King Kong

Starring Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Colin Hanks

Rated PG-13

            “King Kong” lands with such a tremendous roar onto screens that it makes one wonder whether audiences will appreciate the film for its dazzling special effects or its love story. There’s no doubt that Kong’s tussles with a hoard of dinosaurs is astounding in every way, and the climax on top of the Empire State Building is one of the best ending sequences in any movie yet. But what makes “King Kong” stand apart from other special-effects driven films – including “Kong” director Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” series – is the relationship between the ape and Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts), and for such a strange pairing, the love story is very sweet and believeable.

            The story opens in 1930’s New York City, where film director Carl Denham (Jack Black) is desperate to finish his most recent picture, which is overwhelmingly over budget. He must find a leading lady on the spot for the film because he is sailing off in a hurry for Skull Island (an ‘undiscovered’ island with filming location potential.) In comes Ann, a wannabe actress whom Carl immediately loves, and persuades her to head to the island with the promise of meeting Hollywood screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody.)

            Once on the ship, Ann and Jack begin somewhat of a love affair, while Carl desperately tries to shoot his picture. Once arriving to Skull Island, however, the shipmates are literally beaten by the island natives, and Ann is taken as a captive. While Jack and the others plan a rescue mission, Ann is befriended by the ape of the island, the massive Kong himself. After humorous scenes of her putting on acts for him, Kong takes on the job as Ann’s protector, fighting off dinosaurs and other strange island creatures who want to eat her. After several run-ins with enormous animals themselves, Carl and his gang scrap the idea of a motion picture and instead scheme to capture Kong and put him on Broadway.

            The ending is a classic tale, and although everyone in the audience knows what will happen, many will not expect the final scenes to be so emotional. Jackson has created another three-hour epic that bewilders the mind in its effects. But this time, Jackson’s film has something more going for it – a solid romance. The “Lord of the Rings” films, no matter how impressive they are, do not serve as Shakespearian tragedies. “King Kong” touches the heart and more.

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