So I Was At the L.A. Premiere Of King Kong Last Night...

RINGLEADER · 12-08-2005, 12:15 PM

At the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios...After a bit of angst over ending up in seats that were far to one side my buddy and I managed to roll our way up into the balcony and got a first-row center seat so the view was great.

I'm not going to give any plot points away, I'll speak in generalities, but if you don't want to know anything about the movie best turn away at this point...

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King Kong is a good movie...I'd rank it a "B". It would be much better if Peter Jackson had only pared away 20-30 minutes of the set-up (it's more than an hour before the boat hits Skull Island) and not gone quite so wild on the action sequences. All of them go on way too long and in some cases begin to touch on the Lucas-prequel comic book level. The Bronto stampede (especially the end of the stampede) from the trailer and the spider-pit sequences are the best of them IMO but even they drag a bit.

For me things kind of unravel when Kong gets back to New York...there is an extended sequence that takes place between Kong and Ann Darrow that just puts the breaks on the movie and didn't illicit any of the emotions I know the filmmakers were going for. When you see the movie you'll know the sequence because it just comes out of left field and puts the breaks on any peril or sympathy you have for Kong up to that moment. At least that's the way the people I was with felt.

Jack Black and Naomi Watts are superb...as are the rest of the actors (although there is one line that Jack Black plays so wrong it was almost painful to watch). Visually, it's spectacular - especially the way Jackson managed to recreate Manhattan circa 1932.

All in all a fun flick, about an hour too long for the story they were telling and although there are some nit-picky things I'd recommend it. It's not going to do a lot of repeat business and I'd be surprised if it got it's $250 million budget back from domestic...but they're gonna sell a zillion DVDs.

siberian khatru · 12-08-2005, 12:18 PM

THE APE DIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**dirk digler** · 12-08-2005, 12:20 PM

Thanks Ringleader. I am anxious to see this movie.

**Rain Man** · 12-08-2005, 12:20 PM

You were at the premiere? Did you get King Kong's autograph?

**dirk digler** · 12-08-2005, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

THE APE DIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Siberian you ruined it for me...

I thought him and the woman had ape babies and lived happily ever after.

**Reaper16** · 12-08-2005, 12:27 PM

Amnorix · 12-08-2005, 12:34 PM

RL: Thanks for the summary. 3 hours seemed long to me, and you confirmed it, but I'm still going. Very eager to see it.

Reaper:

chagrin · 12-08-2005, 12:38 PM

Wow, I was worried there for a minute, I praying that they didn't install a new Kong bangs Blonde scene, you know - in the interest of being "provacative" and being "new age"

Amnorix · 12-08-2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chagrin

Wow, I was worried there for a minute, I praying that they didn't install a new Kong bangs Blonde scene, you know - in the interest of being "provacative" and being "new age"

Wrong movie. That's "King Dong", coming to a porn shop near you soon!

**Reaper16** · 12-08-2005, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

Wrong movie. That's "King Dong", coming to a porn shop near you soon!

I fully expect this to release within three months.

PunkinDrublic · 12-08-2005, 03:51 PM

Call me a film snob but I'm not blowing 8 bucks to see a remake. My rule of thumb is I don't watch movies that are remakes, have a rapper in the starring role or has a pro or ex wrestler in the starring role.

Not big requests.

Deberg_1990 · 12-08-2005, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RINGLEADER

It would be much better if Peter Jackson had only pared away 20-30 minutes of the set-up

Exactly my whole problem with this film. There is NO REASON this film, with its pulpy subject matter needs to be 3 hours long. Its as if Jackson felt he had to justify the 200 million + budget with extending the running time. Ill admit, i was never really a huge fan of his LoTR trilogy but i respected the films. He just goes overboard with too much CGI at times. I miss the old Dead Alive, Frighteners Peter Jackson before his ego got too big.

jynni · 12-08-2005, 04:33 PM

I'm in the "just don't get it crowd" - I think this movie looks horrible.

There's no way in hell I'd pay $8.50 to sit there for three hours and be manipulated into feeling sorry for a giant ape.

**Baby Lee** · 12-08-2005, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

Call me a film snob but I'm not blowing 8 bucks to see a remake. My rule of thumb is I don't watch movies that are remakes, have a rapper in the starring role or has a pro or ex wrestler in the starring role.

