Review of King Kong (1933) by Chris M — 04 Jun 2013

Once again, I'm at a loss for words...

Can you get any more classic than "King Kong"? The only other movie that I can think of that's just as classic, if not more, is "The Wizard of Oz" (another 10/10 movie).

"King Kong" is truly one of those films that will never grow old. The story of King Kong is so simple, yet so timeless. A filmmaker brings his cast and crew to an island to shoot a new movie. On this island is Kong, a gigantic gorilla, which the natives of the island worship. The natives kidnap Ann Darrow, the leading lady of the film, and give her over to Kong. Kong develops sort of a love for Ann and wants to protect her. The filmmakers capture Kong and bring him back to New York City, where he escapes on goes on a rampage. The Finale is one of the most iconic scenes in American Film history, if not THE most iconic.

One cannot talk about this movie without mentioning the incredible effects of Willis O'Brien. Like Ray Harryhausen's work, O'Brien's work here overshadows the human cast. Some of the effects are dated but most of it stands up really well. One cannot help but be impressed by the film's special effects. Kong was shot with stop-motion, but there are some scenes, where you see just head, hands, and feet, where he is an animatronic. But the stop-motion effects are where Kong truly shines. O'Brien's work here gives Kong a very fantastic, but real quality. The way he moves and reacts to things immerses you in the movie and makes you forget that he is not real. How can you not watch the final scene and not feel sadness for Kong?

I could go on and on about how good this movie is, but we all know why "King Kong" is one of the greatest movies of all time. An incredible and timeless story, good characters, exceptional special effects, and the greatest movie monster of all time, Kong himself. It is a legend of American Cinema; a milestone in film-making history that will, most likely, live on forever. The day "King Kong" ceases to amaze is the day where we mark the death of cinema.