King Kong (2005) Saturday Monster Movies

Peter Jackson’s King Kong retells the story of a film crew that ventures to the mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter a colossal gorilla, Kong, who develops a bond with actress Ann Darrow. After capturing Kong and bringing him to New York City as a spectacle, chaos ensues, leading to Kong's tragic demise atop the Empire State Building. This story is familiar to most film buffs, and even to people who have not seen a movie version of Kong. Jackson’s retelling takes advantage of much more elaborate special effects and more time to develop the story. However, that does not mean it is better than the original, and it is arguably even less groundbreaking.

This adaptation emphasizes the bond between Ann and Kong as a symbol of empathy and the tragedy of exploiting nature for profit. It critiques humanity’s greed and disregard for the natural world, suggesting that Kong's downfall is not due to his inherent nature but the human impulse to dominate and commodify the wonders of creation.

While the 1933 King Kong also explores the clash between civilization and the natural world, it leans more heavily on a sense of adventure and the exoticism of Skull Island. The original is often interpreted as a cautionary tale about unchecked ambition and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond human control. Jackson’s remake deepens the emotional connection between Kong and Ann, making it less about taming the "beast" and more about the tragedy of misunderstood creatures and the moral failings of exploitative human behavior. Both films share a sense of awe but diverge in their emotional and thematic depth, with the remake offering a more sympathetic view of Kong.

It is also the most implausible love story on film. Kong and Ann share too many longing glances, accounting for a large percent of the run time!