The Bottom Line
Terrific performances, simply amazing effects, and a touching story - "King Kong" has it all. And to top it off, the Collector's Edition DVD is loaded with behind-the-scenes extras.
Pros
- 200+ minutes of bonus material
- Everything you want to know about the post-production process and more
Cons
- None worth noting
Description
- 'Skull Island: A Natural History' - Examining the island's creatures and history
- 'Kong's New York, 1933' - Learn about NY during the 1930s and how it was recreated for this film
- Production diaries focusing on the work that goes into putting a film together after shooting ends
- DVD Release Date: March 28, 2006
Guide Review - "King Kong" Collector's Edition DVD Review
"King Kong" made my Top 10 list of films released in 2005 and, in a nutshell, here's why: it was entertaining, gorgeous to look at, and the effects are so incredible that Kong seemed as much alive as his human co-stars.For those few people unfamiliar with the story, struggling vaudeville actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts)and playwright Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody) are hired by movie producer Carl Denham (Jack Black) and taken to the mysterious - and very dangerous - Skull Island. Once there, Ann's kidnapped by the natives and given as a sacrifice to the massive ape, Kong. Instead of killing her, Kong becomes infatuated with Ann and even saves her from the carnivorous dinosaurs who roam the island.
Meanwhile, ever the money-grubbing producer, Denham sees only dollar signs when gazing upon Kong. The crew trap and tranquilize the huge creature and transport him back to New York to display to the eager horde of people willing to fork over cash to see Kong in chains on stage. And if you don't know how the story ends, I won't spoil it for you...
The "King Kong" Collector's Edition boxed set is one of the few so-called "collector's editions" that is substantially better than the regular DVD. Peter Jackson chronicled every part of the filmmaking process, and what went on in post-production is included in special production diaries. The DVD set also includes two terrific featurettes on Skull Island and recreating Depression era New York - both worth checking out.
