King Kong (DVD, 2006, Special Edition Anamorphic Widescreen)

Look, before someone mouths off about how this movie compares to the original you gotta remember what you're watching: a remake. I see someone complaining about how the movie differs from the original and that the changes are basically absurd...well the whole point of remaking a movie is to change some of its elements and put your own touch on it - that's just what Peter Jackson did and it worked. I am a fan of the original, but with today's CGI and high quality film making, it's about time King Kong was reinvented. People criticize the choice of Jack Black as Karl Denham...well it works because he is great in this film. Peter Jackson doesn't just give us Kong like the original film, he gives us a plethera of characters and personalities through out the film. Also, he does something that the original didn't really do: he humanized Kong. The emotional attachment Kong has for Ann is much stronger and put into perspective. Jackson did a great job, also, of making Kong more like a real ape as far as his mannerisms went. As we see his love for Ann develop, we begin to feel sorry for the massive primate - especially when he meets his demise at the end. The original Kong was an action flick, pure and simple; Jackson's version is so much more. Jackson's Kong is action, adventure, some comedy, some sci-fi and definitely a whole lot of romance/drama. Everyone will enjoy this film. Oh, now you're gonna complain about the length...? Ok, so on paper it seems like it's too long - just sit down and watch it, though, and you'll suddenly notice that this movie clicks and gels so perfectly that you'll never even notice its length. Kong looks real...stop criticizing what CGI has done for films. While at times you can tell you're looking at a computer image and not a real ape, there are thousands of other times where you completely forget that Kong isn't real like the actors around him. Besides, how can you complain about CGI Kong without complaining about claymation Kong? Clearly a step-up. If you liked the old movie, keep an open mind and try this movie...you'll be pleasantly surprised. Anyone who hasn't seen these movies, it's not just some giant gorilla destroying the city, it's such a deep story that everyone will enjoy.

Let me just say that with all of the remakes that have been coming out, King Kong may have been the most deserving and the most in need of being remade. I could not think of a better director for this type of film than Peter Jackson.

King Kong stays pretty true to the original. Naomi Watts plays Fay Wray's Ann Darrow perfectly. Right down to her emotional connection with Kong, which is helped by the fact that Kong is pretty darn lovable when he is not ripping apart dinosaurs.

Adrien Brody plays a great Jack Driscoll as well. Brody is truly a gifted actor and plays a good hero.

Even Jack Black did a good job as the rebellious director Carl Denham. Usually I am annoyed by Black's performances, even though they are mostly in comedies. Surprisingly, Black kept his character serious and the movie is better for it. I though for sure he would be the one to ruin this movie for me but, again, I stand corrected. The comedy seemed to be reserved for Kong, himself, and did a wonderful job.

I can not express how much more I enjoyed this movie without the "guy in the suit" special effects. Kong was very appealing visually, as well as the other dinosaurs. I do not say this too much in reviews. In fact, I doubt I have ever said it but King Kong has turned out to be a masterpiece which will raise the bar for many years to come.

The movie was very good however,...it was a little too long, Jack Black is not a good Carl Denham, Mr. Driscol was not intended to be a 'playwrite', and sometimes you can tell the animation is computer generated, especially in one of the early island scenes where the crew is chased through a canyon by a group of dinosaurs. The music was very below par with the original version of the film and when Kong is on stage in New York doesn't he look a little smaller in perspective compared to his size when he's fighting planes from the top of the Empire State Building? All in all thouigh another decent effort from Peter Jackson. I did enjoy the fight between Kong and the group of T-Rex creatures. Another good thing about the movie is the interaction between Kong and Ann. Much more depth than the original. Maybe I'm being a little picky but when you mess with a classic like King Kong, you need to have perfection as your goal, not a 3 hour tour with souped upped special effetcs to help make a buck.

Spectacular, Stunning, Amazing, Fantastic...I guess you can tell I truly enjoyed this film. Yes, the movie is over three hours long, but that's one thing you can come to expect from director Peter Jackson after his excellent rendition of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Yes, there is no profanity or sex in the movie, and yes, it is a visual treat, and yes, all the actors are great, even Jack Black as the hapless director Carl Denham.

The extras are also superb, delving into the history of Skull Island and New York City, as well as the Production Diaries, which looks into the work behind the scenes of the movie. This movie is just great.

I have seen all the King Kong movies ever put on film. The first one of course is the original with Fay Raye and Robert Armstrong. I was 7 years old and had nightmares for many years about a gorilla coming to eat me. I have had many debates about all the King Kong movies to follow. This King Kong was a little too long and I could do with out the bug scene. I just hate bugs and to have one suck up a grown man like a Hoover with six legs, just about grossed me out. What I liked best about this picture is Kong was a silver-back and they showed what it would be like to be held as he went through the area to get to his lair or home. The connection he developed with the lady. The love she grew into for this mammoth beast was just so beautiful. the Brontosaurus's running and stumbling all around the men was a little unbelievable. I would think there were no survivors but somehow most of them survived. I just liked this movie for it's realism of how a gorilla really acts as to the viciousness all the others portrayed gorillas to be. Kong may have killed some of the men but he was just protecting his prize he felt was being threatened. Jack Black had me confused, was he on drugs or was he just in a daze? He didn't say much and he always seem to be staring out in the void. I didn't feel he was the best choice for Mr. Denton. All in all this King Kong left me satisfied that finally we got our money worth. A lot of unanswered questions were given attention to. I was on the side of Kong from the beginning as soon as I saw he looked just like a real Gorilla and none of his behavior surprised me. Great movie will watch this many times because it keeps my interest.