King Kong (2005)

In 1933 New York, an overly ambitious movie producer coerces his cast and hired ship crew to travel to mysterious Skull Island, where they encounter Kong, a giant ape who is immediately smitten with leading lady Ann Darrow.

Director:

Peter Jackson

Writers:

Fran Walsh (screenplay), Philippa Boyens (screenplay),

Stars:

Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody

Won 3 Oscars. Another 24 wins & 48 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Naomi Watts	...	Ann Darrow
Jack Black	...	Carl Denham
Adrien Brody	...	Jack Driscoll
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Captain Englehorn
Colin Hanks	...	Preston
Andy Serkis	...	Kong / Lumpy
Evan Parke	...	Hayes
Jamie Bell	...	Jimmy
Lobo Chan	...	Choy
John Sumner	...	Herb
Craig Hall	...	Mike
Kyle Chandler	...	Bruce Baxter
William Johnson	...	Manny
Mark Hadlow	...	Harry
Geraldine Brophy	...	Maude

Storyline

Carl Denham needs to finish his movie and has the perfect location; Skull Island. But he still needs to find a leading lady. This 'soon-to-be-unfortunate' soul is Ann Darrow. No one knows what they will encounter on this island and why it is so mysterious, but once they reach it, they will soon find out. Living on this hidden island is a giant gorilla and this beast now has Ann is its grasps. Carl and Ann's new love, Jack Driscoll must travel through the jungle looking for Kong and Ann, whilst avoiding all sorts of creatures and beasts. But Carl has another plan in mind.

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Plot Keywords:

island | jungle | gorilla | 1930s | film director | 

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Taglines:

The eighth wonder of the world.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for frightening adventure violence and some disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [uk]

Country:

New Zealand USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Peter Jackson's King Kong

Filming Locations:

Beach Road, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$207,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$213,679 (South Africa) (6 January 2006)

Gross:

$218,051,260 (USA) (31 March 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, WingNut Films, Big Primate Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

187 min 201 min (extended edition)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX SDDS DTS-ES

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The pages of script that Jack gave to Carl in the ship were actually part of Peter Jackson's personal copy of the King Kong script itself. As proof, Jackson revealed it in one of the film's post-production diaries "Pick Up Wraps".

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Goofs

Before Kong picks up Hayes he fires a shot from his pistol, then you see him cocking his weapon back again while he is in Kong's hands. He was shooting a semi-automatic pistol so there was no need to cock the gun again.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Manny: [practicing sneezes] That's a funny one. Isn't that funnier?

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Crazy Credits

The end credits are set against an art deco backdrop rather than the traditional black screen. The backdrop is an exact replica, in Technicolor, of the same backdrop that was used for the opening credits in the 1933 version of "King Kong".

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Connections

Spoofed in Robot Chicken: Help Me (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Bye Bye Blackbird"
Written by Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson
Performed by Peggy Lee
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Wow

This film is simply amazing. The best remake I have ever seen, expect nothing but aces in the drama and action department in this film. Peter Jackson manages to helm one hell of a movie, and what is destined to be 2005's top film.

Never have I seen a CG Character garner so much emotion. If you thought the first film is heartbreaking, this one down right makes it tough to not shed at least a tear by the end of the film.

By the way, once the action starts in this film, it NEVER let's up. A beautiful yet sad film, I can't wait to see it again.

Those who are afraid that this film might do anything to take away from the original, do not worry. The time and setting of this film really keeps the original's spirit intact, while carving some fantastical new ground of it's own. Though some of the actual scenery here and there may look a bit fake, you will never ever think that about the main ape himself.