King Kong
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Movie Reviews of King Kong
Movie Review: King Kong 1976 Rules
Summary: 5 Stars
Quite an amazing feat bringing this film to the big screen in 1976. This, of course, was long before CGI effects began to create everything on computers -- from ships on the ocean to gigantic apes -- just to save movie makers a lot of money.
Oscar-winner Rick Baker created the design and performed the role of Kong throughout most of the film. The hype at the time of the movie's release was that the producers built a 40-foot tall animatron (or robot) of the great ape, that had moving arms, head, eyes and mouth. The giant robot is only featured for a total of twenty seconds in the film. The shots of the robot are intercut with shots of the live actor during the part of the movie when Kong is in the giant cage at the Petrox publicity event.
Interestingly, the scene of the Petrox extravaganza (where Kong eventually escapes to run amok through the streets of New York) was shot on the same lot that the tribal scenes were shot back on Skull Island.
But Rick Baker is the man behind the hydraulic mechanisms in the Kong mask. Seven separate masks were made to allow Kong different expressions. Operators off camera operated the controls while Baker made the appropriate gestures.
Baker's fascination with primates -- primarily the gorilla -- began when he was a child. His study of gorilla anatomy and behavior is legendary. He created and performed the role of "Stanley the Gorilla" in Lily Tomlin's early film, "The Incredible Shrinking Woman." He also created the gorillas in Sigourney Weaver's "Gorillas in the Mist" and the jungle apes in "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan." His latest foray into Hollywood ape-dom was for Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes," where the character make-ups are nothing short of astounding.
Baker's first Oscar for special effects make-up came, I believe, with "An American Werewolf of London." David Naughton may not have turned into a giant ape, but the transformation sequence from man to wolf was the brainchild of Rick Baker. The effects were created LIVE on the studio stage and involved such innovative techniques as filling air bladders, pulling a lever that made the snout of a man's face protrude, and filming in reverse. No CGI involved at all.
Turning from the icon of the film to its stars, the performance of all is exemplary. Charles Grodin (who also shared billing with Lily Tomlin and "Stanley" in "The Incredible Shrinking Woman") is at his understated comic best as the evil oil man hiding behind the mask of "Public concern" who has dreams of making it "big" by climbing the corporate ladder.
Jeff Bridges hands in a fine performance as the liberal paleontologist who has studied the legends of the mythical beast.
Jessica Lange was roundly scorned by critics as the worst actress in a film released during the Christmas season of 1976. The character she played, "Dwan," ("Dwan," she says to her rescuers. "D-W-A-N. You know, like 'Dawn,' except I switched two letters to make it more memorable") was ditzy and somewhat shallow "I'm gonna be a star!" and childlike. She loses these qualities as she becomes more attached to Kong and fears for his life. By the end of the film, we believe in the tears she sheds over the loss of her friend.
Lange proved critics wrong five years later by acting in an incredible remake of "The Postman Always Rings Twice" with Jack Nicholson. A year after that, in 1982, she played the role of real life actress Frances Farmer, a starlet from the 1930s who goes from being a happy-go-lucky young teenager to a Hollywood victim who eventually undergoes a lobotomy.
Lange's performances in these two films alone cast a new light on her performance in "Kong," one in which critics finally realized that her ditzy and shallow performance was actually the product of great acting.
Belated apologies were granted in the form of a "Best Supporting Actress" Oscar for playing opposite Dustin Hoffman in 1982's "Tootsie." Certainly, her peers awarded her the prize, not for her rather phone-it-in performance in "Tootsie," but for the work she did in "Postman" and "Frances."
The DVD version of "King Kong" is terrific. The video's aspect ratio is 2.35:1 and clearly shows the grain in the filmstock used. The audio has been mixed to 5.1 from its original 2.0.
Movie Review: Sue me, but I loved it. (And still do.)
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, after reading some of the other reviews for this film, at least I know I'm not alone. If there's any problems with the acting, I've never been able to see it. The action scenes are still exciting, I'm able to engage with the characters, and when Kong dies at the end (unless you follow the god-awful sequel, KING KONG LIVES) and we hear the melonchaly music, I still am greatly saddened by it.
