Review of King Kong (1976) by Jakelem — 10 Jun 2021

I know given the slate of newer films we get every year with better and more advanced technology, it’s easy to dismiss older films as fake looking and not worth seeing but I’d argue giving even just one a chance you might find yourself a new favorite film like I did. Thank you Shout Factory for an amazing re-release Blu-ray.

Simply put King Kong brings me immense joy as a cinephile and someone who appreciates all the hard work that goes into filmmaking as a whole. Perhaps what I adore even more is that clearly from the get-go this film knows what it set out to do when it was made. While Dino De Laurentiis wasn’t the greatest person around ( Meryl Streep incident) he was ambitious enough to challenge Jaws for the biggest monster flick and wanted to create what the poster says the most exciting motion picture event of all time. For many children of that Christmas of 1976, it was, and I’d argue it still is even with the 05 remake. Instead of being a shot for shot remake of the classic 1933 Kong Dino and company reworked the story to fit into the time period of the 70s.

Choosing to do this turns people off who adore the classic but for me it makes it stand out on its own and embraces its newly found story and shows off the technology that was available during the year it was made. Seeing how they combined practical effects with Rick Baker’s suit looks beautiful and at times real except that snake. I love seeing how the mechanical arms interacted with the actors and certain scenes. Jessica Lange is wonderful and even though her character is no Anna Darrow and more of an airhead she’s stunning and gives the film the emotional weight for beauty and beast. Jeff Bridges has never looked better , his hair makes me envious just so luscious. Charles Grodin as the villain was brilliant casting he steals every scene he’s in and gives a dashing turn for the oil tycoon who seeks it all for personal gain. John Barry delivers a beautiful score that makes the emotional scenes hit home.

Also, the finale is changed up instead of the empire state building we get the twin towers which look beyond stunning , I give Dino props for doing something different and giving it good reasoning behind it.

Overall, I adore King Kong 76, it’s no means a perfect film but for me it set out what to do. Be the biggest blockbuster of its Era. All hail the mighty Kong the eighth wonder of the world.