Jack Black is a sore spot here, playing a completely different character than Robert Armstrong did back on 1933. Instead of being overly zealous and ambitious, his character has a reason for his actions: insanity. His slow descent into madness doesn't really work, mostly because Black is out of his element and his unnatural style doesn't mesh with the rest of the cast.
Some of the action is also over the top. The spider pit sequence pays homage to a forever lost sequence from the original, and the action here (along with the rather pitiful rescue) stretches things. The stampede does the same thing, with far too many close calls that are far too contrived and convenient. The same thing can be said for the Skull Island natives, shot with a rather aggravating slow motion and blur effect. It takes away from the horror of the sequence.
When Kong is on though, it's one unforgettable moment that's followed up with another. The sign this is a sure classic comes from the dramatic sequences. The brutal three-way T-Rex fight has plenty of merit going for it, yet when you leave the theater, it's the touching scenes between Ann and Kong that stick out. The playful romp in Central Park, the sunset on a ledge, or the final shot of the beast staring at her as his life slips away are the shots we pay to see.
What this edition becomes is a three-hour dream sequence for fans. Those who love King Kong could barely even imagine a retelling of the story like this, and yet here it is on film, with all of those dreams intact. The decision to take Kong and give him emotion without turning him into something too human was the best move Jackson could have made. This is a masterpiece of film, easily on par with the original.
(***** out of *****)
Article comments
1 - Brent McKee
Robert Armstrong had a perfect model for his portrayal of Denham - Merrian C. Cooper who directed the original King Kong was if anything an even larger than life character than Denham in terms of ambition and showmanship. Unless you're saying that Peter Jackson is crazy, Black has to draw on his own skills n his portrayal of someone descending into madness.
2 - Jenifer Gonzales
I couldn't agree more that Jack Black was miscast in the Denham role. I also found it odd that he was reunited with Colin Hanks -- they were together on screen in Orange County, and maybe that's why it felt odd. Hardly credible.
But Naomi Watts was the PERFECT Ann Darrow. She's exquisitely beautiful, and I can't imagine another actress from today's Hollywood playing that part.
3 - JG
I thought this was a very bad film - about 90 minutes too long, unsympathetic characters, poor visual effects and many ridiculous sequences. A clunker.