The long-term appeal of “King Kong” is the unique dynamic of the Beast being attracted to Beauty, as she brings out his softer, gentler side. In this re-make, the Beast protects her, enjoys a sunset with her, laughs with her, and is even playful with her. But, of course, he’s too brutish to survive in this world, because he’s too much of a threat to others.
This version of “King Kong” is set in the 1930’s, like the original. It’s actually three movies of one hour each: the prelude and the voyage, the island, and the return.
In the prelude and the voyage section, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) is a struggling actress in vaudeville during the Depression. (The acrobatics will come in handy later.) The cast hasn’t been paid in a couple of weeks, but it’s still a surprise when they show up for a matinee performance only to be told the theater has closed. They literally go home hungry.
Ann begs the only other director she knows for a part in his production, but he says it’s already been cast, and directs her to a friend of his who is just opening a new show. When she arrives at the theater, she discovers that it is burlesque, and she resolves to just walk away quietly. But a desperate film director named Carl Denham (Jack Black) happens to spot her at that moment, assuring her she’s perfect for his film, and the next thing she knows she’s on a freighter bound for Singapore. Or so she thought.
Denham is on the run, and his project is marginal, at best, so he tries to con the captain into taking him to the legendary Skull Island. When they arrive, they find a wilderness which time forgot. Dinosaurs and other gigantic, ravenous creatures roam free. The natives are fierce and pitiless. They capture our intrepid adventurers and decide that the blonde girl needs to be sacrificed to Kong. The next thing Darrow knows, she’s tied to a couple of stakes, awaiting the arrival of her executioner. Kudos to the filmmakers for their special effects achievements on this giant gorilla: he looks and sounds very real. Instead of eating his sacrificial offering, he aggressively defends his prize catch, but his interest in her leads him right into the trap where they chloroform him and drag him back to New York to be put on display.
Now we’re all set up for the famous scene where the enormous King Kong is hanging on to the top of the Empire State Building, swatting at the pesky airplanes that are shooting at him. He manages to grab a couple of them, but eventually they do what guns are designed to do. Goliath no doubt confirmed his legend only when he crashed to the ground in magnificent defeat (I Samuel 17).
Parts of this movie feel like scenes from “Jurassic Park,” “Raiders Of the Lost Ark,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” It’s a grand adventure on an epic scope, featuring harrowing escapes, fights to the finish, and a little romance along the way. It’s all unrealistic, but very enjoyable, with the proper suspension of disbelief. And afterwards, you’ll just want to climb to the top of a building or a mountain, and thump your chest and roar.
Questions For Discussion:
1) If the Lord says that we are to have dominion over all animals (Genesis 1:28), why would God make animals that are a threat to humans?
2) Have you ever been sidetracked by affection for the unattainable?
3) Have you ever not been paid for work you have already completed?
4) Do you think that there are animals on earth that we have yet to discover?
Ron Salfen is pastor of First Church, Terrell, Texas.
