KONG!!!!!

dpaterso · Dec 14, 2005

The other day I heard someone ask, "What's it about?" Honest, they did. My neck's in agony from shaking my head so much. What's King Kong about? What do you supposed to say to a question like that? "Are you from Mars?"

-Derek
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The ImagiNation · Dec 14, 2005

I just got back from seeing KONG and I do have to admit, it was one of the best films I've seen in a very long time. I mean the effects, acting, all the way down to the total emotion(which is something I wasn't expecting) blew me away.

Oh, and it's good to see a screenwriter get some love for a change.

Perks · Dec 14, 2005

I have not looked forward to a movie this much in a very long time. I can't wait! Funny thing though, when I heard that Peter Jackson was doing another remake of it, all I could say was, "Why?"

All doubts were removed at the extended preview I saw before "Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire."

aruna · Dec 16, 2005

hmmmmm..... I saw Kong last night and was a little underwhelmed. I can appreciate it being loved by teenage boys but it's not really my thing. Not that it wasn't well made; sure, that impressed. But every time a new dnager loomed I kept thinking, oh no, not again. I found it boring. The best character was King Kong himself, by far.
But yes, that's just me. I'm sure it'll be a huge success.

triceretops · Dec 16, 2005

I love Kong, as well as the Son of Kong, and the Mighty Joe Youngs. But if they eff this up with cartoon-like CG, I'm going to scream my head off. These animals better have weight and momentum, and move according to real morphology, or me and about 6,000 paleontologist buffs are going to blow our stacks. You wanna know what bad CG can do to a movie? Just watch the re-make of the Incredible Hulk, and it will hit you flat in the face. The best megafauna CG that has ever been done was Jurrasic Park, particulary the first one. Except the damn Stegasaurus was way out of proportion in that film, and it has been hotly debated lately that T-Rex was ever that fast of a runner at 35-miles per hour plus. The brute doesn't have the legs for it--T-Rex is looking more and more like a trotter, or a fast walking scavenger, according to the most recent studies.

I highly resent the ad grab "Peter Jackson's Kong." Bull crappy, give the original author the credit for this masterpiece. It's Jackson's REMAKE. Although I love Jackson's work notwithstanding.

Tri

aruna · Dec 16, 2005

stegosaurus said:
He completely gives credit to everyone involved with the original...not only has he very publicly said the the original Kong is the reason he started making movies...he has several "in" jokes/tributes to the original...and at the end of the credits he gives a special thanks to the original creators and especially to Faye Ray. He's given the props.

It wasn't a dig, and I don't think its belittling; I'm merely repeating an old adage. When I was a member of a screenplay forum, years ago, the accepted "wisdom" was that most Hollywood blockbusters were aimed to attract teenage boys aged 12 - 14; the reason being that they were the ones who went to see a movie over and over again. Thus, there would be much action, and little character development. In this movie, I felt that was the case; the characters were quite thin, and as I enjoy films mainly for the characterization - this felt a little flat for me, I wasn;t intereste din the action; I felt it (the action) could have been cut by 50% and it would have improved the film.

triceretops · Dec 16, 2005

Okay, Steg, that sounds good. Hey you're another dino. I can't really comment until I've seen it, but I'm sure to like it, since it's something I wish I wrote, hands down.

At first I had serious reservations about Jack Black being cast as Carl Denim (sp?), but knowing that Black has got quite an emotional range of acting ability, I'm willing to let it pass until I see it. I've also heard that scenes have now been installed that are faithful to the original old book version, hence its over three hours in length. So that might be a neat feature.

Suprisingly enough, I believe this genre is called action/adventure. Though it might have some horror elements to it.

I might have to wait for the DVD.

Tri

aruna · Dec 16, 2005

triceretops said:
I might have to wait for the DVD.

Tri

No, no, watch on the big screen. The best thing about the movie was the gorilla, and that just HAS to be seen in gigantic format!

aghast · Dec 16, 2005

I think theres certain a gender difference somewhere because most guys I know just love it, I mean Kong is a classic but most women I know either like it (including the old films) or dont really care. Reminds me of Titanic when the guys all went crazy about the sinking of the boat and the speical effects but coudlnt stand the romance story while the women just ate up the tragic love story thing. Some people simply dont like big budget hollywood special effects movies so theres no reason why we must agree if Kong is the best movie ever. I think the best movie this year was Crash but I havent seen everything yet.

aruna · Dec 16, 2005

Exactly. What I really loved was the character of Kong himself; I wanted more of him, and less action - but that doesn't mean it;s not a good film. I'm sure it was - just not for me.

