King Kong: A Review (B+)
So I went to see it yesterday. I had really wanted to see it. I mean, after all, this was made by the guy who made LOTR, correct? So it had to be good, correct?
Hm.
Writing
"Carl Denham: 'And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty. And it stayed its hand from killing. And from that day, it was as one dead.' "
Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens captured the emotional heart and mystery of this story very well, creating beleivable, (and sometimes funny) dialoge that was perfect for this movie.
Story
The storyline was good, though very long. I have heard it described as three movies, and this is very accurate. There's the time on the boat and in NYC, the time on Skull Island, and the end in NYC. I am going to deal with each of them separately.
I. NYC and on the Boat
This tale begins slowly, introducing the characters almost painstakingly, but not unnescicarrily. Romance and humor fly, along with a deep sense of forboding, punctuated by warnings from superstititious sailors. All in all, a good beginning to a promising tale.
II. Enter Skull Island
This is the most graphically amazing portion of the film, awing us with creepy tribal sights, lush jungles, incredible creatures, battles, and one big monkey named Kong. All in all, a wonderful action part, truly amazing. I have only two problemos: 1) Unecissary and gory deaths, 2) dragging on.
1) Kong killed so many people, in so many different, horrible ways that did not forward the plot at all, (except for in the case of one of the younger sailor's mentor's death, which birthed a wonderful subplot that was unfortunately and unwisely discarded without a word), and, in fact, made me hate Kong more than love him. The destruction Kong wreaked here (and in later parts) simply destroyed what pity I had left for him, and I wanted him dead. It's not good when the audience wants the main character dead.
But Kong was not the only perpetrator of said deaths. An uneeded amount of scenes of death and destruction perpetrated by random animals and bugs that did not forward the plot one mite but just made the movie more horrific. I can understand a few uneeded scenes to add emotion, and I can understand action and gore, but this went on and on for so long, I grew sick and wanted to leave the theatre. It was gore-and-fight-fest, Jackson-style. Thank God he didn't do this to LOTR.
2) For instance, when Kong shook Ann up and down, he shook her for about five minuetes, until I grew bored, instead of frightened. This sort of thing happened many, many times, ruining the enchantment of certain moments.
It was a cool segment, though. Cool, but marked.
III. NYC
Good, action-packed, but there were too many innocent deaths, too. Pretty much same complaints as above. I liked it, though. I almost cried- almost. I was too disgusted with Kong and his killing of people to really "feel" for the character.
The ending was brilliant and eerie. Can't give away too much.
Acting
All the actors were INCREDIBLE, (it was stunning how many good people they got) but I must say that I should honor especially these four:
Jack Black, who plays Mr. Dehnam, was a brilliant actor in this role. He should do drama more often. Creepy, human, and many faceted- this was the character born of the writing and of the actor. Very, very, very, good. I saw no lies or fakery with this one- I could practically see the character's brain ticking behind Jack Black's eyes. Kudos to you, Mr. Black.
Naomi Watts (Ann) was very good at translating her sad but human character to the screen, drawing a very fine line between depressed and sad. Her crying and anguish was very admirable. Good job. I couldn't've done it.
Jamie Bell played a sailor boy named Jimmy who had all the makings of a complex, interesting, and heartfelt storyline, which was unfortunately and abruptly dropped. :( His expressions and beleivability were incredible. I must especially point out a scene where one of his chracter's friends dies- his reaction is so real, so raw, one can hardly stand it. Excellent.
Adrian Brody did a good job as the film's hero, Jack Driscoll, passing as a desperate but thoughtful writer-turned-fighter very well, especially during the island scection. Though not graced with much dialoge, his expressions are good, his awkwardness in love is brilliant, and he overall fit his character perfectly. Woot!
Effects
Wow. They were brilliant. Just look into Kong's eyes- you can see a soul behind it. It's amazing. Go Richard Taylor! I can't really say any more than that- you have to see it. Totally beleivable.
Music
The music was a bit repetitive, but I enjoyed it. It brought emotions in well, and was timed just right. Howard Shore was not brilliant, but good.
