King Kong (2005)

By Wendell Muthafuckin Rose • December 8, 2005

Starring: Jack Black, Naomi Watts, & One Big Gorilla

Director: Peter Jackson

Studio: Universal Studios

Rating: Pg-13

Official Bar Score:

I know this movie has been on DVD for awhile but I couldn’t resist reviewing it. Let me start by saying the Kong legacy has been for many years a favorite of mine from the 1933 classic, the 80’s version with Jeff Bridges, and still with Peter Jackson’s beautifully captured remake. I think that the way this movie was filmed was incredible, the special effects are top notch and the plot adds a mild twist to the classic story making the movie less redundant. Ann Darrow, a very beautiful theater actress, finds herself out of a job. She then runs across a once in a life time chance. A very reknown filmmaker, Carl Denham, offers Ann a starring role in his latest film, but the journey they have to make is potentially dangerous. It takes a lot of covincing, but Ann agrees to go along.

After pretty much stealing a small cargo ship the crew unknowingly embarks on a quest to find the legendary “Skull Island” guided only by a hand written map with a strong warning to stay away. The entire crew is spooked when they discover Carl’s plan, and they threaten to turn around but then the eager filmmaker falsely promises a nice chunk of change for their continued services. Ann Darrow ends up falling in love with the screenplay writer she has admired for years, Jack Driscol (Instead of the captain like she did in the original.) Suddenly the ocean gets very foggy, and they realize they’re approaching Skull Island.

O.K. all of the first part of the movie was kind of slow but not at all boring, it took the proper time needed for the character structure. From then on it takes off on an action packed thrill ride of events. Everyone knows how the rest of the movie goes so I’ll highlight some points that made it great for me.The tribe they run into are really freaky looking and violent almost like the tribe in “Cannibal Holocaust” but more crazy. The fight sequences between Kong and a shit load of carnivorous prehistoric creatures were very intense. Giant bugs crept out of dark caves and crevises and attacked the crew. Just the visuals alone where amazing. I personally have always enjoyed when King Kong climbs the Empire State Building and swats at the planes. I think that’s my favorite part.