Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody
Directed by: Peter Jackson
**** Stars
“It was beauty killed the beast…”
Peter Jackson's King Kong is one of the great movie-going experiences of my life. It's more than just perfect; it's a visual and cinematic treasure that will live on for generations. Kong is back, and boy is he back all right.
Peter Jackson reminds us that he is a genius. He gives us more spectacles and thrills in three hours then most movies do in a lifetime. But Jackson never loses focus on character and story development. He is the heir to the throne of Steven Spielberg, in being the next great film director of time.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of my favorite films of all time. So, when entering King Kong, I expected the world from Jackson, and he delivered the galaxy.
Jackson starts off with a view of New York City during the Great Depression. It then tells the story of the lying, cheating, and stealing Carl Denham, (the surprisingly creepy Jack Black) a washed-out film director with nothing left to do but to break the rules in hope of a shot at the big time. Fortunately, for him, he discovers a map. This map is the key in shooting his next picture. It is known as Skull Island, where the fate of him and dozens of others will be revealed.
Carl finds Ann Darrow (an Oscar-caliber performance from Naomi Watts), a struggling actress who is looking for stardom. She agrees on the picture but is tricked by Carl saying that the picture will be shot in China. Many of the crew members are unaware of this, as well as playwright/screenwriter Jack Driscoll, who is unwillingly taken on board because he was unable to get off the ship before it set sail.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
**** Stars
“It was beauty killed the beast…”
Peter Jackson's King Kong is one of the great movie-going experiences of my life. It's more than just perfect; it's a visual and cinematic treasure that will live on for generations. Kong is back, and boy is he back all right.
Peter Jackson reminds us that he is a genius. He gives us more spectacles and thrills in three hours then most movies do in a lifetime. But Jackson never loses focus on character and story development. He is the heir to the throne of Steven Spielberg, in being the next great film director of time.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of my favorite films of all time. So, when entering King Kong, I expected the world from Jackson, and he delivered the galaxy.
Jackson starts off with a view of New York City during the Great Depression. It then tells the story of the lying, cheating, and stealing Carl Denham, (the surprisingly creepy Jack Black) a washed-out film director with nothing left to do but to break the rules in hope of a shot at the big time. Fortunately, for him, he discovers a map. This map is the key in shooting his next picture. It is known as Skull Island, where the fate of him and dozens of others will be revealed.
Carl finds Ann Darrow (an Oscar-caliber performance from Naomi Watts), a struggling actress who is looking for stardom. She agrees on the picture but is tricked by Carl saying that the picture will be shot in China. Many of the crew members are unaware of this, as well as playwright/screenwriter Jack Driscoll, who is unwillingly taken on board because he was unable to get off the ship before it set sail.
Kong and Skull Island is not revealed until an hour into the picture. Jackson wants Kong’s presence and first look to be shocking and powerful. And is it ever.
When Skull Island is reached, things start to unfold. Jackson has created the scariest place on earth, with zombies, monsters, dinosaurs, and of course, Kong himself. Its as if hell has been sprouted onto earth.
After meeting natives on the island, Ann is soon captured by them and will soon be sacrificed to Kong. But when Kong sees Ann, he sees beauty; beauty he has never seen before. Ann, scared out of her mind, starts to dance for him to calm him down. We see Kong smile. From this moment, Ann and Kong begin to develop a mysterious and confusing attraction, in which neither one of them understands. Jackson does not use dialogue. He uses emotion. Staring into one another’s eyes, Ann and Kong realize that they are restricted from one another because the world cannot socially accept this.
When Carl’s camera is destroyed, he thinks his career is over. Suddenly, he believes he can take Kong back to New York City, where the world can give him the praise and honor he thinks he so humbly deserves. Carl tricks Ann and Jack (who is in love with Ann) to bring Kong back to the city, where the climax unfolds.
Jackson stays true to the 1933 original and its story. The 2005 King Kong is not just an action-adventure. I mean, of course, it is an action adventure. It is probably the greatest action ever put on screen. But, it is also a touching story of love between Ann Darrow and Kong. There love is forbidden and Jackson creates a powerful experience. I can admit: I laughed-I cried.
King Kong is the best movie of the year and it proves to us that Peter Jackson is one of the great directors working today. Beauty has killed the beast. I am that beast.
When Skull Island is reached, things start to unfold. Jackson has created the scariest place on earth, with zombies, monsters, dinosaurs, and of course, Kong himself. Its as if hell has been sprouted onto earth.
After meeting natives on the island, Ann is soon captured by them and will soon be sacrificed to Kong. But when Kong sees Ann, he sees beauty; beauty he has never seen before. Ann, scared out of her mind, starts to dance for him to calm him down. We see Kong smile. From this moment, Ann and Kong begin to develop a mysterious and confusing attraction, in which neither one of them understands. Jackson does not use dialogue. He uses emotion. Staring into one another’s eyes, Ann and Kong realize that they are restricted from one another because the world cannot socially accept this.
When Carl’s camera is destroyed, he thinks his career is over. Suddenly, he believes he can take Kong back to New York City, where the world can give him the praise and honor he thinks he so humbly deserves. Carl tricks Ann and Jack (who is in love with Ann) to bring Kong back to the city, where the climax unfolds.
Jackson stays true to the 1933 original and its story. The 2005 King Kong is not just an action-adventure. I mean, of course, it is an action adventure. It is probably the greatest action ever put on screen. But, it is also a touching story of love between Ann Darrow and Kong. There love is forbidden and Jackson creates a powerful experience. I can admit: I laughed-I cried.
King Kong is the best movie of the year and it proves to us that Peter Jackson is one of the great directors working today. Beauty has killed the beast. I am that beast.
