Cinematic Spaces: King Kong - Review

King Kong is a Giant Monster Adventure Film produced in 1933 by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, with screenplay by Ruth Rose and James Ashmore Creelman (based on Cooper and Edgar Wallace's story). The Movie tells a story of group of people who go on a cruise in order to make a movie. On the island which they reach, dwells a giant ape, which later wants to possess the movies beautiful actress - Ann Darrow (Fay Wray).

"In modern times the movie has aged, as critic James Berardinelli observes, and "advances in technology and acting have dated aspects of the production." Yes, but very artificial are some of the special effects, however there is a creepiness that isn't there in today's slick, flawless, computer-aided images."

Ebert, 2002

Just like Roger Ebert states in the quotation, King Kong might be an old production, but it remains one of a kind. Its imperfectness seems to be adding a spark of life to the whole moving image, creating pictures scarier than some of nowadays “giant monster adventure” films. The audience can feel the harshness of the jungle, the wildness of island's tribe and the gloom of Kong's cave not because they have been made in a perfect way, but because they now seem so imperfect and somehow “carelessly” done. The movie consists of flaws, scenes which now make people laugh, but maybe this is the most important and key-meaning about King Kong. This film creates unexpected, unnatural violation of the modern flawless worlds and images that surround us during present times.

"The plot was kept simple but believable enough to allow the audience to enjoy the special effects to dominate."

Haflidason , 2001 

A mysterious Island, desired, and kidnapped beauty, a horrendous beast and then - a tragedy. This might sum up King Kong's plot but it is not the most important and valuable aspect of that production. The special effects in this movie, which by 1933 were something quite new and exciting, now seem a little bit odd and not really that “special”.

Until 1990's almost every monster movie used a variation on “blue-screen” technique, which allowed matting and blending actors with background, projected separately. In order to get the effect of depth and separate events happening in the foreground and middle ground, the rear previously shot footage was projected, and additional action is photographed in front of the screen.

Thanks to special effects Kong's body, that was only 42 centimeters high, seemed giant. Also full-sized props were used, just like the ape's huge hand or its gigantic head and chest. These days achieving such effects wouldn't be a problem, but back then all these impressed the audience.

"Despite its various deficiencies and occasionally antiquated style, King Kong remains not only a milestone of movie-making, but a magical experience."

Berardinelli , 1994

The idea for this movie first appeared in Cooper's dreams. He had a vision of a huge ape attacking New York. Making such a movie in the early 30's must have been a huge challenge, though thanks to the effort and the idea itself, King Kong became an iconic film. The final scene which shows Kong climbing the Empire State Building, having a lengthy action sequence, then falling to his death is probably one of the most recognizable and iconic moments in the history of cinema.

Moreover, film producers gave Kong the feeling which people could associate with, perhaps that’s why all the “special-effects” in the production still allow people to see the true values and can treasure them without judging the film only by its age.

Bibliography:
1. Quotes:

* Ebert Roger, 2002, http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020203/REVIEWS08/202030301/1023

* Haflidason Almar, 2001, http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/01/30/king_kong_1933_review.shtml

* Berardinelli James, 1994, http://www.reelviews.net/movies/k/kong_33.html

2. Stills:
* Poster:  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Kingkongposter.jpg/220px-Kingkongposter.jpg
* Still 1: http://drnorth.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/king-kong-randomised/
* Still 2: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Kingkongposter.jpg/220px-Kingkongposter.jpg