legitimate pain as Kong is killed right before your eyes.  It's not you rooting for the planes to save Ann, you'll find yourself cheering each time Kong is successful in downing a plane.  And it makes the scene all the more sad to watch, because you know how the story ends. Beauty kills the beast.

With all this being said, I'm honestly surprised it gets the dirt that it gets.  Do I wish it were shorter?  In some places...yes.  But there are scenes even in the extended edition that I feel shouldn't have been removed, and as I said...as long as it is, when the action picks up, it really picks up, and has you hooked.  Any frustration that I personally feel when watching this film is just erased.  The casting is great, the environments, from Skull Island to a poverty stricken New York City, are beautiful.  And the story, as good as I remember, and about as good as it gets.  It goes to show that the legacy of King Kong is far from dead, and that good things can still come from this franchise.

All this brings me to my final conclusion.  I am pleased to give Jackson's rendition of King Kong, a full four out of four stars.  Despite a few nitpickings, this film was successful in capturing Kong's former glory, and even adding glory of it's own.  It's not just a rehashing of the same story you know.  It can stand out on it's own at times, and just blow your mind with it's execution.  It's a monster movie I will enjoy time and time again.  But I won't lie, with a prequel now in the works, I am unsure if that glory can be matched, or captured again.  Especially since sequels have failed inthe past.  I won't jump to any conclusions, but until we see what this prequel, which is set on Skull Island (stoked about that) has in store for us, I will continue to watchi this and it's 1933 predecessor with high hopes.

Please feel free to request any movie for me to review down below.  Leave a comment on what your thoughts are of the film.  And as always, thanks for reading.

Final Verdict: 4/4