King Kong

I think the critics just said they like it so much so that the box office #'s would be better for the year.
 
ArkhamFilms said:
You're nitpicking over small plausibility points in a movie which is about a 25 ft gorilla falling in love with a 5'5 blonde.

M'kay.

-CJ
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It's presented as a real-world "what if?" -- so the world has to be real. You accept the 25-foot ape because that's the premise. But the existence of a 25-foot ape doesn't keep Ann Darrow warm in weather cold enough to produce ice which supports a 3000-pound animal. A fantastic premise isn't license to do whatever, wherever.
 
Did anyone like this movie?

I haven't seen it yet, but they said this would be the greatest movie ever, critics all mostly loved it....and then I get on here, and like no one has anything good to say about it (except kong looks nice).

geez
 
I loved it! As filmmakers we of course go after it but I applaud PJ on this one. Very inspiring and truly fun cinema. One for the ages.
 
David Jimerson said:
It's presented as a real-world "what if?" -- so the world has to be real. You accept the 25-foot ape because that's the premise. But the existence of a 25-foot ape doesn't keep Ann Darrow warm in weather cold enough to produce ice which supports a 3000-pound animal. A fantastic premise isn't license to do whatever, wherever.
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I agree with you that because it is a fantastic premise, Kong can't suddenly start to fly around with newly sprouted wings.

But it is a fantastic adventure film, and while it has a few things in common with our "real-world", the fact of the matter is that 99.9% of the film is completely implausible. There's an island that time/reality/gravity/physics/biology forgot? The ship survived the rocks? The force of Kong running around with Ann in his hands, didn't snap her back? They had enough clorophorm to keep Kong knocked out, while they sailed, and were somehow able to keep him alive (food, drink, etc)? And so on, and so on. I don't think anyone disagrees that the film is fantastic, but why does one accept some things, and not others? It's interesting.

A friend of mine could accept all of the Matrix, except for when Trinity jumps across the rooftop, diving into the next buiding's small window. It's like scoffing at Indiana Jones for the sneaking onto a submarine scene, yet accepting the ending. Or scoffing at Star Wars for there being sound in space.

Yet, with Kong, I think most people are able to sit back and just enjoy it without letting the small bends of reality ruin it for them. Of course it isn't realistic, that's why we went to see it.

For a critique, plausibility seems a foolish one in regards to King Kong, or most adventure films. Discussing which scenes didn't serve the story and could have been trimmed, seems more relevant, for picking the film apart.

Just my 2 cents.

-CJ
 
ArkhamFilms said:
There's an island that time/reality/gravity/physics/biology forgot?
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This, I don't quibble with, because it's the premise of the story.

The ship survived the rocks? The force of Kong running around with Ann in his hands, didn't snap her back?
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More good points. She should have at least been smudged . . .

They had enough clorophorm to keep Kong knocked out, while they sailed, and were somehow able to keep him alive (food, drink, etc)? And so on, and so on. I don't think anyone disagrees that the film is fantastic, but why does one accept some things, and not others? It's interesting.

A friend of mine could accept all of the Matrix, except for when Trinity jumps across the rooftop, diving into the next buiding's small window. It's like scoffing at Indiana Jones for the sneaking onto a submarine scene, yet accepting the ending. Or scoffing at Star Wars for there being sound in space.

Yet, with Kong, I think most people are able to sit back and just enjoy it without letting the small bends of reality ruin it for them. Of course it isn't realistic, that's why we went to see it.

For a critique, plausibility seems a foolish one in regards to King Kong, or most adventure films. Discussing which scenes didn't serve the story and could have been trimmed, seems more relevant, for picking the film apart.

Just my 2 cents.

-CJ
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I know what your'e sarying.

But a huge fantastic premise is easier to accept than a lot of little, easily-fixed errors. If you want to keep disbelief suspended, don't screw up the little stuff.

More than that, it's little stuff I don't expect from a guy with the reputation of Jackson. The bar was pretty high, so he doesn't get the slack.
 
I love the theater. It's the reason I make films. Sitting at home is BS compared to getting the theater experience. Just use the "Hans System of Solitude"

Go to a great movie about a week before it leaves theaters. this is how i've seen every film in the last 5 years, and everytime i get a theater to myself.

As far as Kong goes... It'll be a while before i catch it, just out of spite. If i hear one more celebrity gush about it being PJ's inspiration to make films again, i'm gonna key their car. It was also hyped way out of control.
 
possible spoiler... but i dont think so...


I fell in love with the original 1933 Kong when I saw the scene with Kong demolishing the incoming train. something about that scene grabbed me. It was magic for me.
I was just a little dissapointed that it wasn't in this one. But there was only the scene where he sweeps by under the train bridge. Possibly, Kong wasn't tall enough to cause such devastation. but the sweeping shot over the train was probably an homage.
the only scene that was close to that nostalgic feel was when he toyed with the trolly.
 
I'm in agreeance with David

One thing that must reamain true to heart in cinema is the suspension. I need plausible worlds. I can accept the ape running around but wonder how Ann's neck was'nt snapped during all this. I wonder how the browning was pin point in accuracy, I wonder how the ship was not torn to hell on the rocks, I wonder how she was running aournd without freezing (literally) to death in a sheer night gown in snow covered XMAS New York and on and on.