IN THE END:
Good acting, too much gore, great story, great visuals, too long.
B+
Hm.
Writing
"Carl Denham: 'And lo, the beast looked upon the face of beauty. And it stayed its hand from killing. And from that day, it was as one dead.' "
Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens captured the emotional heart and mystery of this story very well, creating beleivable, (and sometimes funny) dialoge that was perfect for this movie.
Story
The storyline was good, though very long. I have heard it described as three movies, and this is very accurate. There's the time on the boat and in NYC, the time on Skull Island, and the end in NYC. I am going to deal with each of them separately.
I. NYC and on the Boat
This tale begins slowly, introducing the characters almost painstakingly, but not unnescicarrily. Romance and humor fly, along with a deep sense of forboding, punctuated by warnings from superstititious sailors. All in all, a good beginning to a promising tale.
II. Enter Skull Island
This is the most graphically amazing portion of the film, awing us with creepy tribal sights, lush jungles, incredible creatures, battles, and one big monkey named Kong. All in all, a wonderful action part, truly amazing. I have only two problemos: 1) Unecissary and gory deaths, 2) dragging on.
1) Kong killed so many people, in so many different, horrible ways that did not forward the plot at all, (except for in the case of one of the younger sailor's mentor's death, which birthed a wonderful subplot that was unfortunately and unwisely discarded without a word), and, in fact, made me hate Kong more than love him. The destruction Kong wreaked here (and in later parts) simply destroyed what pity I had left for him, and I wanted him dead. It's not good when the audience wants the main character dead.
But Kong was not the only perpetrator of said deaths. An uneeded amount of scenes of death and destruction perpetrated by random animals and bugs that did not forward the plot one mite but just made the movie more horrific. I can understand a few uneeded scenes to add emotion, and I can understand action and gore, but this went on and on for so long, I grew sick and wanted to leave the theatre. It was gore-and-fight-fest, Jackson-style. Thank God he didn't do this to LOTR.
2) For instance, when Kong shook Ann up and down, he shook her for about five minuetes, until I grew bored, instead of frightened. This sort of thing happened many, many times, ruining the enchantment of certain moments.
It was a cool segment, though. Cool, but marked.
III. NYC
Good, action-packed, but there were too many innocent deaths, too. Pretty much same complaints as above. I liked it, though. I almost cried- almost. I was too disgusted with Kong and his killing of people to really "feel" for the character.
The ending was brilliant and eerie. Can't give away too much.
Acting
All the actors were INCREDIBLE, (it was stunning how many good people they got) but I must say that I should honor especially these four:
Jack Black, who plays Mr. Dehnam, was a brilliant actor in this role. He should do drama more often. Creepy, human, and many faceted- this was the character born of the writing and of the actor. Very, very, very, good. I saw no lies or fakery with this one- I could practically see the character's brain ticking behind Jack Black's eyes. Kudos to you, Mr. Black.
Naomi Watts (Ann) was very good at translating her sad but human character to the screen, drawing a very fine line between depressed and sad. Her crying and anguish was very admirable. Good job. I couldn't've done it.
Jamie Bell played a sailor boy named Jimmy who had all the makings of a complex, interesting, and heartfelt storyline, which was unfortunately and abruptly dropped. :( His expressions and beleivability were incredible. I must especially point out a scene where one of his chracter's friends dies- his reaction is so real, so raw, one can hardly stand it. Excellent.
Adrian Brody did a good job as the film's hero, Jack Driscoll, passing as a desperate but thoughtful writer-turned-fighter very well, especially during the island scection. Though not graced with much dialoge, his expressions are good, his awkwardness in love is brilliant, and he overall fit his character perfectly. Woot!
Effects
Wow. They were brilliant. Just look into Kong's eyes- you can see a soul behind it. It's amazing. Go Richard Taylor! I can't really say any more than that- you have to see it. Totally beleivable.
Music
The music was a bit repetitive, but I enjoyed it. It brought emotions in well, and was timed just right. Howard Shore was not brilliant, but good.
IN THE END:
Good acting, too much gore, great story, great visuals, too long.
B+