RUTHERFORD ON FILM
'Kong' Collars Moviegoers from Opening Growl
By Tony RutherfordHuntington News Network Write
Huntington, WV (HNN) --- Seldom can any review claim that a film commands their attention from opening frame to the end credits. "King Kong" breaks the mold by Immediately turning to succulent entertainment that grips viewers with every Flawless shot and sound that appear to effortlessly blend into a can't take your Eyes off the screen spectacular.
Before mentioning the original 1933 movie on which the Peter ("Lord of The Rings") Jackson re-make is based, it's more appropriate to alert viewers That they are about to venture into a production that easily combines the elements of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Titanic," and "Jurassic Park" into one powerful film
Jackson packs so much intro this package that the three-hour plus Running time appears economical. He wisely expounds in areas that the original filmmakers could not compete -- the battles of the monsters on Skull Island. Not content to simply have the 25-foot-tall gorilla bash hunters and A reptile, Jackson has populated the primitive land with a lost world of dinosaurs, giant bats and insects. The unprecedented up close and intimate creature warfare easily encompasses an hour of the production.
On the gentle, touchy feely side, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) sways the Beast's heart by a combination of dance, acrobatics, somersaults and gentle Spoken words. Watts starts her ordeal with wide-eyed, sweating terror and Gradually chills until a touching scene in which she falls asleep in the ape's hand.
The director's personal 'brand' comes from packing more than one action Per frame onto the wide screen while flawlessly transitioning to equally compelling events. For instance, as the run-down vessel leaves port, he juxtaposes pulling up anchor as the waves pound the boat while sailors force the engines into full speed, even as they fight to balance themselves on deck and elude the speeding police cars on the dock anxious to prevent the ship from sailing.
Similarly, as the vessel creeps into the misty, visually challenged edges of Skull Island, passengers board a raft which manages while rocking like a white river platoon to delicately maneuver through the reef and rock filled waters, only to find even more frightening and foreboding challenges.
And, during this prelude to the first appearance of Kong, viewers sit Rigid (literally) on the edge of the rocking seats eyes frozen to the giant Screen fearing that during a darting glance away they would miss a vital morsel.
Soon, the shushing and swishing deadly waves part as Darrow falls victim to the classic sacrificial scene in which she dangles from crude tree restraints her dirty toes desperately stretching for terra firma as her eyes bloat as she's flung into the jungle to await slaughter by an unknown furry black ape that will playfully poke her even as she rebels in horror like a feisty mouse confronted by a teasing, toothy cat.
Continuing his multiple event per scene style, Jackson ignites more magnificent visual over stimulation as, for example, hunters shooting and a barrage of swinging vines pack so many actions into the image that you ponder whether your eyes and ears absorbed everything. Yes, you find yourself wishing for a instant replay to again experience the adrenaline rushes that encompass the production.
The computerized synced backgrounds can not be separated from the Immersed humans. Aside from the dinosaur and ape battles for supremacy, "King Kong" has a stunning recreation of 1930s Time Square and glorifies the Legendary Empire State Building into a glistening icon of power.
How can beauty fall for this beast? That story has been retold over and over, but Jackson steers from the sensual into the deeper element of unconditional love and friendship which could only be achieved through a protective bond that extends to Ann's feelings for the furry, giant toothed gorilla that swoons to a chimpanzee at the sight of the blonde.