King Kong (2005)

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Director: Peter Jackson

Writers: Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, based on a story by Merian C. Cooper & Edgar Wallace

Stars: Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Andy Serkis, Thomas Kretschmann, Colin Hanks, Evan Parke, Jamie Bell, Lobo Chan



This film looks great.



New York is a stylistic marvel, a montage of popular Depression-era impressions with its vintage cars, clothes, and art deco architecture, not to mention the bread lines, elevated trains, and streets bustling with desperate people.



 Skull Island is a steaming hell on earth with death lurking around every corner.

 


And Kong is a brilliantly realized CGI creation, even more emotive and realistic than Gollum of "Lord of the Rings," who was also performed by Andy Serkis. 



However, there's also some pretty sloppy CGI in a dinosaur stampede sequence in which the actors and the creatures don't seem to be inhabiting the same space.



The action is thrilling. 



The character development is deft and efficient although there are some secondary characters who receive more screen time than they should. 



Peter Jackson and his production team are at the top of their game. 



The cast (most notably Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, and Jack Black) is terrific.

































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