I've just seen it and have to say, really enjoyed it. It is filmed in such a way as to make it look less like a modern production where even in fantasy things are made to look so realistic that it kind of defeats the purpose of being fantasy - it was very classic cinematic rather then avant garde cinematic that we are used to now and where every scene of action is looked at so carefully to see how it's done. The way they somewhat bypassed the watching action for the sake of action appealed to me, because they always smoothed over it, as impressive as it was, to go back to the storyline and focus on the actors/tresses and Kong. It was very much like an updated version on the 1970's one which I liked a lot too but missed something because the actress seemed over dramatic in it and Jeff Bridges was annoying (
). Here with all the cost and effects there seemed to be a sense of subtlety and character imo. Whereas the 70's version focused on how humans can act like they're more sophisticated then animals (and are technologically) but they can certainly behave like what they perceive as them and be very tacky in their greed for things - here, that was left more as an obvious or interpretative factor I think because there wasn't the highlighted sense of waste of life (human and Kong's) and betrayal of nature for the sake of greed, it showed you that but didn't comment on it - the concentration seemed definitely more on friendship and kindess between beauty and the beast and the man dedicated to find her but seemed to respect her bond with Kong or acknowledge it even if he didn't understand it at first (don't like that actor btw).
The last line was I think a betrayal to that and probably clever to highlight the ability of Carl's character to pass the blame when he says 'It was beauty that killed the beast' - nope, beauty befriended the beast, it was you and the senseless that killed him. (If it really was a him.)
But anyway, I really liked it and am glad it wasn't emptily blockbusterised like many stories are. I also appreciated the comparison with 'The Heart of Darkness' read by two of the characters in it.
8/10 - good but didn't speculate on other themes for the benefit of the audience, but nonetheless cleverly highlighted elements like the portrayal of the tribal people and Carl's arrogance at offering and shoving chocolate at them. Kong itself was very nicely done in look, silverback, character and expression and the scenes with Anne were very well interwoven and 'believable'.
P.S It wasn't demeaned by an over use of love scenes, there was one kissing scene and that was enough, the story was fine without it and it didn't feel like 3.5 hours, which is good eh.
)..but is it REALLY better than LOTR? ROTK is one of my choices for best movies of all time.