Not big requests.

I assume you skipped Star Wars ANH, as it was a remake of The Hidden Fortress.

**dirk digler** · 12-08-2005, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Exactly my whole problem with this film. There is NO REASON this film, with its pulpy subject matter needs to be 3 hours long. Its as if Jackson felt he had to justify the 200 million + budget with extending the running time. Ill admit, i was never really a huge fan of his LoTR trilogy but i respected the films. He just goes overboard with too much CGI at times. I miss the old Dead Alive, Frighteners Peter Jackson before his ego got too big.

Damn dude, do you like anything?

12-08-2005, 12:15 PM
RINGLEADER In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Confusion, USA Casino cash: $8600503	So I Was At the L.A. Premiere Of King Kong Last Night... At the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios...After a bit of angst over ending up in seats that were far to one side my buddy and I managed to roll our way up into the balcony and got a first-row center seat so the view was great. I'm not going to give any plot points away, I'll speak in generalities, but if you don't want to know anything about the movie best turn away at this point... 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 King Kong is a good movie...I'd rank it a "B". It would be much better if Peter Jackson had only pared away 20-30 minutes of the set-up (it's more than an hour before the boat hits Skull Island) and not gone quite so wild on the action sequences. All of them go on way too long and in some cases begin to touch on the Lucas-prequel comic book level. The Bronto stampede (especially the end of the stampede) from the trailer and the spider-pit sequences are the best of them IMO but even they drag a bit. For me things kind of unravel when Kong gets back to New York...there is an extended sequence that takes place between Kong and Ann Darrow that just puts the breaks on the movie and didn't illicit any of the emotions I know the filmmakers were going for. When you see the movie you'll know the sequence because it just comes out of left field and puts the breaks on any peril or sympathy you have for Kong up to that moment. At least that's the way the people I was with felt. Jack Black and Naomi Watts are superb...as are the rest of the actors (although there is one line that Jack Black plays so wrong it was almost painful to watch). Visually, it's spectacular - especially the way Jackson managed to recreate Manhattan circa 1932. All in all a fun flick, about an hour too long for the story they were telling and although there are some nit-picky things I'd recommend it. It's not going to do a lot of repeat business and I'd be surprised if it got it's $250 million budget back from domestic...but they're gonna sell a zillion DVDs.
Posts: 46,702

12-08-2005, 12:18 PM	#2
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2394950	THE APE DIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 69,251

12-08-2005, 12:20 PM	#3
dirk digler Please squeeze Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Clinton, MO Casino cash: $3134644	Thanks Ringleader. I am anxious to see this movie.
Posts: 66,354

12-08-2005, 12:20 PM	#4
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3168491 VARSITY	You were at the premiere? Did you get King Kong's autograph? __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,572

12-08-2005, 12:34 PM	#7
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	RL: Thanks for the summary. 3 hours seemed long to me, and you confirmed it, but I'm still going. Very eager to see it. Reaper: __________________ "I love signature blocks on the Internet. I get to put whatever the hell I want in quotes, pick a pretend author, and bang, it's like he really said it." George Washington
Posts: 43,125

12-08-2005, 12:38 PM	#8
chagrin Giggitty! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Missoula, Mt Casino cash: $9914905	Wow, I was worried there for a minute, I praying that they didn't install a new Kong bangs Blonde scene, you know - in the interest of being "provacative" and being "new age" __________________ Times have changed, so have I, things are better now.
Posts: 13,394

12-08-2005, 03:51 PM	#11
PunkinDrublic Stay down bitch! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $6340670	Call me a film snob but I'm not blowing 8 bucks to see a remake. My rule of thumb is I don't watch movies that are remakes, have a rapper in the starring role or has a pro or ex wrestler in the starring role. Not big requests. __________________ Disappointing my parents since 1976
Posts: 9,176

12-08-2005, 04:33 PM	#13
jynni Starter Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $2186331	I'm in the "just don't get it crowd" - I think this movie looks horrible. There's no way in hell I'd pay $8.50 to sit there for three hours and be manipulated into feeling sorry for a giant ape.
Posts: 884