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| King Kong (2-Disc Widescreen Special Edition) |
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List Price: $30.98
Buy New: $17.90
You Save: $13.08 (42%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $13.17
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 782 reviews)
Sales Rank: 280
Category: DVD
Actors: Adrien Brody, Kyle Chandler
Director: Peter Jackson
Publisher: Universal
Studio: Universal
Manufacturer: Universal
Label: Universal
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Number Of Items: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 025192994524
EAN: 0025192994524
ASIN: B000E97Y6K
Release Date: March 28, 2006
Theatrical Release Date: December 14, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Movies don't come any bigger than Peter Jackson's King Kong, a three-hour remake of the 1933 classic that marries breathtaking visual prowess with a surprising emotional depth. Expanding on the original story of the blonde beauty and the beast who falls for her, Jackson creates a movie spectacle that matches his Lord of the Rings films and even at times evokes their fantasy world while celebrating the glory of '30s Hollywood. Naomi Watts stars as Ann Darrow, a vaudeville actress down on her luck in Depression-era New York until manic filmmaker Carl Denham (a game but miscast Jack Black) entices her with a lead role. Dazzled by the genius of screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), Ann boards the tramp steamer S.S. Venture, which she--and most of the wary crew--believes is headed for Singapore. Denham, however, is in search of the mythic Skull Island, hoping to capture its wonders on film and make a fortune. What he didn't count on were some scary natives who find that the comely Darrow looks like prime sacrifice material for a mysterious giant creature....
There's no point in rehashing the entire plot, as every movie aficionado is more than familiar with the trajectory of King Kong; the challenge facing Jackson, his screenwriters, and the phenomenal visual-effects team was to breathe new life into an old, familiar story. To that degree, they achieve what could be best called a qualified success. Though they've assembled a crackerjack supporting cast, including Thomas Kretschmann as the Venture's hard-bitten captain and young Jamie Bell as a plucky crewman, the first third of the movie is rather labored, with too much minute detail given over to sumptuous re-creations of '30s New York and the unexciting initial leg of the Venture's sea voyage. However, once the film finds its way to Skull Island (which bears more than a passing resemblance to LOTR's Mordor), Kong turns into a dazzling movie triumph, by turns terrifying and awe-inspiring. The choreography and execution of the action set pieces--including one involving Kong and a trio of Tyrannosaurus Rexes, as well as another that could be charitably described as a bug-phobic's nightmare--is nothing short of landmark filmmaking, and a certain Mr. Spielberg should watch his back, as Kong trumps most anything that has come before it.
Despite the visual challenges of King Kong, the movie's most difficult hurdle is the budding romance between Ann and her simian soulmate. Happily, this is where Jackson unqualifiedly triumphs, as this unorthodox love story is tenderly and humorously drawn, by turns sympathetic and wondrous. Watts, whose accessibility balances out her almost otherworldly loveliness, works wonders with mere glances, and Andy Serkis, who digitally embodies Kong here much as he did Gollum in the LOTR films, breathes vibrant life into the giant star of the film without ever overplaying any emotions. The final, tragic act of the film, set mostly atop the Empire State Building, is where Kong earns its place in movie history as a work that celebrates both the technical and emotional heights that film can reach. --Mark Englehart
Description
Experience King Kong as never before in this exclusive 2-Disc Special Edition! See the larger-than-life film, plus, watch three-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson take you behind the scenes of this epic adventure. Thrilling, in-depth featurettes reveal the genius behind the creation of this timeless story.
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Customer Reviews: Read 777 more reviews...
 Extra! Read All About It: "Big Ape KO'd by Big Apple" July 6, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
We all know the story - big ape is KO'd by big apple. But Hollywood can do special effects - that's one of its few strengths - so every generation of film makers needs a chance to show off their updated software skills. Hence, King Kong 2005 is a natural, super-sized with all the special effects that were a real challenge to make credible in the earlier versions. And this new one has been PETA-sized, with an added component: not only can a giant dark ape fall in love with a beautiful blond white woman, but a beautiful blond white woman can fall in love with a giant dark ape. A marriage made in - well, Skull Island. Hence, the underlying imperialist theme is dulled a little (but only a little), and we're left with a 3-hour homage to achronological monsters, animal rights, and the true nature of love. Standing over the defeated Kong's limp, crushed body just toppled from the great monument to civilization, Jack Black (stupidly) concludes: beauty killed the beast. So you have nothing to fear from this film.
King Kong July 5, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
You may find it boring at the beginning. However, you will be deeply moved at the end.
One enjoyably entertaining remake with some plot holes July 5, 2006
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Some movies have implausible plots that can often be overlooked,but when they get too far fetched,they spoil the whole movie.KING KONG has these which reduce the overall continuity of the film.
In comparison with the classic 1933 version,this remake undoubtedly excels in almost every aspect of movie making.Yet it has some distinct plot holes :
1. The tribal native vaulting from pole to pole over a series of broken headlands in a bad weather at night,kidnapping the lead actress from the ship and carrying her back to the land.
