King Kong

Director: Peter Jackson
Release Date: December 14 2005

 

Cast:
Ann Darrow: Naomi Watts
Carl Denham: Jack Black
Jack Driscoll: Adrien Brody
Captain Englehorn: Thomas Kretschmann
Preston: Colin Hanks
Kong / Lumpy: Andy Serkis
Hayes: Evan Parke
Jimmy: Jamie Bell

 

This remake of the 1930s classic is an epic adventure with thrilling special effects and a great cast. What makes this film great, though, is the story. A young actress who has just been fired and is looking for work (which was not an easy prospect in Depression-era 1930s New York) actually finds a job and sets sail for an overseas filming.
They run into bad weather and are stranded on an island that is filled with murderous natives and a big surprise. Hidden behind high walls is a massive gorilla, the 23ft tall Kong. Where others would see a good reason to run away the Broadway producer sees an opportunity to make some money. Kong is captured and brought back to New York to be displayed as the eighth wonder of the world.

The film is directed by Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) and he brings his special brand of spectacle to this film. The story is larger than life and he has filmed it in the grand Hollywood style befitting such a classic tale. This is Beauty and the Beast retold for modern times (well, at least for the 1930s). The tension builds to its violent climax and the use of special effects is essential to bringing the story to life. Jackson is good at selecting the appropriate effects and he doesn’t overdo it in this film.

At its release in 2005 this film was the most expensive ever made, it cost over 200 million dollars, it became the fifth largest grossing film ever for Universal studios. It was an international blockbuster during its original release and in subsequent sales. The story, it seems, has weathered well and is still gripping for modern audiences. In the end the film doesn’t disappoint either as a story or as a piece of film .

 

 

If you like this Movie, you'll also like:

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
3. War of the Worlds
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
5. Stephen King’s The Mist