Jackson's 'KING KONG' - 3 hours long (reviews merged)
12-15-05, 07:38 AM
#176
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Originally Posted by NatrlBornThrllr
It was in there.
I LOVED the flick, and agree it was excellent. I have a few minor complaints though... it could have been 20 minutes shorter...I'm talking like 5 minutes here and there. For example:
1. The Jamie Bell character's storyline really goes nowhere, mentioning how he was found etc...there is no payoff so I'd get rid of it.
2. The natives were given too much time and the photography was headache inducing. We get it, they're creepy and worship Kong...All the closeups of haggard woman spouting her mantra were really starting to get to me...also, I thought it was unnecessary to make these natives look like Orc rejects from LOTR.
3. When Driscoll and Co. are fighting off the large bugs, battling them off and then trying to shoot them off...the scene just went on too long...also, the utter lack of music and very low sound effects in this sequence made it jarring, rather than intense, which I think was what PJ was going for...only creature scene on Skull Island I didn't totally love to death.
4. They really drag out the Empire State building finale. Lots of time goes by, dragging out the inevitable, Anne looking sadly at kong, him returning the look, anne looking at kong etc. If that was a bit leaner, I think it would have had the same impact...as it was, it really slowed the finale and IMO made it a bit LESS dramatic, because it was one of the only spots where I realized how long the film actually was....many people in my theatre were checking their watches, and believe it or not, about 6 people got up and left...guess they figured they knew where it was heading...
Ok, so those are minor gripes...things I absolutely LOVED were the references to Faye and Cooper...awesome. The discovery of Skull Island and the "coffee stain" on the map. THE STAMPEED scene was INCREDIBLE and of course, the most exciting scene I've seen on film in year, the T.REX battle... I'm gonna see it again this afternoon, really hope it does well (when i saw it yesterday, it was not very busy at all....)
MATT
12-15-05, 07:44 AM
#178
I thought the length just fine. The native scenes were creepy. That just added to the many frightening moments on Skull Island.
TRAILERS
Final Destination 3
Poseidon
Miami Vice
The Break Up
Inside Man
No M:I 3 or X-3.
TRAILERS
Final Destination 3
Poseidon
Miami Vice
The Break Up
Inside Man
No M:I 3 or X-3.
Last edited by Mr. Cinema; 12-15-05 at 08:49 AM.
12-15-05, 09:06 AM
#180
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by mdc3000
That scene as it appears in the trailer was NOT in the film... the Kong scream was, but Anne being shot on that rocky river's edge was not...although I wouldn't say it was missed.
-JP
12-15-05, 09:29 AM
#181
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I loved the movie. My wife hated it....but she hated it because she became so drawn into the film and emotionally involved with Kong that she couldn't stop bawling from the end of act 2 to the end of the film.
12-15-05, 09:47 AM
#182
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Originally Posted by mdc3000
That scene as it appears in the trailer was NOT in the film... the Kong scream was, but Anne being shot on that rocky river's edge was not...although I wouldn't say it was missed.
...
MATT
...
MATT
Originally Posted by NatrlBornThrllr
Oh, you're right. I just recalled the gist of the scene (hearing her scream, and his reaction). I'd completely forgotten that she was standing in a different location during the trailer.
-JP
-JP
also I was kind of hoping for an updated version of when Kong goes psycho on the natives and stomps and chews several of them to death.
12-15-05, 10:43 AM
#183
Originally Posted by mdc3000
That scene as it appears in the trailer was NOT in the film... the Kong scream was, but Anne being shot on that rocky river's edge was not...although I wouldn't say it was missed.
I LOVED the flick, and agree it was excellent. I have a few minor complaints though... it could have been 20 minutes shorter...I'm talking like 5 minutes here and there. For example:
1. The Jamie Bell character's storyline really goes nowhere, mentioning how he was found etc...there is no payoff so I'd get rid of it.
2. The natives were given too much time and the photography was headache inducing. We get it, they're creepy and worship Kong...All the closeups of haggard woman spouting her mantra were really starting to get to me...also, I thought it was unnecessary to make these natives look like Orc rejects from LOTR.
3. When Driscoll and Co. are fighting off the large bugs, battling them off and then trying to shoot them off...the scene just went on too long...also, the utter lack of music and very low sound effects in this sequence made it jarring, rather than intense, which I think was what PJ was going for...only creature scene on Skull Island I didn't totally love to death.
