If it becomes anything, this obscure (laserdisc and VHS only) version of the American classic is a unique watch for fans. The few shots where the process works are beautiful and show there was some potential in the concept. The problem was there's no need for it. King Kong is the way to prove that, and given the choice, it's hard to find many reasons to stick up for this Turner mess.
Matt Paprocki is a 12-year movie and game critic. He currently freelances for Blu-ray review site DoBlu.com and video game site MultiPlayerGames.com.
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Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
I'm not sure how much technology improvement can really be done, short of full-on CGI-ing everything and treating the original monochrome version of the film as nothing but motion capture.
When the colorized version of things first started showing on the tube, I used to turn the color knob (remember those) on my TV all the way down and watch the films in black-and-white. :-)
I'm definitely going to avoid this monstrosity.
2 - tierny
I actually liked it...I fiddled with the color on my remote to get it just right--the picture was very vivid and soft on the eyes. I can see why Cooper wanted to film this in color, too bad he couldn't get RKO to finance it...they were in financial trouble. That said I do prefer the B&W version, if only because this is the way I am used to seeing it. However, I'll take colorization over sepia that was used in many films. To me this film colorized is just a novelty.