Writer2011 · Dec 16, 2005

I remember watching the re-make of KING KONG with Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges...It was decent and I hated the way it ended (but of course) ten years later there was of course KING KONG LIVES....(YAWN)...Anyway, I want to see this SECOND re-make of an all-time classic. I have my doubts because...still sometimes it's better to leave well-enough alone and let it rest. I mean what if they re-made BEN HUR or THE TEN COMMANDMENTS...

Anyway, I do want to see it but like I said, I have my doubts.

The ImagiNation · Dec 16, 2005

In my personal opinion, I felt this movie was amazing. Sure, I felt that some of the action was overdone and could have been excluded(the whole fighting giant bugs scene) but I felt that an emotional picture was beautifully painted here. Something that should have been seen as a villian, in that Kong was destroying everything and everyone, turned into a unique love story between beast and woman. And this was all done without a single word of dialouge. That right there is amazing.

Was King Kong a gound breaking film as far as character development is concerned?

No

Did King Kong teach me something about character emotions and have an impact on me as a viewer and writer?

Most definitely

Aldenard · Dec 16, 2005

King Kong was alot better than I thought it would be. Even after the Lord of the Rings, I was still wary about Peter Jackson's directing abilities, but I believe this film has erased any doubts I had. I loved in intense action and how the characters and emotions were conveyed so well, especially without words alot of the time. The two most glaring flaws it had, in my opinion were:

1. The secondary characters. They are fine in many films and can even help make a good film great, but in King Kong they seemed to be there for little reson beyond someone to get killed by the creatures on the island. Alot of them had issues, such as Jimmy, but none of these were resolved and about halfway through the film they were nearly all forgotten.

2. The ending seemed to go on FOREVER. Just like the end of Return of the King, Jackson needs to learn when to cut a film off. I was fine with the rampage through New York, and we all knew what was coming when he climbed the Empire State Building, but why prolonge the inevitable? There seemed to be quite a few minutes of King Kong simply bellowing at planes and Naomi Watts gaping at Kong. Sure ya, he's going to die, can we get it over with? If I see a character climb another ladder....

I just saw it tonight with some friends, so these are just my current thoughts. I will probably see it again tomarrow with my brothers, and hey, i may like it more second time. Who knows?

aghast · Dec 16, 2005

I am just interested in the beauty and the beast love story angle of both the classics and this one, apparently they intensify the love angle. What do you think, should a woman be able to marry her gorilla lover? chuckle chuckle

aruna · Dec 16, 2005

Aldenard said:
2. The ending seemed to go on FOREVER. Just like the end of Return of the King, Jackson needs to learn when to cut a film off. I was fine with the rampage through New York, and we all knew what was coming when he climbed the Empire State Building, but why prolonge the inevitable? There seemed to be quite a few minutes of King Kong simply bellowing at planes and Naomi Watts gaping at Kong. Sure ya, he's going to die, can we get it over with? If I see a character climb another ladder....

I didn't mind the long end - it was the long BEGINNING that bored me! I kept thinking, where's the monkey? I felt that a lot of the build up was unnecessary and could have been cut; and even the love story between her and Adrian Brody was superfluous. The real love was between her and the ape, and that was brilliant - I wanted more of it! The human love story was too much of an anti-climax in comparison. I just couldnot get into it, or feel anything for them, or care whether they got together or not.

Too often, I could not suspend my disbelief, for instance during the Charge of the Dinosaurs.

Aldenard · Dec 17, 2005

Personally, I really liked the slow begining. I thought Jack Black's character was great, and his shenanigins to get his film started were quite amusing. I also loved seeing depictions of 1930s New York, and how the depression affected it. The boat may have been a tad too long, and I'm not sure how necessary the natives were. They disappeared completly after their one little scene, so should they have been in there at all?

WritingFool · Dec 18, 2005

I say what they really need to bring back is Giant Robot. Rmember that little Johnny Sako kid?

And what do you think, will this open the door for a Godzilla 2000 King Kong III showdown.

If they throw that on pay per view, Id watch it!

My money always goes on the big kamoto dragon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Rufus Rocks ! ! ! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jamesaritchie · Dec 18, 2005

Kong

I thought the ending was very good, but for most of the movie I was checking my watch to see if it was still working. I haven't been so bored in years.

