Peter Jackson's King Kong - Anderton Prime's Review

[Anderton Prime]

My God, I had no idea.

Once in a lifetime, a movie is made that simultaneously restores the naysayers' faith in Hollywood, quiets entire audiences of men, women, children, seniors, punk teenager and lovers alike, and makes true film fans rejoice. This is that movie.

Forget the original. THIS is the definitive Kong. THIS is how it was meant to be shown.

I don't know where to begin. I don't even think any kind of review could prepare you for what you will see. Quite simply put, this movie is flawless. It is a polished masterpiece in three seperate but equally magnificent acts. It is one of the top 10 greatest movies ever made, period. Somehow Peter Jackson has made the Lord of the Rings Trilogy look like a made-for-television miniseries.

Naomi Watts is perfectly cast, as is Jack Black. But the real star of this movie is Kong, and nowhere have I seen better CG in any movie, ever. He is better animated than Gollum, the T-Rex from Jurassic Park, or anything to be found in any movie. The ape is more human than the actors who surround him.

The cinematography is unrivalled. The shots of New York are breathtaking. The fight between Kong and three T-Rexes will have you on the edge of your seat, literally. THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT. Think about the last time you were on the edge of your seat during a movie. And the climax atop the Empire State Building is indescribable. Perhaps Watts' Ann Darrow says it best; in a word, "Beautiful."

 

[Zardoz]

I've never seen reviews like this movie has been getting. A few quibble about the length, but some have gone so far as to say it could end up actually doing more box office than "Titanic".

We knew it would be great, though. We're not surprised:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71163

 

[daan]

Locking as it's a repost.

EDIT: Re-opened as it's a review of the movie

 

[livemusic]

Sounds great. The movie is premiering (sp?) here in Brazil today, I might go watch it.

 

[Touring Mars]

Interesting review... I must admit, it didn't appeal to me much, but I've heard good things about it, and now after reading this review, I might just have to go and see it 👍

 

[Dave A]

I'm going to see it tomorrow, I'll post my opinions then. I does look and sound very good though. The question is, will it be better than Charlie and Chocolate factory as far as remakes go.

 

[Anderton Prime]

I'm going to see it tomorrow, I'll post my opinions then. I does look and sound very good though. The question is, will it be better than Charlie and Chocolate factory as far as remakes go.

By far the best remake ever, as it absolutely unequivocally surpasses the original in all aspects. I know that's borderline blasphemy to some die-hard fans of the very first King Kong, but I just can't see how anyone who likes movies even a little bit could do anything but be amazed at this film. It will make you laugh, cry, scream out in protest, flinch, get your skin crawling, melt your heart, and I guarantee as the credits roll you won't be able to move, and all you'll be able to think is, "Wow, now that was a movie."

 

[Omnis]

I'm going to see it tomorrow, I'll post my opinions then. I does look and sound very good though. The question is, will it be better than Charlie and Chocolate factory as far as remakes go.

The Gene Wilder movie is hardly the same, even when compared to the book.

Anyway, I can't wait to see this film. I'm really happy for Jack Black, whom I think deserves this success.

 

[TwinTurboJay]

The Gene Wilder movie is hardly the same, even when compared to the book.

Anyway, I can't wait to see this film. I'm really happy for Jack Black, whom I think deserves this success.

I agree, Jack Black is a great talent, made me laugh my ass off in lots of movies and am looking forward to seeing him in a more serious role.

 

[Dave A]

By far the best remake ever, as it absolutely unequivocally surpasses the original in all aspects. I know that's borderline blasphemy to some die-hard fans of the very first King Kong, but I just can't see how anyone who likes movies even a little bit could do anything but be amazed at this film. It will make you laugh, cry, scream out in protest, flinch, get your skin crawling, melt your heart, and I guarantee as the credits roll you won't be able to move, and all you'll be able to think is, "Wow, now that was a movie."

Now thats what I want when I go and spend £6 to see a film and £4 for a tub of popcorn 👍. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

And yeah, I tihnk Jack Black has got a lot of talent, it's great to see him in a film as big as this. He's got a couple of films coming that look like they could be worth a watch.

 

[Omnis]

Black went to Juliard. He can do anything.

 

[Zardoz]

...surpasses the original in all aspects. I know that's borderline blasphemy to some die-hard fans of the very first King Kong...

