Sentimental Kong

So here I am on the Gold Coast for a couple of weeks looking after my mother, and having something of a vacation. I have heard good things about Peter Jackson’s new film, King Kong, so after the gym tonight I took myself off to see it. Given I am a visual effects kind of guy, I figured I would enjoy it.

I have to say, I was really surprised. And pleasantly so. Its a really good film. Now don’t get me wrong, its still a film about a giant gorilla living on a island with dinosaurs who is captured and taken to New York. Its fantasy, action/adventure and its intended to be entertaining. Its not meant to be deep. Its not "The Ice Storm. What is surprising about it however, is that it is really tender.

Now, truth be told, I am a bit of a romantic at heart. I know that is shocking, but its the truth. And there are a few scenes in this movie that really moved me. The relationship between Kong and Anne Darrow is well played and artfully set up. Kong is not overly anthropomorphized, but his motivations are clear and convincing.

What that means, is that Adrian Brody actually plays second fiddle as leading man to the great ape. It also means that Jackson has done a fantastic job of telling a complex story without overuse of dialogue – and that’s no mean feat.

The execution of the film is pretty much flawless, all of the cast do great jobs and the visual effects do not swamp the story. Some of the situations the heroes get themselves into and out of are a little ridiculous at times, but in the name of fun its forgivable. Although the captians fortuitous arrival twice is stretching things a little.

Where the film really shines is in the silent moments between Ann (Naomi Watts) and Kong. The look of  love that passes between them is the sort of  thing that we all wish for, and it has been superbly captured on screen.

At just over three hours the film is a little long, but personally I didnt get restless. The characters were all set up well so we were able to relate to all of them. Given the success of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, I am starting to wonder if audiences are beginning to look for longer and deeper engagement with characters on screen. Perhaps the two hour limit isnt the rule any more.

This is an excellent film. Well worth seeing on the big screen.