AdamH · Dec 18, 2005

The beginning did seem to drag a bit after the novelty of the characters ran out. A lot of the lines seemed real cheesy with a side of ham. Especially the last line of the movie (and I won't give it here in case someone hasn't seen it, but if you have seen it you know this line). Not sure if that was intentional as a throw-back to the original movie and its acting but, if it was, Jackson shouldn't have.

For what it's worth, after Kong appeared on the screen the action did pick up a bit and the rest of the movie went by pretty quick for me but that was about 45 minutes in.

The creepiest sequence was that guy slowly getting sucked alive by a couple of giant bugs. They looked like giant worms with teeth. You had to suspend belief at a lot of points but there are a lot of movies (especially sci-fi) that ask you to do that. It didn't bother me it seemed unrealistic.

MarkButler · Dec 18, 2005

Maddwriter said:
The creepiest sequence was that guy slowly getting sucked alive by a couple of giant bugs. They looked like giant worms with teeth. You had to suspend belief at a lot of points but there are a lot of movies (especially sci-fi) that ask you to do that. It didn't bother me it seemed unrealistic.

Yes - amazing what they can get away with in a PG-13 if they don't show a breast. Men being eaten alive - no problem, let the kiddies watch, show a nipple - gasp, make sure the tender little ones can't watch.

Anyway I loved it, Best movie I have seen in a long time, perhaps ever. I found it moved really well, could not believe 3 hours had already passed.

Ivonia · Dec 18, 2005

I liked the movie for the most part. I did find the beginning kind of boring, even though I understood why it had to be shown (and yeah, way too many 2ndary characters. Only Jimmy and the black guy seemed to be of any real importance, as also evidenced by the game version, cause they're the only sailors with you in the game hehe).

The CGI is great in some parts, bad in others. Any scenes with Kong in it were great for me, especially when he was fighting those V-rexes (and man, it's so satisfying doing that to the ones in the game when you play as Kong

). The brontosaur scene was a little fake to me though (the dinos didn't seem to be as realistic as the humans), and perhaps a comedic scene wasn't really appropiate there (it did work somewhat, but I think it would've been better without it). My only real major complaint here is the fact that there's too many scenes with Kong and Ann staring at each other. I know they care about each other, you don't have to show us like 50 times lol (esp. at the end).

I liked it overall, despite some problem areas that others have pointed out (as well as what I just said). I went in half hearted (wasn't as interested in seeing it as my brother), but I'm glad I went. Definitely worth watching.

Winterchase · Dec 21, 2005

Speaking of Kong!

By Andy Borowitz

Newsweek

Updated: 12:36 p.m. ET Dec. 13, 2005

Dec. 13, 2005 - It's official: Jennifer Aniston and King Kong are heading down the aisle.

Hollywood, which has been buzzing with rumors of a torrid romance between the former "Friends" star and the giant ape, got the news today from an official spokesperson representing Tinseltown's latest power couple.

"Jennifer and King Kong will be married this June," said Sherrie Lasky, the couple's publicist. "We hope the press and the public will respect their privacy."

While many in Hollywood consider the Aniston-Kong love-match an unlikely pairing, a friend of the couple said today that "Jennifer has never been more in love. Kong is really good for her."

The two stars came into each other's lives at the perfect time, the friend said, with Aniston nursing her wounds from her breakup with actor Brad Pitt and Kong nursing his wounds from being shot down from the top of the Empire State Building.

But according to Buddy Schlantz, a veteran talent agent and observer of the Hollywood scene, there could be less to the romance than meets the eye: "If Jennifer didn't have a new movie coming out right now that she wants to publicize, I seriously doubt that she'd be engaged to that ape."

If the wedding proceeds as planned, however, Schlantz says that the couple may have difficulty obtaining the privacy they reportedly desire: "It's hard to dodge the paparazzi when the bridegroom is 40 feet tall."

eazy · Dec 22, 2005

"Queen" Kong

"I can appreciate it being loved by teenage boys" aruna

I am a fifteen year old boy and I really didn't like the movie at all. I have never seen the original but could predict everything that was about to happen. Come on, the captain shows up and saves the day not once but twice.

LloydBrown · Dec 22, 2005

aspiringwriter said:
I mean what if they re-made BEN HUR or THE TEN COMMANDMENTS...

Ben Hur was remade twice: first in 1925, and then in 1959.

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