Writer/Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Naomi Watts, Kyle Chandler and Jack Black
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as powerful as Adrien Brody. Ever since his rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Brody has made memorable movies. Whether it’s Jewish Holocaust survivors, troubled villagers or hotel managers, Brody has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Brody’s finest strength as an actor is strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always poured his heart and soul into each role. Brody has never been afraid taking risks in his career by playing complex characters which are not always likeable. Through his ability to portray humane characters that are easy to relate to, Brody has been a great actor which audiences value. Despite the fact that he has only made a few films in his career, Brody has created an enduring legacy. Throughout his commemoratd career, Brody has made several unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Brody and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “King Kong” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2005, Peter Jackson’s film has stood the test of time as a monster classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best monster movies ever made. At centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Adrien Brody, who embodies a heroic survivor which seeks to prevent an ape from causing a tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “King Kong” a disaster classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most monster movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about animal cruelty that resonates with everyone. A stunning masterpiece about an ape that’s frightening, there are countless reasons why “King Kong” is a commemorated movie worth seeing.
Set in 1930’s New York, “King Kong” tells the story of an actress which falls in love with an ape causing tragedy. Naomi Watts portrays Ann Darrow, a famous actress with a flair for playing emotional women in her career. Ann has always hoped to star in a big-budget film achieving popularity. Ann’s dreams come true when she is given the chances to star in a film by famous screenwriter Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody). Assisted by ambitious Hollywood film producer Carl Denham (Jack Black), Ann goes on a journey to film her movie in a mysterious island. However, Ann’s dreams to become an actress are destroyed when her team faces a dangerous ape that causes disaster. Known as Kong, the ape seeks to cause catastrophe in New York City. As she begins to fall madly in love with the ape creature, Ann soon begins to wonder about her future. Faced with adversity, Ann questions whether she can prevent an ape from causing catastrophe.
Peter Jackson is fascinated with the stories of fantastical monsters. A legendary filmmaker, Jackson has often made engaging films about fantastical creatures that cause disasters. His film “The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring” honoured a celebrated fantasy book about a ring. With “King Kong”, however, the filmmaker created his first remake. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to remake a classic movie about apes causing catastrophe but he succeeded tremendously. Using spellbinding cinematography, Jackson captures the lives of filmmakers seeking to produce a movie on a cursed island causing catastrophe. Jackson effectively uses handheld camera capturing tension that inhabitants of a doomed island are enduring. For instance, handheld camera elevates the native tribe attack scene. During this frightening scene, Ann and her filmmaking crew are attacked by a native tribe which is frightening. One appreciates handheld camera capturing a filmmaking crew that experiences a dilemma. Handheld cinematography is often tricky to use in movies. As Roman Polanski’s “The Pianist” suggested, handheld camera enhanced movies about the Holocaust. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Jackson captures apes that are frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “King Kong” that merits appreciation is the visual effects. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Jackson effectively uses motion-capture technology to capture an ape causing catastrophe. Throughout the movie, motion capture technology creates an ape which is compelling. For instance, the motion-capture elevates the Kong introduction scene. During this terrifying scene, Ann is abducted by Kong on an island that’s frightening. Through strong motion-capture technology, Jackson creates a character that audiences can easily relate to. Motion-capture is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Rupert Wyatt’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” suggested, motion capture often elevates films about planets ruled by massive apes. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is superb. Patrick Doyle’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden apes bear. Through powerful production, Jackson demonstrates apes causing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “King Kong” is a monster movie which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, effectively using silence to capture the bond between an ape and woman. For instance, silence enhances the final farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ann bids tearful farewell to Kong as he is killed in New York City. Through silence, Jackson created an ape which audiences could easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist” suggested, silence elevates period pieces about World War II. M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” suggested silence elevates commemorated horror films about villages. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Jackson caprices monstrous apes which face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Adrien Brody delivers one of his finest career performances as Jack Driscoll. Brody earned appreciation for playing Jewish pianists that survive WWII. With “King Kong”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a screenwriter seeking to prevent an ape catastrophe but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Brody has always excelled at playing emotional heroes facing pressure, and “King Kong” showcased his strengths as an actor. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, fury and resentment of a screenwriter seeking to prevent an ape catastrophe. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Adrien Brody, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Naomi Watts is wonderful, capturing the bravery of an actress that falls in love with an ape that causes catastrophe. Jack Black is brilliant, capturing ambition of a Hollywood director seeking to film a movie on a doomed island causing catastrophe. Lastly, Andy Serkis is worthy of appreciation. As King Kong, he captures commanding authority of an ape causing catastrophe.
Finally, “King Kong” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing animal cruelty with consequences that last long. Unlike most monster movies, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, terrorism and grief which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the ape classic to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about animal cruelty which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “King Kong” is one of those rare monster movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Adrien Brody will definitely recognize “King Kong” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating epic about a monster that’s tragic, it honoured an actor that is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a frightening ape falling in love with a woman on a doomed island that’s terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of a actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in movies that are worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 