King Kong

[rodneyscat]

Yesterday I went to see King Kong with my oldest two kids.

I loved the start, when the mood is set, how that period of time in that particular place is shown. The depression, the poverty, people trying to make a living and trying to make the most of it, more in general but in theater in particular. That whole part drew me in wonderfully, because it's acted, pictured, cut, edited, and whatever the hell you have to do to make it look like this, just beautifully. And the story drew me in, because I really wanted to know what was going to happen to Ann and Carl.

I loved the part on the ship. Just about every bit of it. Again the way it was shown, the way the music supports and enhances the mood, the acting. I was interested in the people. The romance between Ann and Jack is believable from both sides. That vain Bruce. Clever Jimmy. Hi Andy/Lumpy!! And I predictably fell in love with Hayes.

The arrival at the island is scary, the whole shipwrecking didn't need to take that long, but ok. And from there it both goes fast and slow: The attack of the natives, the capture of Ann, the sacrifice, King Kong, the lot going after them, a dino-stampede that lasts forever, Ann being whopped around in a way that would have snapped her neck but she manages to keep screaming, Ann escaping Kong, and a monster, and another monster, and yet another monster, and a giant insect. Kong fighting one, no two, oh look three monsters. The guys who survived the dino's and the monsters and Kong and falling down a cliff being attacked by giant insects and what the fuck are these swamp things. I kind of lost track of what happened to who exactly in what order. But it was lots and the two moments of bonding between Kong and Ann were really a welcome breather I must say. They worked too; Kong and Ann looking at the sunset is a truly beautiful moment.

About those swamp things: imho it could have been a bit less disgusting to be convincing thank you very much.

King Kong himself is great. Everything about him is.

Ann gets rescued (wtf with the bats?!). Kong is captured (good acting all around, thumbs up for the casting by the way).

And then the part in the city. Hi Howard! I loved the way it was shown all their lives had separated: Ann was aware of what was lost, it was slowly becoming clear to Jack, and Carl didn't know yet, but something was nagging him. Kong was tragic as always. The whole escape was spectacular. The Kong/Ann reunion moving. The scene at the Empire State building beautiful with this mirror scene of them looking at the view. And yeah, Kong's ending is tragic. During this whole outside bit it was bloody distracting to see Ann in her flimsy dress in the freezing cold. I had to keep telling myself Kong's breath was probably heating her up or something. This did not help in the scene where Jack and Ann embrace on the top of that building though.

King Kong dies. The end.

Excellent movie. Would have been better if they'd cut out about an hour worth of scary action scenes though. I love that it's still the acting that moved me most, and this is one hell of a cast! I'm glad I didn't take my youngest along: this is no movie for kids under 12 or thereabout.

Comments

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I loved it too, d_e. and I agree about the acting meaning more than the special effects. I think the bats were to create a diversion and to establish a corollary between the bats and the aeroplanes attacking Kong at the end. Kong thought of them as creatures trying to attack him, nothing more. And the swamp creatures? Yuck! No children under 12 a definite!

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

What made me go 'yeah right...' about the bats was in fact the way Jack and Ann used them to escape, by hanging on to one, but I hadn't seen the connection between the whole flock (?) of bats and the airplanes yet; good point!

My youngest was disappointed that I didn't let him come along. I told him that just because he's now seen one movie that's rated PG-12 over here (the latest Harry Potter), doesn't mean he can now see every movie with that rating. At the very least I wanted to see it myself first, before letting him. But now I've seen it I only had to say it had huge crawly creepers, and he didn't want to see it anymore...

[trianne.livejournal.com]

I think the bats were to create a diversion and to establish a corollary between the bats and the aeroplanes attacking Kong at the end. - what a brilliant observation! I totally see that now :)

[ourdramaqueen.livejournal.com]

PJ definitely indulged in his love for icky things, especially with the swamp creatures! Ewwwwww! But the rest was so good, I can forgive him for that. Awesome movie, and the bonding between Ann and Kong is so beautifully done! Like foxykc said, that romance is up there with Sam and Frodo's! ;)

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

It was a typically PJ thing to do; there are a couple of scenes in LOTR too that made me roll my eyes and go 'oh come on!' I'm always curious what parts are Fran's and Phillipa's doing. I don't want to automatically assume they are responsible for the romantic part and PJ for all the gore and violence. I'm sure there's some overlap.

[penmage.livejournal.com]

I couldn't watch the giant insect scene. I hid my head and told my husband to tell me when it was over. I am a big wimp, and I don't care, because I didn't have nightmares.

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

You were not the only one who couldn't watch anymore! And damn, but the scene went on and on... *shudders*

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

I left about the time they were escaping the island. I just couldn't take anymore. I agree with everything you said. It was just about an hour too long, IMO.

[rodneyscat.livejournal.com]

Wow, you actually left? I can understand though, but I've only once left a movie, and that was because it was so utterly and completely boring (some Jacky Chan movie, I've chosen to forget the title).