wusmmik
12-19-2005, 09:56 PM
King Kong dir. and cowr. Peter Jackson; Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Jamie Bell, Thomas Kretschmann and Andy Serkis
I have to keep this one brief, because I don't want to deprive anyone of the sheer joy of this masterful movie. But, there must be something in the water in Down Under, because with this one Peter Jackson officially moves to the head of the class of today's filmmakers.
While most of you know the story, have enjoyed the '33 original (or endured the Dino De Laurentiis remake)-wipe that slate as clean as possible before walking into the Grand to see this masterpiece. That's right, I'm calling it a masterpiece. This movie has reverberated in my brain for the last 24 hours, working and reworking itself into every other waking thought. It's simultaneously beautiful and frightening, visceral and dreamlike, and most importantly a special effects movie that oozes humanity.
Peter Jackson directs this one like his life is depending on it. Every actor is pitch-perfect; Naomi Watts is amazing, she is the heart and soul of this film, luminously moving from scene to scene making everything intensely believeable. Andy Serkis appears in two roles and seriously deserves some kind of special award because he makes Kong burst from the screen. Now, I'm a huge fan of Jack Black-but even I was skeptical of his presence here..until you see him, he plays Carl Denham to perfection filling the exposition with light humor and, to borrow a phrase I read in Entertainment Weekly "barely concealed mania" later on. Black's dramatic performance is brilliant, he reveals Denham's megalomaniac control, his overwhelming passion for film and in the end a chilling ruthlessness. Adrien Brody, recovers nicely from the horrible post-Oscar film choices he's made to step up and shine like a matinee idol of the 30's..the supporting cast is wonderful, Colin Hanks as the nebbish assistant hits all the right notes, Jamie Bell ("Billy Elliot") as the scruffy stowaway and Thomas Kretschmann wows as the ship's captain.
But the film belongs to Jackson. These are his actors and he tunes and tweaks them to utter perfection. This movie is the dream of his life, and he lets it live and breathe thanks to a witty and quick script, the aforementioned actors and the unbelieveable work of the wizards of WETA. The editing and cinematography are choreographed to make this mix of the real and unreal blossom and grow. The score by James Newton Howard provides Jackson's classic narrative structure with a perfect counterpoint, rising and falling with the action and echoing the Steiner score from '33.
I know, it cost $200 million dollars...but it's worth every penny. This film is truly magic and you must see it on the big screen to really immerse yourself in this world.
Author's Note: I actually saw this with a horrible crowd, surrounded by people talking and grazing loudly on popcorn here, two kids making out here, a baby crying in front and still was completely enthralled.
I have to keep this one brief, because I don't want to deprive anyone of the sheer joy of this masterful movie. But, there must be something in the water in Down Under, because with this one Peter Jackson officially moves to the head of the class of today's filmmakers.
While most of you know the story, have enjoyed the '33 original (or endured the Dino De Laurentiis remake)-wipe that slate as clean as possible before walking into the Grand to see this masterpiece. That's right, I'm calling it a masterpiece. This movie has reverberated in my brain for the last 24 hours, working and reworking itself into every other waking thought. It's simultaneously beautiful and frightening, visceral and dreamlike, and most importantly a special effects movie that oozes humanity.
Peter Jackson directs this one like his life is depending on it. Every actor is pitch-perfect; Naomi Watts is amazing, she is the heart and soul of this film, luminously moving from scene to scene making everything intensely believeable. Andy Serkis appears in two roles and seriously deserves some kind of special award because he makes Kong burst from the screen. Now, I'm a huge fan of Jack Black-but even I was skeptical of his presence here..until you see him, he plays Carl Denham to perfection filling the exposition with light humor and, to borrow a phrase I read in Entertainment Weekly "barely concealed mania" later on. Black's dramatic performance is brilliant, he reveals Denham's megalomaniac control, his overwhelming passion for film and in the end a chilling ruthlessness. Adrien Brody, recovers nicely from the horrible post-Oscar film choices he's made to step up and shine like a matinee idol of the 30's..the supporting cast is wonderful, Colin Hanks as the nebbish assistant hits all the right notes, Jamie Bell ("Billy Elliot") as the scruffy stowaway and Thomas Kretschmann wows as the ship's captain.
But the film belongs to Jackson. These are his actors and he tunes and tweaks them to utter perfection. This movie is the dream of his life, and he lets it live and breathe thanks to a witty and quick script, the aforementioned actors and the unbelieveable work of the wizards of WETA. The editing and cinematography are choreographed to make this mix of the real and unreal blossom and grow. The score by James Newton Howard provides Jackson's classic narrative structure with a perfect counterpoint, rising and falling with the action and echoing the Steiner score from '33.
I know, it cost $200 million dollars...but it's worth every penny. This film is truly magic and you must see it on the big screen to really immerse yourself in this world.
Author's Note: I actually saw this with a horrible crowd, surrounded by people talking and grazing loudly on popcorn here, two kids making out here, a baby crying in front and still was completely enthralled.