4. They really drag out the Empire State building finale. Lots of time goes by, dragging out the inevitable, Anne looking sadly at kong, him returning the look, anne looking at kong etc. If that was a bit leaner, I think it would have had the same impact...as it was, it really slowed the finale and IMO made it a bit LESS dramatic, because it was one of the only spots where I realized how long the film actually was....many people in my theatre were checking their watches, and believe it or not, about 6 people got up and left...guess they figured they knew where it was heading...
Ok, so those are minor gripes...things I absolutely LOVED were the references to Faye and Cooper...awesome. The discovery of Skull Island and the "coffee stain" on the map. THE STAMPEED scene was INCREDIBLE and of course, the most exciting scene I've seen on film in year, the T.REX battle... I'm gonna see it again this afternoon, really hope it does well (when i saw it yesterday, it was not very busy at all....)
MATT
I LOVED the flick, and agree it was excellent. I have a few minor complaints though... it could have been 20 minutes shorter...I'm talking like 5 minutes here and there. For example:
1. The Jamie Bell character's storyline really goes nowhere, mentioning how he was found etc...there is no payoff so I'd get rid of it.
2. The natives were given too much time and the photography was headache inducing. We get it, they're creepy and worship Kong...All the closeups of haggard woman spouting her mantra were really starting to get to me...also, I thought it was unnecessary to make these natives look like Orc rejects from LOTR.
3. When Driscoll and Co. are fighting off the large bugs, battling them off and then trying to shoot them off...the scene just went on too long...also, the utter lack of music and very low sound effects in this sequence made it jarring, rather than intense, which I think was what PJ was going for...only creature scene on Skull Island I didn't totally love to death.
4. They really drag out the Empire State building finale. Lots of time goes by, dragging out the inevitable, Anne looking sadly at kong, him returning the look, anne looking at kong etc. If that was a bit leaner, I think it would have had the same impact...as it was, it really slowed the finale and IMO made it a bit LESS dramatic, because it was one of the only spots where I realized how long the film actually was....many people in my theatre were checking their watches, and believe it or not, about 6 people got up and left...guess they figured they knew where it was heading...
Ok, so those are minor gripes...things I absolutely LOVED were the references to Faye and Cooper...awesome. The discovery of Skull Island and the "coffee stain" on the map. THE STAMPEED scene was INCREDIBLE and of course, the most exciting scene I've seen on film in year, the T.REX battle... I'm gonna see it again this afternoon, really hope it does well (when i saw it yesterday, it was not very busy at all....)
MATT
I think your gripes with the film are microscopic ones.
12-15-05, 10:58 AM
#184
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Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
Referencing #4: You were looking around at people in the theater during the finale? My eyes were glued to the screen the entire time.
I think your gripes with the film are microscopic ones.
I think your gripes with the film are microscopic ones.
MATT
12-15-05, 12:57 PM
#186
I loved the movie with minor things that have already been said (I agree with much of Matts take) In addition-- the LAST LINE did not need to be said. It was an attempt to say "HEY MOVIE VIEWERS OUT THERE: HERE IS WHAT WE THINK THE MOVIE WAS ALLLL ABOUT!" in my opinion you shouldnt try to encapsulate the whole film in one sentance. It made the ending much less poignant.
12-15-05, 01:59 PM
#187
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by Save Ferris
In addition-- the LAST LINE did not need to be said. It was an attempt to say "HEY MOVIE VIEWERS OUT THERE: HERE IS WHAT WE THINK THE MOVIE WAS ALLLL ABOUT!" in my opinion you shouldnt try to encapsulate the whole film in one sentance. It made the ending much less poignant.
12-15-05, 02:11 PM
#188
Sure. That doesnt mean they need every line and scene in this version. This line detracted from the film. To me, it seemed the movie had so many themes of love and loss and sacrifice and adventure. To put it so simplistically seemed silly in light of the ending. I would of rather looked on in silence drawing my own conclusions instead of hearing Jack Black pitch it to me.
12-15-05, 02:14 PM
#189
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What is with the Drudge Report?? They are hammering away at this movie so much you'd think Kong was a liberal politician. "Kong Bomb" "Kong racist"... son of a bitch, let the movie have it's first weekend before declaring it a financial failure!!!
12-15-05, 02:31 PM
#191
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Originally Posted by Save Ferris
I loved the movie with minor things that have already been said (I agree with much of Matts take) In addition-- the LAST LINE did not need to be said. It was an attempt to say "HEY MOVIE VIEWERS OUT THERE: HERE IS WHAT WE THINK THE MOVIE WAS ALLLL ABOUT!" in my opinion you shouldnt try to encapsulate the whole film in one sentance. It made the ending much less poignant.