A lot of people (like me, for instance) revere the original 1933 movie as some sort of sacred icon. Many object to the very idea of re-making it, and I've seen lots of comments that express bitterness over the lengths to which Jackson went on his epic.

Their attitude seems to be that it's not fair that Jackson used modern technology and tons of money to make their precious original look bad! Even though the new film is basically an homage to the original from start to finish, they don't care, and they're pissed that this one is such a masterpiece!

Go figure...

 

[Dave A]

I could understand the argument that in terms of movie greatness the original was better ie it had a bigger impact on the movie word and was better for it's time yadda, yadda. Without seeing this one I can't comment, but bitterness that the re-make is good isn't a likable quality, a die hard King Kong fan should be glad theres a new great King Kong movie out.

 

[DaveS1138]

Great review of a great film. I also loved it although I'm more critical than you.

Whilst the CGI of Kong was stunning some of the other work was poor considering the high standard WETA digital had set with the LOTR's films. The Brontisaurus stampede is a great example. The poor CGI pulled me out of the movie which is a real shame for such a great scene. And Ann 'Juggling' fake CGI rocks for Kong was laughably bad. Was it really so hard to teach her to juggle for real?????

Also it felt strange that so much time was spent building up members of the SS Venture's crew just to have them killed in simple ways. Lumpy was a great example of that. Although nice to see Andy Serkis getting some real screen time.

However those are very minor points in an otherwise excellent film. The scene with Ann and Kong in central park which many reviews say is silly I actually thought was one of the most touching moments in the film. For them to share a moment of simple joy with me knowing what was about to happen was beautifull and tragic at the same time.

As for the last 15 mins. To see such love and brutality at the same time. I was practically in tears for a film that I already knew the ending off. Now that's an acheivment.

Cant see this comming close to 'Titanic' type box office. Cant even see it taking second place from 'Star Wars' but I think it will make it comfortably to the very high 300 or maybe push 400 million mark in the US.

For us fans of the original the tribal dance during the New york show at the end is such a cool joke

 

[DaveS1138]

Actually just looked up the opening day box office and I'm very suprised to say its a suprisingly week 10 Million. Compare that to Revenge of the Sith which also opened on a wednesday and made 16 Million just from the midnight showing and 50 million on opening day.

Hopefully a lot more people are just waiting for the weekend.

 

[Zardoz]

Actually just looked up the opening day box office and I'm very suprised to say its a suprisingly week 10 Million. Compare that to Revenge of the Sith which also opened on a wednesday and made 16 Million just from the midnight showing and 50 million on opening day.

Hopefully a lot more people are just waiting for the weekend.

Shrek 2 and Titanic also started slow, and you know how they did. Word of mouth should keep Kong in the theaters until well into next spring, so we'll see where it ends up.

 

[DaveS1138]

true. we cant say anything until the opening weekend figures are in atleast. Also it has been bitterly cold in much of the US keeping people nice and warm at home.

I just find it a little odd that everybody I have spoken too said this was the must see picture of the end of the year (not that its had much competition accept the boy wizard) so I was expecting a much bigger opening day.

 

[Dave A]

All the lads and ladettes over at my end can't wait to see it, were all going tomorrow.

 

[Omnis]

All wednesday releases are slow. It's just a headstart towards the weekend's box office earnings.

 

[Zardoz]

The first day total is not important, and not indicative of how it will do:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1410887

"Hollywood lore is filled with similar tales including that of "Titanic," which in its December 1997 debut ran virtually neck-and-neck with James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" before eventually steaming ahead to become the top grossing movie of all time with $1.8 billion in global ticket sales."

 

[DaveS1138]

Actually lots of blockbusters open on Wednesdays to major box office numbers

Revenge of the Sith 50 Million opening day
Spiderman 2 41 million opening day
return of the king 35 million
phantom menace 28 million
passion of the christ 27 million
the two towers 26 million
matrix revolutions 24 million
war of the worlds 21 million

all wednesday openings
Kong comes in as only the 28th biggest wednesday opening in the US

And its not just winter keeping people away. The two towers and return of the king both opened in December and both had MUCH bigger openings.

Kongs opening was only 1/2 million better than 'Legally blonde 2'.... ughhhh

I think it will do great box office. I'm just suprised its getting off to such a slow start.

