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King Kong (HD DVD, 2006)
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Despite his origins as a low-budget filmmaker with a taste for the unsavory side of life, Peter Jackson has turned into an "event" filmmaker--someone who can conjure up a movi...Read more
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Anything With Brody Is A-Ok But This Is Pushing It!
Adrien Brody has to be one of the most talented actors of our generation. Not to mention that even though he may not be what most consider handsome - he is one sexy man! Sor...Read more
rating
A very fine, well crafted film.
As "blockbuster" films go, this one was a mixed bag according to most professional reviews. For my taste, I thought it was epic. The acting was first rate and the sc...Read more

Movie synopsis

Despite his origins as a low-budget filmmaker with a taste for the unsavory side of life, Peter Jackson has turned into an "event" filmmaker--someone who can conjure up a movie on a scale unlike anything we've seen before. KING KONG is his sprawling, epic remake of Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack's 1933 movie of the same name, and it is as big as the gorilla that runs riot through Jackson's rendering of Depression-era New York. Keeping the simple yet effective plot intact--a film crew travels to the mysterious Skull Island, picks up Kong, and brings him back to New York City--Jackson expands on this basic premise by drawing on the jaw-dropping talents of his special effects team to satisfy his thirst for the grand spectacle. The movie posits Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow, the starry-eyed blonde beauty whom Kong falls for; Jack Black as Carl Denham, a low-rent Orson Welles look-alike who drags the crew to the island to make his movie; and Adrian Brody as Jack Driscoll, a hack playwright who battles Kong both physically and for Darrow's heart. As the men struggle against Kong and the lumbering dinosaurs of Skull Island, Andy Serkis, who made the character of Gollum so believable in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, steps in to form the facial features of the mighty gorilla, lending a real emotional sucker-punch to the scenes between Darrow and Kong. But it's the final third of the movie where Jackson really delivers; his 1930s New York is stunning, and when Kong breaks free from his shackles and stampedes on a lovelorn trek through the city, then iconically climbs the Empire State Building with his sweetheart, it's impossible to not be swept away by the sheer beauty and sadness of the moment. While its three-hour length may prove daunting to some, the payoff in Jackson's KING KONG is ultimately worth it, proving once again that he is a director of breathtaking vision., IN THEATRES: DECEMBER 15, 2005From Peter Jackson (THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY), this classic thriller about a giant ape that terrorizes New York City gets a high-tech remake promising plenty of awesome special effects. Naomi Watts, Adrian Brody, and Jack Black are in the starring lineup.

Product Details
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Rating: PG-13 (MPAA)
  • Film Country: USA
  • UPC: 025193002921

Additional Details
Genre:Action/Adventure
Format:HD DVD

eBay Product ID: EPID55480063
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Movie trailer and editorial reviews

"Jackson worked fresh magic at his Weta studios in his native New Zealand, where he had Kong do battle with prehistoric predators on Skull Island..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (09/08/2005)

"[T]he movie seals Jackson's reputation: He's the most gifted big-picture artist working today....What resonates is the story, which is a very human tale of compassion, greed, loss, bravery, creativity, foolishness, and love." -- Grade: A
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (10/16/2005)

"[Jackson] succeeds through a combination of modesty and reckless glee, topping himself at every turn and reveling in his own showmanship."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (12/14/2005)

"Jackson is a visionary filmmaker who is not only a technical wizard but also a master storyteller."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (12/13/2005)

"[A] witty comment on the darkness at the heart of adventure stories, a bazillion-dollar spectacle that reserves the right to question the morality of spectacles, and, mostly, a tender love story about a melancholy girl and her tragically misunderstood monkey."
Los Angeles Times - Carina Chocano (12/12/2005)

Included in Entertainment Weekly's Top Ten Films Of The Year -- "[I]t has a marvelous fairy-tale kinetic grandeur....KING KONG attains a primal-pop romantic glory..."
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (12/30/2005)

"Once in the lost world, Jackson reproduces the breathless pacing of the 1933 film, tipping from one huge set-piece to the next..."
Sight and Sound - Kim Newman (02/01/2006)

4 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's made with love, care, and tremendous intelligence….This is still a moving love story at heart..."
Uncut - Michael Bonner (05/01/2006)

"[The] picture does a great job of creating the period of the storytelling....The fantastic mix is energetic and invigorating."
Widescreen Review - Widescreen Review Staff (06/01/2006)

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Anything With Brody Is A-Ok But This Is Pushing It!

