“King Kong” delivers everything good about film throughout its 3 hour and 21-minute run time. Every genre comes across in the film ranging from romance to sci-fi to horror.
Struggling actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and filmmaker Carl Denham (Jack Black) meet while each are searching for a role to fulfill. After Denham deceitfully convinces Darrow to play a role in his film, they travel to an undiscovered island where they fight for their lives.
Although A-List actor Adrien Brody wasn’t the main character in this movie, he plays his role so well that you begin to think he was the main character.
One of the few faults with his character, Jack Driscoll, stems from the pacing of which events happened. When Driscoll and Darrow are introduced, you can sense a romance form between the two characters. It happens so quick, and it doesn’t work because it’s an excuse for Driscoll’s actions later in the film.
His determination to rescue Darrow is derivative from the forced romance. It’s a cheap justification for his action. At the very least it comes across this way because no one else that went on the voyage really wanted to save Darrow. I think if he just wanted to save her life, just because it’s a human life, then that would have been fine, but the rushed romance takes away from the film.
Another one of the faults from the film is the computer generated imagery. There were several times when the green screen came through for a brief second. It’s not extremely noticeable, and for the most part the CGI is very well done.
Due to the film releasing in 2005, obviously technology was not at its peak. However, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” came out only six months later and is highly regarded for its impressive CGI with the character of Davy Jones. Something to also consider is “King Kong” had $18M less for its budget.
There are several positives with the film. The plethora of a-list actors in the cast play their roles extremely well.
Naomi Watts’ conviction of having genuine emotions for the 25-foot-tall gorilla is well played. The dramatization of everything plays so well for her character too, especially at the end of the film when she walks down the street to Kong.
I think it works so well because Watts’ character is an actress, and it just goes well together. Denham’s fervor to make his film is easily conveyed and felt. He was willing to do anything to make his film.
Even though the movie is longer, it doesn’t really feel like it. I never checked to see how much time is left, and it’s due to how much action we see on screen and the pace of which things happen. Most of the film takes place with the characters on the island, and we’re able to see unfamiliar creatures.
By encountering these new beings, the audience is infatuated to learn how they operate and what they do. The creativity for this department was extraordinary.
The musical score assisted in the pacing. The music went along well with certain scenes. Overall, the dramatism of everything works very well for this movie in particular.
What’s most impressive about this film is how director and co-writer Peter Jackson was able to combine almost every genre of film into one film and make it work well. The sci-fi, drama, adventure, action and romance are easily depictable. There are some comedic moments, and fantasy is also incorporated with the extravagant creatures.
The film is a classic with too many remakes and entries to keep count of. But this film is a staple not only the “King Kong” franchise but in all of cinema.
Rate: 4.5/5
Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or at cahardy@eiu.edu.
