King Kong

Is it over the top? Yes. Is it too long? Yes, what Peter Jackson movie hasn't been? Is it original? No, not particularly. Is it fun? Yes, more fun than people probably realized going to the movies could be, which is an achievement all its own.

Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks and Andy Serkis.
Written by: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsch, Phillipa Boyens.
Story by: Merian C. Cooper and Edgar Wallace
Directed by: Peter Jackson.

It's hard to believe that after three prior versions that a fourth could be released with such little scrutiny. Considering Peter Jackon's decision to go way over budget (the final movie cost was estimated at $207 mil) in order to fulfill his desires to inject the movie with grandiose effects and use CGI extensively. While neither one of these things help the main storyline, and in some cases it actually hurts it, the overall effect of these elements is what makes the movie experience so much fun. Peter Jackson uses these scenes as an opportunity to engross even the most intellectual of film viewers into the movie, and then capitalizes on it by playing with our emotions. Scenes displaying the true side of King Kong and his near human qualities, particularly when he's interacting with Ann Darow (Naomi Watts), as well as the many jungle scenes that are so intense that you almost get fatigued from watching it. The cinematography by Andrew Lesnie is also very outstanding and contributes to one of the reasons why King Kong works so well, particularly in the very complex CGI-incorporated scenes. The problem with King Kong is that there is such a great build up, especially from the middle of the movie onwards, that the pace of the ending appears to come to a screeching halt. Trying to overbuild the sensation of drama as King Kong meets his demise, the final scenes do more harm than good to the overall movie. All in all however, the positives far outweigh the negatives. All the while the film almost makes you feel like a little kid that's been thrown into a world that, while familiar, is so fascinating that you can't help but want more. It's within that feeling, that Peter Jackson's directing propels this movie into being one of the true great Hollywood films. Brilliance isn't the intention, just the purest form of bliss through escapism, that's where the film succeeds.

Rating: 88
Rated PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images.