Created: 17/09/06
Adrien Brody has to be one of the most talented actors of our generation. Not to mention that even though he may not be what most consider handsome - he is one sexy man! Sorry but I had to get that out of the way.

The movie looks expensive and full of CGI "magic" - which it was. Most of the acting was great - Brody, Jack Black, Colin Hanks and the ship's crew etc. All were great except Naomi Watts. I usually like her but it seemed like she was trying too hard.

The first 3rd of the movie - set in NYC in the 30's - is a bit long and boring. Sure Jackson has to set up each character, give them a background so you feel for them etc. But to me it was just a bit much.

The middle part - on Skull Island - is EXCELLENT! This part alone makes this movie worth buying. The special effects are great but even so, Kong looks too CGI. I don't know what it is. Maybe because he was too much in it, you know a little mystery never hurts. The dinosaurs and bugs all look great - which is why I am confused about Kong not being as good.

The last part is back in NYC. Kong is captured and he is the main attraction on Broadway. You know the story. Everyone knows the story, even if you have not seen the original. This part suffers from CGI overdose. Kong escapes, lots of running- funny how no one is seen dying even though car are crashing left and right, not to mention Kong is has pretty big feet and I'm sure stepped on a few people - lots of screaming etc etc. Empire State Building, planes, well you know.

Saw it in the theaters and was a bit bored. Thought I would give it another chance on dvd, but still a bit bored. But what do I know, lots of people liked it.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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A very fine, well crafted film.

Created: 09/05/09
As "blockbuster" films go, this one was a mixed bag according to most professional reviews. For my taste, I thought it was epic. The acting was first rate and the script really advanced the story at a pace where you could get to know the characters and their motivations.

The CGI is top notch and watching it on HD DVD almost exposes how good it is too much. The CGI characters really pop out more than the real actors. That's not a complaint....that's just the reality of putting a 20 foot, hairy Kong on screen with the beautiful Naomi Watts.

This is a fine adventure film. Quality back story on the main characters and an interesting tale overall. Thumbs up.
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King Kong

Created: 13/04/08
Too long? Yes. Overblown? Of course. Disappointing? Not as much as I remember it being.

I saw this movie in the theater and, like many people, I had extremely high hopes for it. To be fair there really was no way for King Kong to live up to them. I was looking for a movie experience that simply does not exist outside of nostalgic memories. So, of course, I hated this new Peter Jackson version. Hated it.

Skip forward a few years and I decided to give it another go based on its own merits. It's really not that bad. The characters are over the top pulp fiction style like they should be, Kong smashes real estate as he should, and Jack Black does an ok job...I guess. While there is no way for this movie to ever really live up to its own ambition, it is a worthwhile Saturday afternoon sort of film. You know, if you have 3 hours to kill.
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Oh King Kong...

Created: 30/10/07
Ok, if you love animals as I do, this movie will rip your heart out, stomp on it, put it back in your body and then rip it out again. I'm serious. My friend and I went to see this in the theater and we walked out with tear-filled, blotchy eyes. I really don't think I have ever cried so hard in a movie before. That damn ape just gets you! So, like I said, animal lovers beware!

On another note, cinematically this film is stellar. Peter Jackson has not lost one step in his stride coming off of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Visually stunning and full of in-your-face action.

The only reason I wouldn't watch it a second time is because I don't think my body can afford to lose that much water again.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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King Kong (Peter Jackson)

Created: 08/02/08
A true masterpiece! Peter Jackson brings Kong alive! This movie should go down as one of the most incredible works of art for the film industry ever. Jack Black, Naomi Watts, Adrian Brodie and the rest of the cast are truly mesmerizing! Highly recommend!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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King Kong (HD DVD, 2006)
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