How Long? (King Kong [2005] (DVD))

Member Name: helican

Product:	King Kong [2005] (DVD)
Date:	16/08/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Naomi Watts, & Andy Serkis's cleverly-done Kong

Disadvantages: corny & at least an hour too long

I haven't seen the original King Kong but I can't imagine it's a draining three-hour ordeal like this version.

Jack Black hams it up as the 1930's film-maker who sets sail in search of a legendary island as the ultimate location for his new movie.

When they reach the island leading lady Ann (Naomi Watts) is kidnapped by the natives & offered as sacrifice to the local giant gorilla. New love interest Adrien Brody & the crew go to the rescue & there follows the main part of the film: two hours of humans, dinosaurs, weird slug things, giant bugs, giant bats & King Kong himself fighting each other in every possible combination until you feel yourself glazing over.

By the time Ann is saved amid a gorilla/bat fight I was beyond caring.

A lot of it is admirably done though some of the effects are surprisingly dodgy - a dinosaur stampede in particular looks really clunky & dated. There's plenty of cheesy dialogue & rather bizarre slow-motion bits, all the while accompanied by a rather wearing, overblown musical score.

Ann realises Kong has a sensitive, intelligent side & the two build a rapport, but it's not enough to save him from being captured & brought to New York as an exhibit in a crass Broadway show.

He escapes & rampages through the city, leading to the kind of drawn-out, over-emotional, visually stunning ending you'd expect of a Peter Jackson film.

If this film had half the creature battles & all the meaningful gazes cut out it would be half the length, faster-paced & infinitely better. The way Kong is brought to life, & Naomi Watts' superb acting, save this from being a complete turkey, while Adrien Brody is wasted in this overindulgent, melodramatic slog.

Summary: a lovingly done remake that could do with a bit of editing