Vanity - My Day 1 review of King Kong

King Kong Movie web site (for reference) ^ | 12/14/05 | self

[Phsstpok]

There's plenty more to praise, but I wanted to get this down and share it. I really want to encourage everyone to go and see this in the theaters. It's truly an astounding experience.

Oh, and one inside joke. See if you can figure out what the hidden reference (not really that hidden) when Jack Black is running down the list of possible actresses to replace his lead in the taxi early in the movie. Film buffs should be able to get it right away. It's Jackson's personal tip of the hat to his hero.

[linda_22003]

I've heard nothing but praise for this film, and am looking forward to seeing it. I've also heard it's full of "in-jokes" that refer to the original film, and since I know that one frame-by-frame, it should be very entertaining. :)

[SoDak]

I'll have to go see this. I have, after all, been referred to at times as a big ape.

[Brett66]

They made Kong a really sympathetic character in this when he laughed at Ann doing tricks to amuse him. Very well done.

[Revelation 911]

saw it this afternoon - absolutely the best of the three renditions - very very well done and prbably one of the best films Ive seen since LOTR

[eleni121]

"... liken it in my own mind to a Navajo rug. Within the pattern they always leave an imperfection so that the spirit of the work is not trapped in the rug and can get out"

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Well done!

Looking forward and excellent review.

[Phsstpok]

They made Kong a really sympathetic character

Through many fascinating bits of business Jackson made Kong an equal character to the human actors in the film without ever stooping to anthropomorphic chicanery. I saw him as a fully developed character without ever thinking that he was anything other than the huge animal that he was.

Amazing accomplishment.

[Phsstpok]

Jackson is incredible. Given what I'm hearing about Munich and what I suffered through with the last three Star Wars films it is clear that he is head and shoulders above Spielberg or Lucas.

[A CA Guy]

I saw the movie earlier and it was among the best made movies I have seen, but so sad that I would not recommend seeing it until after Christmas is over.

It is a downer, and though I like Jack Black, the part should have been cast IMO with a different actor. He gave the movie it's only B movie performance IMO.

[A CA Guy]

How soon you forget other great Kong movies.

[Revelation 911]

.....a classic but on such a lower level LOL

[Revelation 911]

Im not a big LOTR either - my daughter knows all the characters - but Im just looking at the entertainment value - and the story - Jackson is hands down the greatest talent we have

my only two complaints were - the shot with the girl in the apes clutches, being carried down the street, the matting of her was a bit jerky. Then again at the top of the building, the camera circled her at the pinnacle, and her motionless feet appeared to slide slightly. There was also a scene in which someone (I think Jack) exits a cab with a smooth 1932 license plate. NY 1932 plates were embossed (I own a 32 ford w/plate)

I would pay handsomely to see this one in Imax or 3D

[.30Carbine]

Thanks for this review. I wonder if Jackson will release the DVD in two versions, an earlier, film version, and a later, extended copy?

[JeffAtlanta]

Given what I'm hearing about Munich and what I suffered through with the last three Star Wars films it is clear that he is head and shoulders above Spielberg or Lucas.

I thought the exact same thing after the movie. Peter Jackson is the only director that I would trust to bring a blockbuster to the screen.

Spielberg is more of an activist now than a director. Lucas is basically a talented guy in many areas that doesn't realize that he is a terrible script writer. He is also a very different man than he was 30 years ago.

Other directors working today are very hit or miss.

[Cyclopean Squid]

Did you catch which scene PJ makes his cameo in? I can never seem to notice until someone points it out to me. I didn't even know he had cameos in LOTR until I watched the DVDs with the commentary and he told the audience when to look for them!

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I loved the movie, and I am not the King Kong movie type. It was great!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I liked Godzilla vs. Mecha Godzilla. The Godzilla in those days were the best.

[A CA Guy]

I was not impressed with the resolution given in the theater. This was a high quality theater, but it made no difference. While watching it, I realized I would be able to see a much better and clearer picture with my HD technology stuff at home.
This LST-3510a by LG that I have takes the 480P DVD and up-scales it very well to 720P and the quality I get at home with my HD projector on the 15 foot wide picture would be far clearer.
I guess that is why I don't go to the theaters much anymore.
I keep thinking I need to see and hear them in the big theater if they are big blockbusters, but the technology is superior at home.
Maybe people like me are why movies don't get as much box office these days?

[MozarkDawg]

Did you catch which scene PJ makes his cameo in? I can never seem to notice until someone points it out to me. I didn't even know he had cameos in LOTR until I watched the DVDs with the commentary and he told the audience when to look for them!

Just like Hitchcock!!

[Cyclopean Squid]

PJ starred in his first movie (Bad Taste, a cult classic) and has made a point to be in them all ever since. He made Bad Taste with his friends on weekends, and did everything, including special effects, himself. It's quite an accomplishment, and a great flick if you like campy movies.