I had total confidence that Peter Jackson would nail this film and I was right all the way. How he was able to create a film that both honors the original and builds upon it is staggering.
The first thing that I’d like to address is the over-exaggerated complaint that the film is too long. No one complained about length with LORD OF THE RINGS. Millions of people have bought extended editions of those films. Critics have planted the seed that the film is too long and audiences are either staying away because of it or are going in antsy to start off with. Jackson earned some filmmaking capital with the RINGS series and what we get with KONG is the extended edition right away. With FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS, Jackson had to cut a lot of the character moments, which hurt the film. The extended edition of that film turned the film from a three-and-a-half star film to a solid four-star affair. We get the whole deal with KONG on the big screen, which is where this film was meant to be seen.
When it comes to time problems, the only minor problem is that a bit too much time is spent with some supporting characters with a less than satisfying closure to their arch. Nonetheless, the film is a true spectacle and the best popcorn film of the year.
The story relatively follows the lines of the original, however this version irons out the characters. Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts, MULHOLLAND DRIVE) is a struggling actress during the Depression, who has been let down by all the people in her life. Carl Denham (Jack Back, HIGH FIDELITY) is a B-movie adventure filmmaker who is about to lose the funding for his latest film. So along with his assistant Preston (Colin Hanks, ORANGE COUNTY) he hijacks the film equipment and sets out to find a new leading lady. He runs upon Ann and convinces her to travel to “Singapore” with him to star in his new picture, which is being written by his friend, the playwright Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody, THE VILLAGE), who Ann admires greatly.
Englehorn (Thomas Kretschmann, THE PIANIST) is the captain of the steamer they are traveling on and Hayes (Evan Parke, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) is his first mate. Mr. Hayes is very protective of the new kid on the ship Jimmy (Jamie Bell, BILLY ELLIOT). Playing opposite Ann is the traditionally handsome hero Bruce Baxter (Kyle Chandler, MULHOLLAND FALLS), who is nothing like a hero in real life.
The film takes its time establishing its characters and the threat they are about to encounter. Jackson really weaves an epic yarn with the haunting myth of Skull Island. Once the characters arrive on the island the action kicks in and doesn’t stop. By keeping Kong a secret for so long, the anticipation for his first appearance puts you on the edge of your seat.
In a film like this you don’t expect exceptional acting, but two performances stick out. Since MULHOLLAND DRIVE showcased her amazing talents, Watts has nailed every role she has been in. To create the emotion she does, acting against a greenscreen and a creature that only lives in the computer, is simply amazing. She deserves Oscar consideration. The second performance is a little less conventional. Andy Serkis (who also plays Lumpy the cook in the film) provided the performance for which Kong was based on. He brings amazing emotion to the character. The film works because Serkis instantly makes us identify with Kong.
Compared to the 1933 original, the main difference between the two films is that Kong and Ann have mutual affection for each other. This makes the film a little less tragic because in the original the creature’s love was unrequited. Yet we are more emotionally engaged in Kong and Ann’s story. Jackson makes us care far more for the humans in his film. He also paints Denham more as a showman/villain than the original does. These changes just make the story different, which is good. This is Jackson’s take on the story as different directors make a play their own.
The look of the film is gorgeous. The digital environments are amazing from the lush jungles of Skull Island to the romanticized version of Depression-era New York City. Some of the visual effects don’t mesh 100%, but Kong works 100% of the time. The feat is amazing as is the entire film. Don’t miss this one.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
