ALLAN HUNTER at the Movies

SEVENTY YEARS AGO audiences had seen nothing quite like ‘King Kong’. The astounding tale of a giant ape and his tragic love may have seemed primitive, but its impact was revolutionary.

Times change and audiences have become much more sophisticated. It would be impossible to imagine the story having quite the same impact in the era of ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Harry Potter’. Not so – Peter Jackson achieves the impossible with his $200 million, three-hour remake of ‘King Kong’ that expands and enhances every aspect of the original.

The film begins in a stunning recreation of 1930s New York where poverty stalks the streets and actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) is desperate for a job. Smooth-talking showman Carl Denham (Jack Black) invites her to be the leading lady in his new cinema spectacular.

Fleeing creditors and angry studio executives, Denham, Darrow, screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) and a motley crew set sail for Skull Island. Some of them will not return alive.

Over an hour passes before we catch a glimpse of the 25 foot ape called Kong. The film then becomes Jackson’s version of ‘Jurassic Park’, complete with roaring monsters, deadly dinosaurs and ferocious creepy crawlies.

The story concludes back in New York with Kong on display as a freak show attraction who will stop at nothing to be reunited with the lovely Ann, the only one who has glimpsed the gentle creature beneath the savage monster.

A stunning display of technical artistry and celluloid storytelling, Kong is filled with jaw-dropping spectacle, but finds a true poignancy in the doomed attraction between beauty and the beast. It is a blockbuster of beguiling brilliance .

Nationwide release
Director: Peter Jackson
Stars: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Jamie Bell, Thomas Kretschmann, Kyle Chandler
Screenplay: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens
Certificate: 12A
Running time: 188 mins
Country: US
Year: 2005

© Allan Hunter, 2005