Movie Review #39: King Kong (2005)

 I re-watched this movie on a three hour drive to Chicago on Saturday and I decided that I had to review it.

King Kong is actually the second remake of the 19313 original. The first remake starred Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange, this one stars Adrien Brody and Naomi Watts.

I love this movie. It has everything I wanted in it when I watched it for the first time. That being said, I do have a few issues with it.

My biggest complaint with this movie is that it is long! This is not a casual watch. If you are going to watch this movie, it is a three hour long investment that will wear you out.

The ending was also really drawn out. If they shaved off at least ten minutes from the run-time, it would have been better. I really don't like downgrading movies due to their run-time because I feel like a hypocrite saying that because I can watch all three of the Lord of the Rings  Extended Editions and be left wanting more. See what I mean?

With those few personal gripes aside, this movie is marvelous. This is a remake that surpassed both the first remake and the original in film-making creativity and visual ingenuity. The visuals are incredible to say the least. There is one scene when the crew is in a dark pit and they are surrounded by bugs the size of pigs. That scene grosses me out ever time I watch it because one guy gets eaten alive by these creatures that look like 12 foot tall sea cucumbers. That scene was bananas! I also find bugs and insects pretty creepy.

The performances were solid all around. Most of the time with monster movies, they focus on the visual aspect over the acting. I've never seen Jack Black in a serious role like this. I only know Jack Black from roles like The School of Rock and Kung Fu Panda, so it was refreshing to see him in a role like this. Adrien Brody and Naomi Watts are good actors so they unsurprisingly gave great performances. In the scenes that take place in New York City, they captured the look and feel of NYC during the 1920's, so I liked that.

Final Report: With state-of-the-art visual effects, very strong performances and insane action, King Kong is a beast of a movie if there ever was one.