Aaruprocha0936

In a genre that tends toward the convoluted and cerebral, Kong is the simple monster movie on a grand scale. Directed by Peter Jackson the film follows a team of scientists and soldiers to a hidden island in the Pacific where they encounter giant bugs, natives, and a gigantic lizard creature who goes by the name of King Kong. A few of the action sequences are impressive a helicopter battle that uses camera flash and poison gas, a boneyard scene with an inventive use of slow motion, and the final showdown between Kong and his mother. But the movie is really about Kong who wreaks havoc, tears down buildings and even kills a few dozen people with a single punch. The film is a tribute to Kong the monster and Kong the character.

It is a fun and entertaining movie and it does pack the right amount of excitement. The special effects are top notch and the acting is solid with Naoimi Watts in particular delivering some powerful moments. The film does suffer from a few filler scenes that drag down the pace but the movie is saved by the end. The ending is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The only real issue with the movie is the character of Ann who is a bit too cliched for modern tastes. The movie also contains some possible racial insensitivity with the Skull Island natives who are almost caricatures. Bashing skulls and going into voodoo trances to invoke the spirits does seem a bit too much for a PG-13 film.

Despite some flaws this is a fun and entertaining movie and it is worth checking out. kingkong89 of supplements including interview and featurette footage, image galleries, trailers, and some bits of nonsense fluff like a kill count video and a highlight reel of the action scenes. Disc 2 includes 17 minutes of before-and-after and side-by-side restoration clips from Hong Kong Rescue which is a welcome addition. It would be nice to see a full official release of this version of Kong someday.

My Grade: B