King Kong (2 Disc Special Edition) [2005]

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Our Price: £6.58
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Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
Starring: Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Colin Hanks, Kyle Chandler
Directed By: Peter Jackson
Average Customer Rating:

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audience Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Binding: DVD
EAN: 5050582424560
Format: Anamorphic
Label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: Universal Pictures UK
Region Code: 2
Release Date: 2006-04-10
Running Time: 179
Studio: Universal Pictures UK
Theatrical Release Date: 2005

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Editorial Reviews: Movies don't come any bigger than Peter Jackson's King Kong, a three-hour remake of the 1933 classic that marries breathtaking visual prowess with a surprising emotional depth. Expanding on the original story of the blonde beauty and the beast who falls for her, Jackson creates a movie spectacle that matches his Lord of the Rings films and even at times evokes their fantasy world while celebrating the glory of '30s Hollywood. Naomi Watts stars as Ann Darrow, a vaudeville actress down on her luck in Depression-era New York until manic filmmaker Carl Denham (a game but miscast Jack Black) entices her with a lead role. Dazzled by the genius of screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), Ann boards the tramp steamer S.S. Venture, which she--and most of the wary crew--believes is headed for Singapore. Denham, however, is in search of the mythic Skull Island, hoping to capture its wonders on film and make a fortune. What he didn't count on were some scary natives who find that the comely Darrow looks like prime sacrifice material for a mysterious giant creature....

There's no point in rehashing the entire plot, as every movie aficionado is more than familiar with the trajectory of King Kong; the challenge facing Jackson, his screenwriters, and the phenomenal visual-effects team was to breathe new life into an old, familiar story. To that degree, they achieve what could be best called a qualified success. Though they've assembled a crackerjack supporting cast, including Thomas Kretschmann as the Venture's hard-bitten captain and young Jamie Bell as a plucky crewman, the first third of the movie is rather labored, with too much minute detail given over to sumptuous re-creations of '30s New York and the unexciting initial leg of the Venture's sea voyage. However, once the film finds its way to Skull Island (which bears more than a passing resemblance to LOTR's Mordor), Kong turns into a dazzling movie triumph, by turns terrifying and awe-inspiring. The choreography and execution of the action set pieces--including one involving Kong and a trio of Tyrannosaurus Rexes, as well as another that could be charitably described as a bug-phobic's nightmare--is nothing short of landmark filmmaking, and a certain Mr. Spielberg should watch his back, as Kong trumps most anything that has come before it.

Despite the visual challenges of King Kong, the movie's most difficult hurdle is the budding romance between Ann and her simian soulmate. Happily, this is where Jackson unqualifiedly triumphs, as this unorthodox love story is tenderly and humorously drawn, by turns sympathetic and wondrous. Watts, whose accessibility balances out her almost otherworldly loveliness, works wonders with mere glances, and Andy Serkis, who digitally embodies Kong here much as he did Gollum in the LOTR films, breathes vibrant life into the giant star of the film without ever overplaying any emotions. The final, tragic act of the film, set mostly atop the Empire State Building, is where Kong earns its place in movie history as a work that celebrates both the technical and emotional heights that film can reach. --Mark Englehart, Amazon.com

Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:

Summary: OUSTANDING!
Comment: I do not understand why some people have given this up-dated King-Kong movie a bad review. It is just pure shallowness to ditch such a magnificent film.
Equally, some people have complained about the length of the film. Why? This film was directed by Peter Jackson who directed Lord of the Rings trilogy, all of which were also quite long! Therefore they should surely have known what to expect. Also, finding out how long the film was going to be before they watched it might have helped them realise that, yes, this is a long film! My advice is; if you don't like overlong films, then don't watch them.

Although the original 1933 King-Kong was a classic, it did suffer from wooden acting syndrome of its day, and Fay Wray screaming her head off in terror through the whole film isn't exactly an Oscar winning performance. Anyone can do that. In addition she didn't seem to realise that after a while Kong wasn't going to harm her. It's surprising that Kong didn't dump her half-way through, complaining of a headache. I know it grated on my nerves.

I think this version is the best and has more substance to it. The film is emotionally powerful and dramatic, very much like some of the best work from Steven Spielberg. Peter Jackson, in my opinion, didn't do a bad job at all. It is a worthy follow on from the Lord of the Rings.

The fact that the action didn't start until an hour into the film only intrigued me more. The first hour was rather like an historical romantic drama, of which I'm a fan. It shows an extraordinary and refreshing start to a fantasy film and a good build up for the rest of the movie. I think it needed this set up to get into the characters as well as the close prospective romance being set up between the character Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody). It was obviously love at first sight for Jack and it seemed that way for Ann also, although she believes `nothing ever lasts`, which shows a vulnerability. So the love between them wasn't completely sealed before she was kidnapped, thrown to the mercy of the Skull-Island natives, then offered as a sacrifice to King Kong. This was brilliantly done and necessary to sever the relationship in order to form the bond between her and Kong.

Once she'd gotten over her screaming terror of being eaten and trying to escape she discovered that he was fascinated by her and wanted to keep and protect her. The following scenes between Ann and Kong were very heart-touching and a bond formed. Jackson not only managed to captivate a communication and understanding of each other, needing no words, but also, some interactions between male and females.