Aside from the more contemporary setting, differences between the film are: The guys who come to the island are oil company men, Jack, the main male human hero, is an animal scientist (forget the exact name of his profession,) who stows away on the ship, and when they find him it's too late to turn around and drop him off, so they take him with them. Then they find a raft with an unconcious woman, Dwan, floating in it, which is how she comes to be with the crew. There are no dinosaurs on the island, only the human natives, Kong and a giant snake. (At least that we see.) The guy played by Charles Gordon (who would probably be this film's answer to the Carl Denham character of the other two films,) ends up getting killed by Kong. At the end, Kong climbs the World Trade Center and battles flame thrower troops and attack helicopters.
To compare to the other King Kong films, both the origonal and the recent one, this new one is set in what was then the present day (1976), which I liked because, really, it makes more sense. (Having the film set at any period in history is rather absurd since a giant ape being found and captured and then rampaging in New York is something you wouldn't think would ever be forgotten.) This is comparing the 70s Kong film to just the recent one. (The original 30s one was, of course, also set in what was then modern day.)
Peter Jackson wrote that one of the things he wanted to do differently as opposed to the original film was actually have Ann find love for Kong, while in the '33 film she is terrified of him from beginning to end, and we have every reason to think that when he dies at the end she feels nothing but joy and relief. Well, Pete, and anyone eles who thinks the 70s Kong is inferior the first one, that's another thing they, like you, did differently, was have the heroine come to love and emphisize with Kong and then be devistated when he dies at the end.
One thing I noticed watching the new King Kong film was the human natives were incredibly savage, as every bit as wild and as dangerous as the animals on the island. Funny how even in modern day a movie can be made depicting natives who happen to still live in the spear-carrying stage as vicious, blood-thirsty villainized brutes who we have no reason to feel anything for but hate and fear. That sort of movie would seem to me to be much more at home in the time the first Kong film came out in, but even the natives in that film weren't nealy as savage and violent as the ones in the Peter Jackson film, (in fact we even have reason to sympathize and be afraid for them when Kong attacks their village) and they certainly weren't nearly that savage in the 70s film.
Finally, when it comes to the Dino Delarentes version, many people complain about the fact that there are no dinosaurs. My thinking on this-and I suppose this was probably also the way the makers of the 70s Kong saw it-was that it was too ridiculous the idea that when dinosaurs went extinct everywhere ele on the planet hundreds of millions of years ago they somehow survived on this one little island.
Though I know many people will strongly disagree with me, in my own humble opinion this film itself is also a classic in it's own right, and deserves more respect than it is given
Movie Review: A Horribly Underrated Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I really don't understand the negative reputation that this film has. This was the main film version of King Kong that I remember as a kid, and it is absolutely fantastic! The original is great, of course, and the remake with Jack Black is also pretty good; however, the 1976 version boasts the best version of the story, great social commentary, and a very emotional and sympathetic Kong. This Kong is also a more realistic creation than the original stop-motion figure as well as the more recent CGI rendition-- the latter was pretty decent, for CGI, but Kong still looked animated throughout most of the film. The body suit itself in the 1976 version is not very convincing, and actor/designer Rick Baker's body movements are far from ape-like, but Kong's face and respective expressions are nothing less than wizardry, even by today's standards. I also feel that the bluescreen techniques are very effective as well, as Kong seems to be a true three-dimensional behemoth. As for the story itself, the premise is very intelligent, as Charles Grodin's character, a corporate businessman type, sails for the island with the intention of exploiting petroleum; instead, he encounters Kong and captures him with the intention of exploiting him as a promotional gimmick. The critique of big business is certainly innovative, not to mention compelling. Although a bit over-the-top, Grodin's acting is top-notch, and his performance is highly entertaining-- it is also very easy to hate his character, as he is the main villain in the film. Jeff Bridges is great as the professor who happens to encounter and join the voyage to Skull Island; his physical appearance prefaces the one he would later take up as "the Dude" in the Big Lebowski, which is worth a chuckle or two, but his sympathy for Kong seems very sincere. The same can be said for that of Jessica Lange at the end of the film; as Dwan, Kong's "love interest," her performance is very much lacking (she appears to be a bimbo during much of the film), but her feelings for Kong seem very real.
Ultimately, however, the major praise goes to Kong himself. His face is incredibly life-like, and Kong seems to be a very real creature. His expressions are very human, and he displays a wide array of emotions. Above all, the most important thing about the 1976 Kong is the way his character was written and directed. This is a noble and generally peaceful Kong, much like a real gorilla. As is the case with many animals, he generally does not attack unless threatened, provoked, or defending his loved ones (an example being his rescue of Dwan from the giant snake). What happens to him is really quite sad, from his kidnapping all the way to his destruction (yes, it is a very emotional and bloody affair). Kong is not the monster; he is the victim, and the audience genuinely feels for him (I certainly do). This was largely hinted at in the 1930's version, but if there were any doubts, this film makes it concrete.
