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</script></div>{/googleAds}Peter Jackson's epic version of King Kong is finally available on Blu-ray and, boy, is it every bit as magnificent as I remembered. True, the film has only been out of theatres for a few years but, for lovers of film like me, it has been sorely missed. Two bits of good news for all you home theatre buffs out there: the first is that this version of the film contains both the theatrical and the extended version of the film and the second is that the film LOOKS and SOUNDS better than ever before.
Most of us have seen this version and are familiar with Jackson's approach at humanizing the monster (masterfully performed by Jackson alum Andy Serkis) while lovingly paying homage to the original film (at times working in the exact dialogue from the original film) and using the original score at key moments of the film. But for those who have NO IDEA what King Kong is about... I only have this to say...
Really? You have to be kidding me?!?!?
King Kong is the story of Carl Denham (surprisingly well-played by Jack Black), a near-finished director, and his attempt at fortune and glory at the risk of all those aboard a ship that is bound for Skull Island. No one is sure what they will find there. And certainly, no one expects to find a huge gorilla that has a liking for Ann Darrow (the beautiful Naomi Watts seriously, she has never looked more beautiful on film). The story spends most of its time on the Island (especially the extended version which includes the deleted swamp scene a dinosaur attack and more) and then, once Kong is captured, the local moves to New York for a final and stunning climax. Other standouts in the movie are Adrian Brody, who plays the love interest for Watts, and her salvation. Tom Hanks' son, Colin Hanks, plays Preston, the assistant and conscience of Denham.
The extended which is a MUST SEE adds twenty minutes to the film and fills the gaps in for those who noticed some continuity issues with the theatrical cut. Also, as an added bonus, we get to see the deleted scenes from the boat that adds so much more depth and character development to the characters that it becomes hard to understand why those scenes (especially those between Brody and Watts) were ever trimmed from the movie in the first place. What is also a pretty neat feature in the extended version of the film is the Picture-In-Picture mode where, with a click of your remote, you can see the actual film and see what went on behind the scenes to make that scene work. It is truly a fascinating new technology with Blu-ray discs and a must watch for fans of the movie. Also, not to be missed, are the art galleries from Kong; some very beautiful images there, my friends.
King Kong always was a beautiful film (those who owned its previous releases can attest to that), but on Blu-ray its beauty is a magnificent beast to witness both audibly and visually and, for its asking price, it might not hurt so much after double dipping on this one.
DVD Details:
Includes both theatrical and extended versions of the film.
Screen formats: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
Subtitles: English; French; Spanish; Closed Captioned
Language and Sound: English: DTS 5.1 Surround
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access.
* Commentary - Extended feature commentary with director/co-writer Peter Jackson and co-writer/co-producer Philippa Boyens
* Blu-ray exclusive - U-Control
* Picture-in-picture Extended Edition Cast & Crew Interviews - extended version only
* The Art Galleries - Conceptual art galleries
* BD Live - my scenes
Number of discs: - 1 - Region 1, Keepcase Packaging.
{pgomakase}
