While home for the Holidays, I was surprised to see that my parent's owned Peter Jackson's latest effort, King Kong. After reading Pat's review earlier this year I wasn't particularly eager to view this epic remake, but a few days with the family was all I needed to convince me to sit down for three hours and contemplate the actions and life-style of a giant monkey.

Jackson creates a grim atmosphere of financial strife and general desperation by setting the beginning of this tale in New York City during the great depression. From out of this dismal atmosphere, we first meet Ann Darrow, played magnificently by the lovely Naomi Watts. Her ground-breaking performance leaves little doubt that she is the greatest actress of our age. She is complemented by the dramatic performance of Jack Black as Carl Kenmam, and the frighteningly handsome Adrien Brody (Jack Discoll.) With this important character development established, although I must say quite rushed, this group of unlikely characters sets off on a sea voyage into the unknown. This is hardly a pleasure cruise, as Jackson delves deeper into the various psyches that are placed in a desperate situation on the mystic waters of the Atlantic. A portrait of the human consciousness that Jackson is masterfully painting is interrupted by the action sequences of Skull Island. I think these scenes are more of a distraction than anything and hardly worth mentioning. That being said, I do feel compelled to disagree with Pat on Kong vs. the Tyrannosaurs. A giant gorilla disposing of three tyrannosaurs seems completely reasonable. That's why Kong is the king baby. . . it's science!

Out of this shameless display of eye candy, a very unusual and tender love story grows between the beauty and the beast. Never before has the so called "forbidden love" been displayed so beautifully on the big screen. Jackson really cuts to the core in King Kong with the message; there is no right or wrong, only love. Does it matter that it be between a woman and a monkey? Are we not all just animals aching for that special touch?

Unfortunately, art imitates life as this heartfelt love story ends in tragedy. How can the special bond of bestiality exist in a world of fear and ignorance?! Where people would rather hate, kill and destroy then understand and open up their hearts to the giant ape that lives in all of us. In reading Pat's review of King Kong, it becomes obvious that he missed the point completely. I don't blame him though, I blame the society that taught him to feel shame rather that love.

Hamlin Grade: 3

Mr. Facetious