King Kong - Still a Wonder

I don't think there is a film that has aged as incredibly as the original King Kong. Please don't read this as any kind of picking sides on the Godzilla/Kong matter. I promise it is not. What it is is a simple statement of facts. To quote Marcellus Wallace from Pulp Fiction, film is filled with films and filmmakers that are "Mother****ers who thought their ass would age like wine. If you mean it turns to vinegar, it does. If you mean it gets better with age, it don't." And for many many movies, this rings true. What was a classic to some in the 30s isn't a classic anymore. And what is a classic right now might not be one in the next 20 years. Film, like all forms of art, is a medium that is always changing, and at least hopefully, always getting better. But no matter where film goes and what highs and lows it takes, I can almost guarantee that King Kong will STILL be a masterpiece.

When Carl Denham, an eccentric film director finally finds the lead for his upcoming film, he and his film crew depart for a land lost to time: the mythic Skull Island. When they arrive and talks with the natives of the island turn sour, his lead, Ann Darrow is stolen by the island's ape god: Kong. Now Denham and his crew must venture through the dangerous island in order to get back Ann, and return to New York City with something to show for such a terrifying journey.

Right off the bat, King Kong receives props for its outstanding pacing. Scene to scene, line to line, the film does an amazing job at keeping the viewer intrigued and wanting to watch. It takes a nice chunk of the film for Kong to even be introduced. But even when he does come on screen, the movie was already so interesting that his arrival is close to icing on a cake. And if Kong's the icing on the cake, well, it's a pretty big cake, I can tell you that. Starting in New York, going to Skull Island and coming back, the perfect time is spent in every locale. The film builds and builds in such a fantastic way that it is hard to find any true low points during the entire runtime. The audience is never tense, however. In suspense at times, maybe. But never tense. Unlike Godzilla, Kong isn't a horror monster, neither is this film. So instead of the audience in disbelief at such destruction and horrifying imagery like in Godzilla, they're more so looking at the screen in disbelief at the excitement and with awe as opposed to horror.

Let's talk about the cast. By a leading mile, the most important character in the film is Ann Darrow, played by Fay Wray (portrayed left). Ann is a character that has a lot that needs to get across. First and foremost, she has to be likable. When Kong grabs Ann, the audience has to on edge for what Kong's going to do to this character we've grown to like. So if she's not a likable character, you won't feel anything when she gets kidnapped. Ann really is the character that the film hangs on, and carrying a character must not have been easy. But Wray knocks it out of the park. From her first lines in New York to the intense action she witnesses on the Island, Wray performs the role very honestly, and really earns the title of the first true scream queen. And that is a slight knock on the film, but not on Wray's performance. And while I can see it getting a little irritating how much of Ann's character is made up by her screaming, it didn't bother me all that much, personally. But I can understand some viewers having a plight with this. Regardless, Ann is a character that had to be done right the first time, and I'm glad to see that Wray did the role so well. With the many remakes of Kong that would come in the future, they would all have Ann, or at least their own version of a character like her. And outside of maybe Naomi Watts in Peter Jackson's 2005 remake, Wray is still the best. Now, while Ann is the most important character, the best human character in the movie is definitely Robert Armstrong as Carl Denham (pictured above right). There is so much to talk about with this character, he's just so fascinating. Everything about him just says "You don't want to talk to this guy," but he's a convincing man. He'll lure you into going on a suicide mission to an uncharted island to make HIS movie. He cares so little, and yet he always gets what he wants in the end. He's such a good character, and Armstrong does a fantastic job, and it's fun watching him play a character so dislikable, and yet so convincing.

But, of course, how can we talk about the leads of this film and not mention the main star of the entire production? In his debut to the entire world, Kong shows right off the bat that he would become a character to be remembered for the ages. From his excellent sound design to the masterful work on his special effects, Kong is incredible. Kong isn't a character the audience is scared of like Godzilla, or at least, not as outwardly so. In his debut film, Godzilla is very definitively the antagonist. Running completely counter to the goals and hopes of the main human cast, Godzilla is a monstrous villain who only earns sympathy near the end of the film. Kong on the other hand? The audience is almost always on Kong's side. Even when Kong wipes out most of the crew in the log bridge, he then goes back to doing his Kong business. Kong is to be a rather reclusive character. He just wants to be left alone in his cave and his recently sacrificed bride from the natives. So when it seems that everything seems to get in his way, the audience does feel for him a little bit. "Let him be alone, dammit!' might be a thought that pops into a viewers mind. And Kong earns the audience's love by showing that want to just be alone. And of course by being a grand spectacle, but largely because his motives are clear, and not that unreasonable given his circumstances. Making Kong such an interesting character to watch despite not really existing, only being made of recorded tiger roars and fantastic effects work is a strong testament to how well the film was made in all aspects. And once his story reaches its sad ending, the audience REALLY feels for Kong's plight. Being ripped out of the only life you knew, just to be shot down and unforgiven for your own size and qualities that you were never allowed to control. What a great story.


Now of course, talking about any movie in this genre, but especially King Kong would be a moot point if we didn't give special focus to the effects and everything that went into making the movie so magical. Willis O'brien (pictured right) and his special effects crew just about created the portfolio of a lifetime off of this film alone. From the marvelous stop motion work that still holds up very well today, the backdrops of every scene, creating illusions that made it look as though Kong was interacting with human actors, the work done on this film is monumental. There was so much incredible work done to bring this film to life. Among the many incredible marvels of special effects, my favorite include the life-sized versions of Kong's features. From making a giant sized head of Kong for close-ups of his hilarious grin to a giant hand to hold and interact with Fay Wray and other actors, they're just fun to look at. Well, that is to say, EVERY effect is fun to look at. When you do your research and find the techniques used to make this movie happen, you'll see some incredible stuff. I love everything about the effects work of this film. And while everything about the movie is phenomenal, there really is no way around it: the effects steal the show in this movie.

What more can I add? Nothing. With a movie as old and as famous as this, everything that can be said has been said. And it only makes sense. This movie still has its legacy for a reason. It is a very very good film. From fantastic performances to effects that still stand the test of time to music, a story and action beats that are simple yet iconic enough for anyone to recognize, this film will always be eternally loved. When the curtains close and all the theaters of the world are gone, everyone will still remember the image of a gorilla atop the Empire State Building, showing the world his might. This movie is wonderful, always has been, always will be, and I'm so happy that it's as recognized as it is.

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Alright, tomorrow's gonna be a blast. You know what time it is. That's right. With our two contestants entering the ring, tomorrow is a battle of East and West, Land vs Sea, Fire vs Electricity (for some reason)! Tomorrow, we're watching the legendary monster mash: KING KONG VS. GODZILLA!