The original 1933 version, the 1976 re-make, or the 2003 modern version?
My opinion is that the 1933 film is an absolute masterpiece. It cannot be topped. The story keeps you interested, the characters are played perfectly by Wray, Cabot, Armstrong and Co. Even though the special effects are dated, one can still easily suspend their disbelief. The music is beautiful, appropriate and stirring. A film I can watch again and again.
The 1976 re-make is unbelievably corrupted and convaluted clap-trap. None of the characters are likeable, they're all mercenary in one way or the other. The special effects are the worst, man in a suit type, as if they were right out of a campy japanese godzilla movie. I can't like anything about this film with it's bastardization of the original plot, with the possible exception of Jessica Lange in daisy dukes.
The modern 2003 special effects driven film is better than the 1976 version by a mile, but still a mile behind the original film. The effects are amazing, but the film is hampered by ham acting (especially by Jack Black), and only the crew of the tramp steamer and Naomi Watts act like they want to make this movie a success, the rest of the actors are just going through the motions as if making a monster movie was somehow beneath them. I do really like the range of Kong's emotions and the battle scenes between monsters is a real roller coaster ride. And no scene in any film I've ever seen gives me the willies like that canyon full of tiger sized centipedes, spiders and carnivorous worms (UGH! it sends shivers up my spine just thinking about it.).
All in all, I would rate the films as follows:
King Kong (1933) 5 out of 5 stars. A timeless tale of horror, beauty, mystery, imagination and adventure.
King Kong (1976) 2 out of 5 stars. A barely watchable borefest with all the fake polyester sheen and apathetic emptiness of the 1970's.
King Kong (2003) 3 and a half out of 5 stars. A special effects thrill ride hampered by bad acting and a lackluster script.
So, what say you?
P.S.: I know this has nothing to do with guns or game or the normally serious topics of the Powder Keg. But I figured with all the dark news lately, we could stand a little break, speculating on something that doesn't shake the world, or our sensibilities.
