'King Kong' elicits plenty of emotion

"The whole world will pay to see this," exclaims filmmaker Carl Denham, having bagged a fearsome 25-foot gorilla that he plans to display on Broadway as the "Eighth Wonder of the World."

Hollywood can take Denham's words to heart. After a lackluster year at the box office, people will line up for Peter Jackson's $200 million remake of King Kong, confident that they'll get their money's worth.

Universal Pictures 'King Kong' A- The verdict: Super-sized adventure is a sensation, as well as a classic. Director: Peter Jackson Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Andy Serkis, Thomas Kretschmann Run time: 187 minutes Release date: Dec. 14, 2005 Rating: PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images. See showtimes On the set See finished frames and the work in progress in this "King Kong" slideshow. On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'King Kong'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

The thrilling action-adventure film is outstanding, if a bit self-indulgent. King Kong is easily one of the best movies of 2005, and true to Denham's wishes, it's sure to be huge at the box office.

Jackson, a three-time Academy Award winner for The Lord of the Rings, fulfills his lifelong dream to remake the 1933 classic that first inspired him to become a filmmaker. The producer-director fleshes out the premise — and then some — with his Rings screenwriting partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, transforming the original 100-minute movie into a three-hour-plus extravaganza.

King Kong cements Jackson's reputation as today's top spectacle master, as he expertly balances realistic storytelling with fantastic special effects.

Like the classic Universal horror films of the 1930s, Jackson's Kong makes you feel for its monster — a primitive creature undone by the modern world. The emotionally affecting film had the preview audience cheering its centerpiece battle between Kong and tyrannosaurs, and shedding tears at its tragic finale.

The only down side is that Jackson almost doesn't know when to quit. The film plays like one of his extended Lord of the Rings director's cuts, and it could have been tightened and trimmed.

Denham (Jack Black) is an obsessive 1930s adventure filmmaker who's about to have the plug pulled on his latest "safari picture." Grabbing his film reels and running, he hastily recruits a new leading lady — down-on-her luck vaudevillian Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) — and boards a tramp steamer bound for Singapore. His screenwriter, socially relevant playwright Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), also gets Shanghaied for the location shoot.

Unbeknownst to the ship's crew, Denham hopes to find and film a mysterious place of legend: Skull Island.

There, they discover a lost world that is home to terrifying prehistoric creatures, including Kong. The island natives worship the giant ape and appease it with sacrifice — in this case, Ann, whom they abduct from the ship.

Far from the simpleminded beast of the original, Kong is an intelligent creature who is capable of complex emotions. He is captivated by the blonde actress' beauty and comedic antics.

As rendered in computer-animation, based on a motion-capture performance by Andy Serkis, Kong is a true marvel. The fierce great ape is expressive, convincing and sympathetic.

The digital recreation of 1930s New York also is impressive.

Jackson devotes the film's first hour to deep characterization, after which he piles on action, suspense and thrills. The Skull Island section is highlighted by a heart-pounding dinosaur stampede, along with the aforementioned T. Rex battle. Jackson restores the original film's lost "Spider Pit" sequence, but goes over the top with tons of icky creatures and some unbelievable gunplay.

Many crew members suffer gruesome deaths, which may disturb very young viewers.

King Kong delivers a remarkable amount of humor, in addition to edge-of-your-seat excitement. But ultimately, the film is a tragic, moving romance. Its strongest moments are those between the sad beauty and her lonely beast.

Watts, an Oscar nominee for 21 Grams, gives a touching, heartfelt performance. Plus, her scream does Fay Wray proud.

Brody, an Oscar winner for The Pianist, is effective as Ann's intellectual love interest, and comic actor Black (School of Rock) acquits himself in a dramatic role based in part on original Kong producer Merian C. Cooper.

Jackson's King Kong is faithful to the original, down to the film's final line. Fans will note numerous allusions to the 1933 film, as well as a cheeky visual reference to Jackson's own Dead Alive.

King Kong lives up to Denham's — and Hollywood's — hype. The super-sized adventure will be a sensation, as well as a classic.

Inside AJC.COM

Free foreclosure search

Find a foreclosed home today with our database.

Get outside and play!

From hiking & biking to golf & tennis, just do it.

In the mood for a movie?

Movie previews, reviews and trailers to help you make your decision.

Travel deals

Book a bargain with our Budget Traveler's best bets & daily deals.

Ballot basics

Know before you go! Compare candidates, issues and see what's on your ballot.

Urban oasis

Traffic here might be horrendous but you still really can take a hike.

Let Fido play!

Find a dog park near you.

How to swim with sharks

Video:   Get in the big tank with the Georgia Aquarium's whale sharks.

Top nonprofits

See how much money Georgia's top charities bring in.