There are, of course, a few drawbacks for King Kong 1976. Jessica Lange's acting is horrible in many scenes of the film. Kong's suit and body movements are not very convincing. Also, there is a distinct lack of animal life on Skull Island; the only creature Kong does battle with is a very phony-looking giant snake. A few dinosaurs certainly would have been a nice addition to the film, as well as a decent fight scene for Kong. Overall, however, these are only minor setbacks to an otherwise great film that should be considered a classic. In my opinion, it remains the definitive version of Kong.
Movie Review: King Kong Forever!
Summary: 5 Stars
Perhaps the most memorable movie of my childhood is this 1976 remake of "King Kong." Over the years, much has been said to discredit this underrated film, and those fans of the 1933 classic (including myself), have inevitably made comparisons. Peter Jackson's new Kong (2005) will no doubt go under similar scrutiny in years to come.
When I tell people that the 1976 version of "King Kong" makes my top ten list of all time favorite movies, there's generally a smirk of disapproval. Admittedly, there are flaws in the special effects by today's standards, but there's a magical quality to this production. Perhaps it's the engaging musical score of John Barry that lures viewers into the heart of this picture. And despite its intentional campy nature, this film has heart.
As I grow older, I still watch this film with a sense of fondness. Jessica Lange's performance has long been belittled by the press, but I cannot recall an actress that made more of an impression on me as I watched her as a 9-year-old boy. Her beauty still resonates on screen, and I appreciate the producer's insight in recognizing her as a true talent (as she would later demonstrate). To me, I'll still listen for Dwan's voice in all of Lange's characters. I saw glimpses of this childlike innocence in her performance in "Tootsie" a few years later, which she was awarded an academy award.
I find the rest of the cast equally good, particularly Grodin's performance as Fred Wilson. He's perfectly cast here, and fits in well with the campiness. Jeff Bridges gives a solid performance, and plays off Lange well. The real star of the picture, Kong himself, is not as ape-like as some would have hoped. He seems to have a human element to him, which I think is the point. We are saddened by Kong's death when he plummets from the World Trade Center, particularly because he is more human to us than animal. And notice Dwan's reaction at the end of the film when approached by Jack...not the typical happy-ending for a Hollywood film.
The overall production was lavish of course, making this remake one of the most expensive of its time. But I would like to echo the thoughts of some other reviewers here by stating that the 1976 remake of "King Kong" was not a commercial flop. In fact, the film did exceptionally well at the box office and was given some excellent reviews by some respected film critics.
Watch "King Kong" with an open mind and appreciate its campy nature. It's not merely a remake more than it is a retelling of a classic story. This movie took chances, and some of these chances work better than others. But it's not just a mimic, trying to recreate the past. It's fun at times, silly at others, but in the end, you will remember this film. For that reason, the 1976 remake will forever be a favorite of mine.
Movie Review: "My Favorite Kong Film"
Summary: 5 Stars
Many people would argue by saying this is a terrible film based on the "King Kong' franchise, but I have to say I have always enjoyed and loved this version. Maybe it's because it's one of the first films I saw when I was a little boy, but after viewing the film again on DVD the movie still holds up. The story is strong, the special effects are impeccable, and Paramount wasted no money on its 24 million dollar budget. I just believe many expected the film to be up to par with the Fay Wray original, but like many remakes this film has always struggled to gain acceptance among "King Kong" enthusiasts.
As many know the movie is about an ape that is taken from its habitat from a South Pacific island to New York City where all hell takes place when the giant ape breaks free. I always felt the movie really dramatizes how hard it is for someone, in this case an animal, to be taken away from its home, only to be placed in a strange part of the world with unfamiliar surroundings and people. This is something we all can relate to.
"King Kong" was also Jesscia Lange's first film role and she pulls it off remarkably. This version, contrary to popular belief, was a boxoffice smash raking over 80 million dollars in ticket sales. "Kong" also won an Oscar for Best Special Effects.
In 1978 NBC paid nearly 20 million dollars to broadcast "King Kong" on its network, the largest amount of money paid by a broadcaster for a theatrical film at that time.
The DVD comes in beautiful widescreen format and the movie is cleaned from the original print. The theatrical trailer is included along with english subtitles. The sound is dolby digital with french mono.