Out on DVD - King Kong

King Kong(2005) is the Peter Jackson remake of the classic with the same name. The film retells the story of a troupe set out to capture a prehistoric monster. But in this film, different from the original, a selfish movie producer wants the ape for his movie. On their journey with his film crew and shipmates, they encounter a prehistoric island full of predators and monsters who end up nearly destroying their whole band of them. But the one constant is the beautiful blond woman, Naomi Watts.

Jack Black surprisingly plays the cold, selfish looking-for-stardom at any cost producer/director. He seems a bit crazed, risking the lives of so many others just to get good footage. Adrian Brody plays the writer of the film, who falls in love with the beautiful blond. And the blond is played by Naomi Watts who is a comedian/actress trying to make it to the big time without having to sell her soul. But on the island, the ape falls in love with her after a harrowing capture. And so different from the previous film in the 1920's, the ape falls in love with her because she is funny and they understand each other without having to say a word.
Intrinsic to Peter Jackson, he uses his shots and actors' emotions to tell the story rather than words. The dialogue gives the people something to say to each other during the moments of high intensity but the parts to pay attention to are the ones with no dialogue. Half the movie is the Watts and the ape not speaking to each other except through their eyes. It is beautiful to watch this actress play a role she was destined for. It's a role that requires patience and storytelling in each eye movement. She does a great job.

But this movie isn't just about the internal story. What makes it moving, the acting and the storyline, is far different from what makes it exciting and intense. The special effects are amazing and the setting is astounding. On the island, the ape is literally larger than life. And it feels that way too. The special effects team and Jackson captured the girth of the ape by showing him wide screen with Watts in the shot. The ape conducted himself like a primate and compared to the small blond on the screen, we could see just how big and intense he was. Then there were all the other lifeforms on the island that were absolutely fantastic to watch. The case scenes are some of he best in history and the production team can be proud of the spectacular look of the island.

The reveal of the ape in New York City is just as classic as the original one. King Kong on the empire state building and the emotions that surround him and Watts are fantastic. Naomi Watts soars in this story and you can never forget her tear-filled cries at the top of the building. This is a love story first and foremost but Jackson makes this a thriller that no one could forget.