Seeing that the poles are stuck to the sea bed,it is hard to believe that a pole can be THAT long.
The 1933 version has the natives use a boat and jump onto the ship to kidnap the lead actress. This is plausible.
2. The surviving expedition crew hauling the drugged Kong up onto the ship.
With only few survivors left alive and without any possible aid from the hostile natives,how do they do that ?
In the 1933 version,Kong is said to be brought to the ship on a makeshift raft and besides,there are also the natives who might have given help.Quite convincing.
3. Kong being chained and exhibited in the concert hall.
The building must have been built before Kong is brought back to New York.So,how do the people get Kong inside it ? How HUGE can the hall entrance be considering the location of the hall in the city center ?
There is not any depiction of any rear or special entrance from where Kong is brought in. The 1933 version has it. Clever.
Were this the 1933 version,I would compromise.But being a 2005 remake,these should have been made more convincing.
That said,the 2005 version has proven that not all remakes are worse than the original.KING KONG will become a FUTURE classic just as the 1933 version has.
A Remarkable Remake July 4, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
What is it about a remake that creates such skepticism within everyone? Perhaps the most common argument heard every time a film is re-made: "Why redo something that was perfect the first time?" It's a question often posed when a new band covers a classic song. The only real answer to the question is one that certainly applies to Peter Jackson's King Kong. It's a way to honor a classic film and introduce it to a whole new generation.
Outlining the well-known plot of King Kong may be a futile practice, but please indulge me. Hoping for a great film and willing to do anything to make it, filmmaker Carl Denham (Black) sets sail on a small ship to Skull Island with his newly recruited actress, Ann Darrow (Watts). On the ship, Ann falls for the scriptwriter and author, Jack Driscoll (Brody). After reaching the Island, Denham finds it more dangerous than he had expected and has his actress kidnapped by the native people for sacrifice to Kong. While searching for Ann and after losing his film (along with a few of his shipmates) Denham decides he can still profit from this expedition by capturing Kong and bringing him back to New York.
The first hour of the film is slow to say the least. Black's performance is drenched in melodrama in a successful attempt to reflect the 1933 film. But the hour of this in New York runs much longer than it should. When the film finally makes it on to the ship, it drags again to allow for the relationship between Darrow and Driscoll to form and grow. By the time we first see Kong, we felt like we've already watched an entire film and when considering the time that has elapsed that's not too difficult to imagine.
As far as acting goes, this film was not challenging for the actors, but the performance was demanding. It's hard to imagine the giant inhabitants of Skull Island not being there as you see the reactions on the faces of the actors. It's easy to forget that these monsters are added in later by a computer. That is accredited to performance. I doubt that Naomi Watts ever thought she'd have to juggle in front of a giant ape or that Adrien Brody knew he would have to fight a monkey for the love of a woman. The interactions between the ape and the humans must be appreciated.
Not surprisingly, the most interesting character to watch is Kong himself. His countenance alone runs parallel to the genres illustrated by the film. The anger of his face emphasizes the passion present in the fight scenes and supports the action significantly. The soft, human expression he displays when looking upon Darrow underlines the admiration he feels and the love story, which may be the strongest theme of the film. Our view of Kong changes throughout the film, and it's a skillful device on Jackson's part.
Though the love story is strong, the action does not suffer. Don't be fooled, this film is a lot of fun to watch. It's easy to get taken in by the scene where Kong battles three Tyrannosaurus Rexes. Jackson has invested a lot of time in making sure every aspect of the film is just right, and he did not hold back on the action.
As for the criticism this and other remakes have endured, I fail to see the harm in it. Peter Jackson was a fan of the original King Kong ever since he first saw it as a child. His film pays homage to the classic and that's apparent through small elements, not to mention the fact that he chose to set the film in the same time period as the original instead of making a modern update, as the worst of remakes choose to do.
I noticed that many DVD stores started repackaging the original and putting it on display cases, as is the common routine when a remake comes out. After this new King Kong perhaps some people will check out the original, which is the greatest purpose for any remake. Not all of us were around in 1933 to see the mighty Kong on the screen for the first time, and we need a reminder of what made it so magical in the first place. The question here should not be "why remake King Kong?" Rather we should wonder if, after Lord of the Rings and the running time of King Kong at 187 minutes, is Peter Jackson capable of making a movie less than three hours long?
 Best I've Seen in Years July 4, 2006
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The graphics are beautiful; the action intense. The bond between Kong and the woman is heart-wrenching and palpable. The introduction of the crew to the natives on Skull Island is frightful and foreboding.
The addition of dinosaurs, gigantic bugs and other creatures is like icing to the cake.
Some people complain about the movie's length. Yes, it is long, but I didn't noticed until it was over, and I realized how much time had gone by. I was never bored, not even for a moment.
One thing has always peeked my curiosity about all the Kong movies. If Kong could easily climb the Empire State building, why couldn't he scale the wall built by the natives on Skull Island?
Don't cheat yourself by watching a full screen version. Watch the widescreen or you'll miss half of this excellent movie.
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Copyright Runningonkarma.com 2006
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