Spoiler:
12-15-05, 02:34 PM
#192
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Originally Posted by mdc3000
4. They really drag out the Empire State building finale. Lots of time goes by, dragging out the inevitable, Anne looking sadly at kong, him returning the look, anne looking at kong etc. If that was a bit leaner, I think it would have had the same impact...as it was, it really slowed the finale and IMO made it a bit LESS dramatic, because it was one of the only spots where I realized how long the film actually was....many people in my theatre were checking their watches, and believe it or not, about 6 people got up and left...guess they figured they knew where it was heading...
MATT
12-15-05, 03:00 PM
#194
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the guy who said people were checking there watches and getting up and saying the ending was dragged out is crazy. If people were checking there watches and getting up theres something wrong with them Everyone in the audence at our theater were glued to the screen.
The movie was AMAZING. Favorite film of 05. if this doesnt get nominated for best picture something's wrong. Everything was perfect. the length didnt bother me at all, I am glad it was 3 hours nothing felt rushed. The pacing I thought was perfect
The best scene in the movie I thought was the scene when Kongs playing on the ice. For once moment hes having fun playing. Then BAM they start shooting. I thought the movie was very heartbreaking even though you know whats going to happen. The ending was drawn out. The looks between Kong and Ann were Perfect.
The movie gets an A+ from me. loved it
The movie was AMAZING. Favorite film of 05. if this doesnt get nominated for best picture something's wrong. Everything was perfect. the length didnt bother me at all, I am glad it was 3 hours nothing felt rushed. The pacing I thought was perfect
The best scene in the movie I thought was the scene when Kongs playing on the ice. For once moment hes having fun playing. Then BAM they start shooting. I thought the movie was very heartbreaking even though you know whats going to happen. The ending was drawn out. The looks between Kong and Ann were Perfect.
The movie gets an A+ from me. loved it
12-15-05, 03:08 PM
#195
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Originally Posted by Save Ferris
you've got to be kidding.
Spoiler:
i don't understand...are you defending you're statement of the line summing up the movie or explaining what the line means? the line was a tribute to its original as was the entire movie.
12-15-05, 03:26 PM
#197
sorry for the spoiler sensitivities-- I saw some people getting very testy in a kong video game thread that referred to the movie (not this forum)
I was backing up my opinion that the last line didnt need to be there.
1. it was an inacurate statement
2. it detracted from an otherwise poignant scene.
Sure the movie had lots of tributes to the original. This just didnt seem to fit.
As far as the love story goes: They build up how these two overcome their differences and find a common ground between them and develop a wonderful relationship that is beyond looks/species. Saying the woman killed him is a horrible distortion of the facts. Society killed him, senseless military force killed him, commercialism killed him, fate killed him, he outgrew our world. There could be 100 ways to describe it, but by no means did the woman kill him. She was the one human on his side.
Maybe it was meant to be an insult thrown at kong? It took away from the final scene. I would of preferred a fade to black.
I was backing up my opinion that the last line didnt need to be there.
1. it was an inacurate statement
2. it detracted from an otherwise poignant scene.
Sure the movie had lots of tributes to the original. This just didnt seem to fit.
As far as the love story goes: They build up how these two overcome their differences and find a common ground between them and develop a wonderful relationship that is beyond looks/species. Saying the woman killed him is a horrible distortion of the facts. Society killed him, senseless military force killed him, commercialism killed him, fate killed him, he outgrew our world. There could be 100 ways to describe it, but by no means did the woman kill him. She was the one human on his side.
Maybe it was meant to be an insult thrown at kong? It took away from the final scene. I would of preferred a fade to black.
Last edited by Save Ferris; 12-15-05 at 03:29 PM.
12-15-05, 03:56 PM
#199
Originally Posted by maingon
Ann did Kill him, if it werent for her he wouldnt of been caputured in the first place. They used Ann to lure him out.
12-15-05, 04:26 PM
#200
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The fact is, that's a classic line in cinema.
"I coulda had class. I coulda been a contenda. I coulda been somebody."
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."
...and so forth. Fuck, it was number 84 on the AFI 100 Years, 100 Movie Quotes list. Here's a link: http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/quotes.aspx
To leave that line out of this movie would have been a travesty.
-JP
"I coulda had class. I coulda been a contenda. I coulda been somebody."
"I love the smell of napalm in the morning."
"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."
...and so forth. Fuck, it was number 84 on the AFI 100 Years, 100 Movie Quotes list. Here's a link: http://www.afi.com/tvevents/100years/quotes.aspx
To leave that line out of this movie would have been a travesty.
-JP