King Kong

—1. Overview (multimedia)
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters
—8. Production Notes
—9. Spiritual Connections
—10. Presentation Downloads

Ever since I was a small child one of my favorite movies was King Kong. I must be among the few that even liked the remakes because of the reminders of my childhood, sitting in front of the television on a Saturday afternoon watching the Saturday Movie Matinee. King Kong was a regular and the dreams of going to a deserted island and finding something like Kong was a dream that most young boys dreamed. I had a love and passion for that movie but I think I have recently found someone who had an even deeper love and passion for the story.

Peter Jackson not only assists in the writing of the story but directs what has to be one of the few contemporary epics in years. Jackson right off the heels of success with The Lord of the Rings Series has commented on his desire to make this movie for most of his movie making life. Even going so far as to state that his life long dream was to remake this movie. The 1930’s classic has been credited as being one of the movies that inspired Peter Jackson to make movies. He even owns much of the originals movie memorabilia including the small Kong mock up that was used as Kong fell off the top of the Empire State Building. The love for the original has to be one of the reasons that Jackson has made such an incredible movie. Only a lover of Kong would go to the details and length that Jackson has to insure that the movie respects the original. As any father is proud of their son who excelled beyond their wildest dreams, the makers of the original King Kong would have been proud of this remake. It is one of the very few and rare gems that excels above and beyond the original.

One of the things that the viewer and fan of Kong will appreciate is the tributes wound into the script. There is even one comment of respect given to Fay Wray in the opening scenes of the movie. Even as the movie concludes, past the tag line credits Jackson, the man who loved Kong so much gives credit to Fay Wray and the makers of the original movie. You have to pay attention to catch these tributes but they are there in plenty.

The story in King Kong roughly follows the plot of the original. Along for the ride is Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow. She is an out of luck actress during the Depression Error in New York. Times are tough and an actor must do what an actor must do to make a living and have food to eat. Darrow has ethics though; she works hard and has a morality about her that causes her to struggle with the decision of doing what most young female actors of the time had to do in order to make a living and put food on the table. She keeps her spirits up and believes in the best of people. It is one of her faults but she is a character that you find yourself believing in because ultimately, she believes in herself and finds the ability to believe in those around her.

Then there is Jack Black who plays the part of Carl Denham. This comic actor has played in various movie hits in recent years, including School of Rock. He is however, an actor that one would have originally thought would have nothing to do with a serious role like Carl Denham. That reluctance is soon done away with and what Jack Black has is a role of a lifetime, a role in fact that many say was created for him. Black plays this deceitful, yet, driven moviemaker with a passion. There are several roles where the actor plays the part better than the original, and the part of Denham is one of them. Unfortunately, it is the type of role that will get little respect when it comes time for awards nominations but Black should be considered for the great job he does with this part.

Denham is a character that uses the system to make movies, not movies that companies want, but movies that drive him. He has a vision and will stop at nothing to obtain that vision, even if it comes at a cost to others. In many ways, he is selfish, and thinks of no one but himself, there is a price to pay for that obsession and he doesn’t care who pays that price.

Then there is screenwriter and play write Jack Driscoll played beautifully by Adrien Brody. Brody is tricked onto a journey by Denham and becomes the love interest and hero that ultimately has to help save Darrow from the hands of King Kong. That becomes good experience though as he ultimately has more people to save. He and Kong have a relationship you might say. One of respect for each other, but one where they both have an admiration of the same woman. As a result there has to be conflict and jealousy. It doesn’t take long to realize that Kong is an animal and hasn’t developed that level of maturity just yet.

Then there is the feature character of the film, the one you don’t see for an hour into the film, but one that steals the show. That character is Kong himself. The progression of CGI has to be mentioned here. This Kong is the star, and the reality that he is a creature created on a computer can’t be lost. He has great expression, action, movement and the creators of Kong will win many awards for their creation. In fact the CGI is so good that this one boy, me, got a little sick at the end of the movie because I am afraid of heights. On the big screen, I found myself becoming nauseated due to the reality of the scenes filmed on top of the Empire State Building.

King Kong is a movie that is not for the feint of heart. The native scenes on Skull Island are scary and ferocious. The scenes of what takes place on the island are also at times gross and frightening. That is a tribute to the creators of the movie including Jackson. The viewer gets so caught up in the movie that they find themselves a part of the story. We find humor in scenes where Darrow finally wins over Kong, and in the scenes where Kong meets his doom. There is a scene where Kong has escaped in New York and they do a sort of ice dance that I found myself smiling and appreciating the movie all the more. This beautiful scene shows the understanding and love that Kong and Darrow are able to show each other. The story of King Kong is a wonderful story, but there is another story of this film that will go unnoticed with little mention. That is the story of love, and calling. Of loving a story so deeply that one is called to do the original movie, and story justice. Peter Jackson is that story. This man had a passion for something he loved, and overcame many obstacles to see to it that the thing he loved came about. That in itself can be a reminder to all of us. To hold fast to dreams and then have the patience and will to see those dreams come true. While working towards those dreams have the passion to do the things we want right. Not half way, not part of the way, but all of the way with quality. When we do that, we will likely see results that we can be proud of. Just as Peter Jackson must feel right now about a movie he has dreamed of making since he was a little boy.

On a scale of 1 – 10, for the number of fingers on Kong minus the love of his life a wonderful, fun filled 9.

—1. Overview (multimedia)
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters
—8. Production Notes
—9. Spiritual Connections
—10. Presentation Downloads