Welcome to In the Mix! If you read the snazzy banner Deus created me, you’ll see that this is the place to talk about movies in production. Hopefully, we can have as much fun discussing the next blockbuster as we can ripping the next McG film. Enough opening banter, let’s get in the mix!
In the Mix-Sept 3, 2004
For the first time in a decade, Peter Jackson will be working on a movie not entitled, The Lord of the Rings. Jackson begins production on King Kong this month. Working again with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, Jackson is basing his version of the Great Ape on the classic 1933 film starring Faye Raye. With a release date of December 14, 2005, King Kong will bring a wonderful Christmas present to moviegoers.
Who doesn't know the story of King Kong? For you few who don't, King Kong lives on Skull Island with some dinosaurs and is enjoying the quiet life. Unfortunately for him, a blonde will make him lose his senses. And when that blonde is Naomi Watts, who can blame him? Watts fills the enormous shoes of Fay Raye when she portrays Ann Darrow, a Vaudeville actress down on her luck in the Depression Era New York. Her luck potentially changes when showman Carl Denham, played by Jack Black. Denham, also down on his luck, is an entrepreneur/director/adventurer who sees his future looking brighter when he hears the legend of Skull Island and King Kong. Rounding out the primary cast is Adrian Brody as Jack Driscoll, the New York Playwright turned hero. (Other secondary cast members are Andy Serkis, Thomas Kretschmenn, Colin Hanks and Kyle Chandler.)
Now, Cinema Blend usually frowns on remakes and the “reimagining” of movies. Why are we excited about King Kong then? How many Kong movies do we need? More importantly, why remake a classic? Well, for starters, I trust Peter Jackson. He never compromised Tolkien’s true vision and he won’t compromise Cooper and Wallace’s classic. Secondly, I am usually more forgiving of remaking a classic when it stays true to the subject matter but improves upon the special effects and the filmmaking in general.
Jackson proved with Gollum that he can add soul to a CGI character and he has hired Gollum to play King Kong. Actually, he’s hired Andy Serkis to give the actors someone to react to and he will mimic Kong’s facial expressions which will be used to create the CGI character. If you have seen LOTR, you know what a fabulous job Serkis did.
Even more exciting is the involvement of WETA, the company behind the costumes and sets from The Lord of the Rings. Jackson didn’t take the lucas way out and CGI every set, actor, tree, or animal he could, Jackson made sure to have real sets and real actors playing as many characters as possible. CGI is a helpful complement but not a replacement for talented people. Jackson realizes this.
Filming takes place in New Zealand but you’ll definitely get the 1930s flair of the original. King Kong based in present day New York just wouldn't work. No one is going to believe you can find an island with dinosaurs on it. Well, besides Isla Nubar. A present day setting for Kong is as bad an idea as the 1990s Godzilla movie. Still having doubts? Peter Jackson’s following quote gives me faith in the remake.
because it means we can invest the story with the
mystery and romance of a bygone era. The thirties
was a time of discovery, when we did not know
the full parameters of the world and literally,
anything was possible.
It’s a shame Spielberg and Cruise don’t feel the same about War of the Worlds (more on this next week). With a budget of $130 million, Peter Jackson’s vision of King Kong will probably bring out a few detractors who will be hell bent on not praising Jackson for a fourth straight movie. Also, we’ll probably have a few people saying Jackson can’t do any wrong. I won’t go that far, but based on his last work, I’ll trust Peter Jackson with my classics anyday.
See you next week In the Mix!
Got a comment? .