Brody pursues her no matter what, because of his love for her. He also has a strong desire to protect her. This is a wonderful display of unconditional love, on the beast's part as well as his, as Anne gradually begins to trust both beast and man.

The film throws us into a whirlwind of one emotion to another; tragedy, loss, rage, seriousness, sentiment, sensitivity and comedy.
I think the CGI was fantastic throughout the film and the natives of Skull Island were very convincing. I loved the hilarious Jurassic Part spoof, and the snapping dinosaurs in the swinging vines trying and failing to get at Anne and Kong reminded me of a Super Mario game; I laughed till I cried!

But there was also some disturbing instances too; like the relentless attacks from the insects, eating (swallowing) a man alive. The second time I watched the film; I couldn't watch this part and had to turn away. I think it was probably the only unnecessary bit to the film.

The only flaws are how Anne managed to escape without having any bones broken after being thrown about by Kong when he was running through the jungle, and also the gap between the transportation of Kong from the Island to New York. (How it was done?) But this is trivial compared to splendour of the rest of the movie, so I've decided let that go.

For the pitiful who slammed this film--shame on them for being so unimaginative, ignorant and insensate, concerning themselves with trivial practicalities. This outstanding movie is strictly for the emotionally intelligent. I rest my case!.

Customer Rating:

Summary: very good but long
Comment: Peter Jackson has done an absolutely brilliant job, and this film is certainly worth seeing. But it just felt dragged out in places and I'm not sure it's the sort of film I'd want to see loads of times.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Not the 8th wonder, but will leave you wondering WHY!!!?
Comment: Over dramatic, Heavy handed, Shall I go on?, yes!, Less is more is certainly a phrase alien to Peter Jackson, King Kong is the movie equivalent to being smashed over the head with a sledge hammer, the viewer is an idiot so can't understand simple things like were all going for a jaunty cruise to Skull Island, best make every rock and pebble look like a Skull, Yeah Ok I'm getting it now, Skull Island!!!. Throw in a charmless script seemingly written by an 8 year old. Half the time you could just tell what the next line was going to be, Destroy the viewers suspension of disbelief by conjuring some of the most ridiculous action scene's ever, shot from a special angle designed to get rid of all sense of scale and were getting a pretty bad film.
Not everything is awful, the final scenes in New York are competent and well visualized but generally with flat acting, an average humorless over dramatic script and a bombardment of the most over the top CGI and youve got something that although might be an interesting night out at the cinema is something that doesn't stand any kind of scrutiny. If you like action and monsters you'll get something from this, If your wanting something a little more from youre films avoid this self indulgent mess, were as the original King Kong still stands as an unforgettable Movie this will be consigned to the bargain bucket of history.

Customer Rating:

Summary: King Kong - Far too long!
Comment: As a great admirer of Jackson's Lord of the Rings, I came to this with high expectation. In the end I wish Jackson had just done a straight remake of the original. The Fay Wray King Kong was perfectly directed - just the right length to sustain the material. Jackson obviously loves the piece but kills it with kindness. The special effects are superb, but there are too many times when he asks us to not only suspend disbelief but take our brains out. I mean, Naomi, having been hurled around by dinasaurs and the ape, can then take to her heels and run like a gazelle. Is this Superwoman? In the end Jackson over-eggs the pudding and the whole thing is a sodden mess.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Couple of flaws but still exciting and interesting
Comment: Naomi Watts (21 grams) stars as Ann Darrow, a poor actress who is invited by film producer Carl Denham on a trip to star in a film, only for Carl to take Ann and other actors and writes to an unknown island which inhabits a giant ape.

After a muddled opening and some poor dialogue, King Kong opens into a glorious adventure of discovery and amazement in Peter Jackson's epic adventure.

The opening half an hour is fairly dull and over the place but hang on for a great entertaining boat journey which sets the film on the way to an unforgettable adventure.

Watts, Brody (The Pianist) and Black (School of Rock) give good performances in their roles and though the characters and dialogue can be dull and predictable at times, each has their own particular great characteristics and moments.

But the star of the film is Skull Island, a home of the unknown and of great potential adventure, a true catalyst for the mystic and magical.

Filled with savages, dinosaurs and huge insects, the island packs has it all with entertaining sequences involving humans vs animals in some stunning CGI sequences. As good as the ideology is, new animals come one after another with no real let up and can seem to be too crammed in for visual product rather than plot focused. The ideology of animal cruelty is encoded for dramatic effect and is astonishing to watch, particularly towards the end.

Kong is a truly memorable character, filled with human emotions making him more human than some of the boat crew. The facial expressions and movements bring the CGI character to life, and the ending will have you reaching for the tissues.

The film portrays adventure and drama well, but takes the wrong route by trying to lighten the mood with comedy. The humour encoded never works and can take the edge off a sentimental tale, one of the biggest let downs in the 3 hour film.

The CGI plays a huge factor in the film. Oscar winning, but can frequently lack realism but there is no question mark over the achievement and end product. The digitally enhanced animals and particularly Kong are unbelievable. Jackson's direction helps achieve realistic effects and brings the plot to life with fast and focused shots.

Winner of 3 Oscars including best achievement in visual effects, King Kong is a memorable fantasy adventure with some brilliant direction, good visual effects and an intriguing plot.

7.5/10

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