King Kong – rated PG 13 and running three plus hours, turns out to be quite an over the top spectacle. Beautifully shot, with as smart a script and acting as can be expected, considering most of the characters spend their time looking like a deer caught in headlights, everytime Kong shows up. Directed by “Lord Of the Rings” god Peter Jackson, one can’t expect anything less than magnificent, as he rises to be the King of Hollyood himself, when it comes to the world of special effects. The only downside of this movie is its length and the anticipation of when we’ll finally see the ape. The first hour sets up a depression era New York City flawlessly, when we learn that a smartly-cast, sleazy and desperate director (Jack Black) has a plan to make a movie. The second hour brings Black, his scriptwriter (Adrien Brody) and undiscovered star (Naomi Watts) to Skull Island where there must survive more than they bargained for. Forget about lions and tigers and bears, oh my – it’s more like cannibals and TRex’s and gorillas, oh my! This is where Kong meets the girl – black, hairy, big, plus white, petite, blonde, equals breathtaking brilliance. The third hour returns the cast to the classic set of New York CIty. Much like the original there is the famous Empire State Building ending. Not since “Titanic” has there been an epic holiday-style-lovestory that took three hours for the big event – boat to sink, ape in New York, whatever. Like “Titanic” it has all the elements of Blockbuster entertainment, including, a DeCaprio-esque star who beats his chest to scream, “I am King of the World” – Kong world that is. Three and a half tiaras.
