Peter Jackson’s King Kong is the second remake of the 1933 classic from RKO Pictures. The last time we saw the giant ape grace the silver screen, he was protecting his newfound mate in the ludicrous 1986 guilty pleasure, King Kong Lives, which was a sequel to the also highly panned 1976 remake that was produced by Dino De Laurentiis.
Jackson originally wanted to start production on this film immediately following the completion of his 1996 film, The Frighteners. However, licensing and ownership struggles forced Jackson to put the idea away for a while. With that, Jackson decided to work on the Lord of The Rings trilogy instead. Due to the astounding success of the three film epic, Jackson was given the go-ahead and was finally able to fulfill a boyhood dream and create his own visual interpretation of this beloved and tragic tale of a girl and her ape.
Set during the era of the Great Depression, the plot remains relatively loyal to the original. Carl Denham (Jack Black), an overtly obsessive filmmaker, is in danger of having his financial backers shut down production of his adventure film. On top of that, he just lost his leading lady. In a chance meeting, he meets Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts), an out-of-work stage actress who is about to face the struggles of poverty. The two, however, are the resolutions to their problems. Denham can give Darrow the work she needs while Darrow is a more than suitable replacement for the vacant role. Without any further hesitation, Denham and Darrow board a rundown steamer and journey to an uncharted island that will serve as the backdrop for the director’s greatest work. Coming along for the journey, against his own will, is Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), an acclaimed screenwriter who in the long run develops a romance with Ann. Also aboard are Denham’s assistant (Colin Hanks), Hollywood “tough guy†Bruce Baxter (Kyle Chandler) and a group of rugged sailors who are unaware of their destination.
When they arrive to the supposedly deserted isle, which is properly named “Skull Islandâ€, they are attacked by a group of seemingly possessed natives. The savage-like inhabitants kidnap Ann and make her a gift of sacrifice to their “godâ€, which is in the form of a 25-foot ape. Instead of eating her, the monkey falls in love. To make a long story (and what a great one it is) short, Driscoll and the crew, after scurrying through a jungle littered with prehistoric beasts and oversized insects, rescue the girl. Denham, however, sees a fortune of money in the giant primate. With that, Kong is captured and brought back to the states to serve as an entertainment attraction. Need I explain what follows after?
Peter Jackson has created a tale that not only is faithful to the original source but also stands on its own as a great film. It’s the type of movie that will thrill you with its knack of adventure, laugh at its brand of humor and shed endless tears at its heartbreaking climax. Clocking in at 3 hours and 7 minutes, many reviewers are citing the film as dragged out, tedious and ultimately boring. Frankly, I felt that the pacing was proper and quite accelerated. Not once did I ever look at my watch or did I yawn or fidget. The events in the film all serve as a buildup to the final act, but there is enough adventure and a few small sub-plots that will keep the viewer occupied. Now considered a seasoned veteran of the cinematic epic, Peter Jackson is a director that knows how to captivate your attention and hold it for an expanded period of time.
While Kong is the true star of the film, the cast put on performances of a stellar capacity. Naomi Watts was picture perfect in the role of Ann Darrow, bringing out a confidence and charismatic essence not seen in even Fay Wray’s performance! Adrien Brody once again shows us that his acting chops are well polished. He comes off daring and brave but at the same time, naïve and cautious, a perfect mix for a realistic hero. Jack Black provides a milder version of his tongue-in-cheek humor, but his portrayal of Carl Denham is one that will find the viewer feeling a mix of emotions. At first, you feel for his struggles and you cheer as he dastardly cheats his way past the Hollywood moguls. However, at the conclusion, you despise him for ruthless ways of gaining fame. Colin Hanks, Kyle Chandler and the rest of the supporting cast (including Jamie Bell of Billy Elliot fame) all put on acceptable performances.
The visual and audio aspects of King Kong are what are expected of an epic, astounding and everlasting! With a little help from CGI, Andy Serkis is able to produce a Kong who has a range of emotions unlike the 1933 and 1976 predecessors. There are times when you will find him completely frightening, while there will be tender moments where you just want to reach out and hug the big hairy lug. On top of that, get ready for a gang of dinosaurs that make the prehistoric beasts from Jurassic Park look like something from The Land Before Time! All of these spectacular images are complimented with a score (written by James Newton Howard) that captures the essence and feeling of each scene, whether it is tender or exhilarating!
King Kong is not only a high-paced adventure film; it also serves as a statement. This heartrending tale once again expresses two of mankind’s deepest flaws, its habit to involve itself with things that are better off untouched and its tendency to destroy anything that is different. While it may not exactly sweep the Oscars this year, King Kong fulfills the true purpose of a movie of its kind, to entertain and influence your emotions. With that, I ask you to look past the lengthy film time and indulge in a true cinematic treat!
"King Kong" opens December 14, 2005 and is rated PG13. Adventure. Directed by Peter Jackson. Written by Fran Walsh & Phillipa Boyens. Starring Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks, Jack Black, Naomi Watts, Thomas Kretschman, Andy Serkis.
