Kyle's Movie Guide: "King Kong"

Hey all. It is time again for my review of this weekend's campus film. If you have not seen any yet this semester, I highly recommend going just this once.

Peter Jackson's "King Kong" is an amazing movie. You will get your money's worth, as it is a lengthy 182 minutes, yet there is never a dull moment. Despite appearances, this film is not all about action and special effects, although the two are large reasons that make this film enjoyable. There is an unusual amount of exposition that legitimates the characters and makes them both real and believable.

In 'Kong,' Jack Black plays a sleazy Hollywood director whose producing company has had enough of his impractical idealism. Colin Hanks, yes the son of Tom Hanks, plays the nerdy assistant who does Black's bidding.

Naomi Watts, the damsel in distress, looks amazing in this movie. She plays a talented, vaudevillian performer who is forced to make career decisions when the small theatre she works for is closed due to the Depression.

The adventure begins when Black convinces Watts to come to an island to film his next movie. Adrien Brody plays a freelance scriptwriter who is, literally, kidnapped and is along for the ride.

Arriving at the island, nothing is normal, so why should its inhabitants be? After some close encounters with the natives, the beast is finally unveiled. Taking Watts as his prize, King Kong befriends the naïve, young actress. Leading a search party to find her, Black and his cronies attempt to subdue the beast and keep him for a profit. Then all chaos is unleashed.

One of the most amazing things about this movie, that separates it from the previous 'Kong' films, is the way that Jackson effectively establishes an effective and moving relationship between Kong and the leading lady. Some viewers will be moved to tears over the film's last 10 minutes.

Fans of 'Kong' will also love Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Andy Serkis played Gollum in the 'Rings' films by having hundreds of digital sensors attached to his body and face to create the creature on screen. He plays the character of Kong in the same fashion. Look out for Serkis, who also plays Lumpy the cook, in this film.