King Kong - 2005

by Jonathan Little - 2005-12-16

I went to the cinema yesterday with very high expectations of this remake by Peter Jackson, the trailers and his previous films being superb. I really was not at all disappointed by it: it was amazing. In fact, the film beat my high expectations. Some may ask why a remake of such a classic deserves to be made, but if you see the cgi in the film combined with an epic story and you will understand. There are places where you think it is just too similar to the original, but it is a very different and brilliant film. In the original Ann felt nothing for the giant ape that has fallen for her, but in this version a connection between the two builds, and in the final parts of the film it builds to a dramatic and emotional climax as we the audience have fallen for the beast! This film is so, so thrilling, and the two big set pieces of Kong vs. the three T-Rexs, and him vs. the biplanes at the end make this film awesome. I could write about how great this film is for days. Is it a Lord of the Rings beater though? Time will tell, and I might have to update this review when the DVD is released, but thank you, Peter, for remaking your favourite film: you really have done the original justice!

Update: Well I said time would tell, this film has really not aged well. It is overlong for what it needs Jamie Bell's storyline should not exist and adds a pointless 15mins to the film. It ruins the flow and makes this film flawed.