Kong is still King

Good God, what a movie.

King Kong achieves a level of myth that not even Jackson's Lord of the Rings can match. Watching Kong climb the Empire State Building and then go after planes is elemental, like cinema stripped down to its most core potential. The scene is momentus, following three hours of other great scenes.

I don't want to dwell on the special effects. They are of course better than in 1933. But one of the joys of the 33 production is how effective the effects actually are. What I will say is that they are used to assist the story. It is thanks to the special effects that we understand Kong is old and Kong is lonely. And New York has never looked as good as it does in this film.

What sets this film apart from--and truthfully, above--the 1933 classic is the story itself. The characters are well-flushed out. There is a range of emotions simply not present before. I feared that Jackson would end up with a Kong like Van Sant's Psycho; ie, pointless. Instead, Kong has been revamped not just for revenue but for relevancy. This film hits home in many ways, and it is a wonder to behold. It is funny at times, exciting and exhilarting during its break-neck action scenes, but ultimately tender, gentle, and not just a little sad.

You must see this film in the theater. Don't cheat yourself by waiting for the DVD. Kong is what movie theaters are made for.