I loved it; I am so stoked on this film. Truly inpsiring and just wonderful cinema. But my 4 of 5 (although a high rating) is missing that final point due to scenes of comeplete impossibilties.
 
man no one seems the talk about how dinosaurs still exsist. thats the most improbably thing. also maybe king kong was a gentle ape...... to the ladies :)
 
Did anyone else almost feel pity for the last V-Rex when it was whining and crying in the hands of Kong trying to get out, realizing its mistake? I mean, the outcome was SO brutal, balancing on the edge of PG-13... I almost wanted to turn away not to watch. Of course, all three got what they asked for, shouldn't have messed with the king in the first place.
 
I liked how Andy Serkis was also IN the movie, and he did such an amazing job, not making facail expressions and vocal expressions that remind me of Golum. It takes a great actor, who is known mainly for his voice, to give a performance that doesnt remind us of other or prevoius characters. He had a great death scene though.
It seems that everyone is picking at all the small things in the movie. We all seem to be filmmakers here and of course we are going to analyze everythng to death, because we do this stuff ourselves; its what we do. We know every movie isnt going to be perfect, there are no perfect actors, and theres so many that there could easily be someone else to play the part, but thats who PJ chose. Its his film, everyone's going to have their opinion. Im sure when some of you get your movies into theaters someday, there are going to be many things about your film that we all could nitpick on and discuss to death and say how they could be better, since no one is perfect, but we all do the best we can. My point is just that some of this seems that we get stressed over nitpicking this thing to death, when, its just a movie, and movies are only here, or should be only here, to entertain. Thats why its the entertainment business. Im not a huge fan of studio films and all digital films, and I know I wont ever make a film as CG as Kong, but that doesnt mean its not enjoyable. I loved it, because it was a movie. Yeah, theres little things like "that could never happen!", but is life really coming to an end if all movies arent perfect? Just enjoy movies, and f you dont like something, then go make it yourself. I applaud PJ for doing what he loves to do and staying passionate about it. He made the film his way, its his film, I would have made it differently, yes, but he did a great job making HIS dream.
 
I really, really enjoyed the film....yet overall, I sort of agree with David & Sirus.

When Kong was shaking Ann up and down in his fist, it looked so violent I thought her neck would snap (or she'd at least suffer a concussion). But nope, nothing of the sort.

Then there was the cold factor... Ann was jogging around Manhattan on an arctic day in a slinky low-cut evening dress. Then she was dragged atop the Empire State Building (which is almost always freezing cold) and spent the night there with nary a complaint! And then at the end, she was walking around on the top in her high heels.

I know, I know. . . we must accept the story as a fable and suspend disbelief. But it seems incoherent to digitally recreate 1930s New York down to the smallest detail, but conveniently ignore such facts as weather.

Okay...now I feel like a cinematic Scrooge. Bah, Humbug! :shocked:
 
We don't have to worship it just because it's Jackson. In fact, the work of a guy who has such an impressive collection of statues and who is hailed as a cinematic deity gets far less of a pass, I think.
 
You know David, on the contrary, I understand what you are saying, but I happen to believe that Kong is better than his previous works (sans Dead Alive--too much of a classic). The thing about this movie is that it is such a spectacle. As I was leaving the theater a guy, roughly 50, stood up and proclaimed, that this was the best movie he's seen in the theaters in 15 years, "they don't make 'em like that anymore".

Now don't get me wrong, I like the LotR movies, but I was blown away by King Kong. I'm going to take the in-laws to it over the weekend to kick off the holidays and I'll be able to gather my thoughts more fully.

Aside from a few "cheesy" effects, and the generic score (biggest letdown for me), this has been the best "big" movie I have seen in theaters in many many years. Last time I remember feeling that way was with Jurassic Park--that "WOW" feeling. Now, that's not taking into account Shawshank, Schindler's List, and Saving Private Ryan--those I love for the drama and realism. Jackson was spot-on when he said that this movie is pure escapism.

For the record on the length: My wife who can't even sit through a two-hour movie, didn't even blink the entire 3 hours.

I think we movie "buffs" ;) view the film a little different than Joe Schmoe. I really do hope this movie surpasses Titanic (not that I don't like Titanic, but Kong is superior)--that will, in turn, convince Cameron to get off his ass and quit with the documentary shite.

Go SEE King Kong, you will be happy that you did.
 
With regard to the cold weather, someone made a salient point: Kong was shot in a cozy, climate-controlled studio.

If they'd been shooting at some wintry location, and Naomi Watts was actually running through REAL snow in her skimpy evening gown, she would've been expressing discomfort. She would've been shivering her ass off!

I'm reminded of Luke Skywalker almost freezing to death in The Empire Strikes Back--shot on location in Norway. Even the Titanic set boasted some ice-cold water--when Dicaprio and Winslet are trudging through the lower deck hallway, their discomfort is apparent.

For some reason, I can accept dinosaurs and 25-foot tall gorillas more readily . . . than a woman who isn't SLIGHTLY fazed by blasts of arctic cold. :evil:
 
i loved it. i took my friend with me, and i was speechless after the movie. amazing. i agree with some of the comments about the green-screening, but i dont care. it was amazing. the relationship between the ape and ann was amazing.

i cried several times. not like bawling, like manly crying.

if you haven't seen it, go see it. i have nothing bad to say about it besides some of the special effects.
 
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