One can't help but raise an eyebrow at the curious concoction that is The Mighty Kong. On paper, it boasts a pedigree ripe for cineastic fireworks: the legendary vocal talents of Dudley Moore tackling both the bombastic filmmaker Carl Denham and the mighty ape himself, and a score courtesy of the Sherman Brothers, the musical masterminds behind Mary Poppins. Anticipation soars.
But then the film flickers to life, and reality crashes down with the weight of a poorly animated steamship. The Mighty Kong suffers from a case of severe budgetary anemia. The animation is a far cry from Disney's polished perfection, with characters that jerk around the screen and faces that morph uncomfortably with every expression.
The narrative, too, is a predictable beast, a rote rehash of the classic King Kong tale with a Beauty and the Beast garnish thrown in for good measure. Thankfully, the damsel in distress avoids the typical demise this time around. There's even a shoehorned-in child sidekick, a desperate attempt to lure the younger set, that feels as unnecessary as a monocle on a clown.
Despite these shortcomings, The Mighty Kong isn't entirely without charm. The period setting offers a certain nostalgic appeal, and the sheer audacity of Moore's dual role (executed with varying degrees of success, it must be said) is undeniably intriguing. The Sherman Brothers' score, while not their strongest work, provides a few toe-tapping moments.
Ultimately, The Mighty Kong is a cinematic oddity - a lo-fi lullaby to a classic tale. It might hold some appeal for die-hard Kong enthusiasts or those with a penchant for delightfully strange films. But for most viewers, this ape will likely leave them scratching their heads and yearning for the mighty original.