 

[DaveS1138]

The first day total is not important, and not indicative of how it will do:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1410887

"Hollywood lore is filled with similar tales including that of "Titanic," which in its December 1997 debut ran virtually neck-and-neck with James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" before eventually steaming ahead to become the top grossing movie of all time with $1.8 billion in global ticket sales."

True but 'Titanic' had been getting bad press for months before its release due to a spiraling budget and tales of disputes on set, people were writing it off as a major bomb. It took a while for good word of mouth and good reviews from people seeing the film to turn that around.

Kong on the other hand has had nothing but possitive press and a major marketing campaign. Its certainly true that kids still being in school is probably having a bad effect.

Like I said before the weekend box office will show much more than opening day.

 

[Anderton Prime]

Actually lots of blockbusters open on Wednesdays to major box office numbers

Revenge of the Sith 50 Million opening day
Spiderman 2 41 million opening day
return of the king 35 million
phantom menace 28 million
passion of the christ 27 million
the two towers 26 million
matrix revolutions 24 million
war of the worlds 21 million

all wednesday openings
Kong comes in as only the 28th biggest wednesday opening in the US

And its not just winter keeping people away. The two towers and return of the king both opened in December and both had MUCH bigger openings.

Kongs opening was only 1/2 million better than 'Legally blonde 2'.... ughhhh

I think it will do great box office. I'm just suprised its getting off to such a slow start.

Revenge of the Sith and Spider-Man 2 were both summer blockbuster releases. And The Two Towers and Return of the King were both sequels to the much lower opening-day tally Fellowship of the Ring, and as such enjoyed success largely from anticipation.

And I fail to see what box office gross has to do with the quality of a movie.

 

[Zardoz]

...And I fail to see what box office gross has to do with the quality of a movie.

Nothing whatsoever, of course. Nonetheless, we want to see it do very well.

 

[Joey D]

I plan on going to see this, I was skeptical, but after the reviews I think I might check it out. Although I've never seen the original, which one of these days I will check out.

 

[DaveS1138]

Revenge of the Sith and Spider-Man 2 were both summer blockbuster releases. And The Two Towers and Return of the King were both sequels to the much lower opening-day tally Fellowship of the Ring, and as such enjoyed success largely from anticipation.

And I fail to see what box office gross has to do with the quality of a movie.

Absolutely nothing..... As I said I'm just suprised that its getting off to such a slow start for a movie that got such great press, has had a major advertising push and is off such amazing quality.

Films this good really should set the box office ablaze.

And I only mention it because as was mentioned at the start of the post that this has been touted as a 'Titanic' beater. The press were talking of a 150 Million opening weekend.

 

[Blackbird.]

It's 3hrs and 17minutes long!?

 

[FoolKiller]

My guess at a slow opening is there are plenty of people like my wife who think that King Kong is just about a giant ape rampaging through New York City. They think it is just another mindless popcorn disaster flick to zone out in front of.

There is nothing wrong with that, by the way.

They don't want to go out on a Wednesday and watch another geeky high-tech special effects film, especially one with a giant ape.

I am putting off going long enough for one of my wife's friends to get drug out by her husband and/or kids and then come back and tell her about how she cried and how wonderful the movie was. Then when my wife says she will go see it I take her out, suddenly my ticket turned into two.

I imagine this situation will happen all over, or guys will go see it and then go again with their girlfriends/wives.

Whatever the pattern is, I see ticket sales making a jump no later than the week after Christmas.

Maybe some guys will call them out on how she drug him to the Ya Ya Sisterhood or whatever equally bad movie they made them see.

It's 3hrs and 17minutes long!?

What is wrong with that? More movie for your money.

 

[Blackbird.]

I've heard like 2hrs of nothing then 1hr of Kong.

 

[DaveS1138]

I've heard like 2hrs of nothing then 1hr of Kong.

Absolutely not

1 hour build up in New York and on the S.S. Venture
1 hour Kong ruling Skull Island
1 hour Kong's capture and rampage in New York

3 hours of master storytelling. A good 2hrs of Kong time alone

Not to mention. 'Titanic' was over 3 hours and brilliant. 'Return of the King' was over 3 hours and brilliant, and for the lesser heard of films, 'Brazil' was over 3 hours and absolutely utterly brilliant.

3 hours is a very good length for a film so long as it flows. This one certainly does.