MovieChat Forums > King Kong (1976) Discussion > The 1976 version is my favorite. 2005 Ki...

The 1976 version is my favorite. 2005 King Kong is HORRIBLE


I've dearly loved this version of King Kong ever since I first saw it as a little kid. I've seen it countless times and it never gets old.

I was super excited for the 2005 film, but when I saw it, it was godawful and horrible. Just wall to wall bursting at the seams with CGI and the story was a huge letdown.

So yeah, I just came to say the 1976 version is still incredible, and the 2005 version is dogs**t.

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Well I don't regard the 2005 version as 'horrible' but I do agree that 1976 is a better film overall although it does suffer from Kong himself during the scenes where its clearly a man in a suit, which is all the long shot scenes.
Better cast, acting, script, music and directing in the 1976 film though, as well as a better balanced story and pacing.

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peter jackson is a one hit wonder. he nailed it with the lord of the rings trilogy, but then after that became over rated and totally predictable.
from a purists point of view he made a mess of the hobbit, didn't capture the spirit of the novel at all.
likewise with kong, he spent too much time on pointless action scenes.
76 version has much better characters and atmosphere. jeff bridges was brilliant

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That would actually make him a three-hit wonder. And I would include, at the very least, The Frighteners and Heavenly Creatures as well. Either way, not too shabby!

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I must admit i feel a tad ignorant at the moment because i haven't seen either of these movies. Is 'The Frighteners' in the same vein as 'The House', a movie made in the mid 80's with William Katt starring? If it is, then I stand corrected. Heavenly Creatures sounds promising. In any case, i will correct the situation by watching both and see if i can redeem Pete.

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Interesting point Doctor O. If you watch a movie more than once, then it most likely means you like it.
Each re viewing reveals more layers and nuances, and you appreciate and understand the movie more each time.
For this reason, i believe, if you like a movie, then it is necessary to view it several times, as it is practically impossible to grasp everything in one viewing
Also, in response to your second paragraph, the quirky love story that develops between the Beauty and the Beast is something that i thought was essential to the whole storyline. Its strange that it wasn't focused upon in the original.

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Ah yes, the good old days, when the mere thought of a giant monkey could scare the crap out of people!
Movie makers and movie goers have come a long way. Desensitisation has made it necessary for characters like Kong to develop a sense of romance to validate his behaviour, and the Headless Horseman from Sleepy Hollow to have a complex and psychologically harrowing past to explain his penchant for collecting human heads. And Hannibal Lecter... makes my head spin!
And don't get me started on Batman!

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heavenly creatures is the best peter jackson film.

who loves all people of all gender,skin color, nationality, sexuality equally?
crocodile

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The Frighteners is awesome!! One of my all time fav somehow. Love the dark turn it ends up taking towards the end.

People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefsī²

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The 1976 one is pretty good but the 2005 one is a masterpiece, visually and story wise. Naomi Watts was sublime in it. Her relationship with Kong was very touching.
Jack Black seemed an odd choice at first, but i think he did great and delivered a very believable performance. Adrian Brody and Kyle Chandler were convincing too, especially Chandler.

Everything from the long build up at the beginning to the over-the-top apatosaurus scene, the jaw-dropping T-Rex fight, to the final New York scene was all done beautifully. Love the color palette too, very Peter Jackson-esque and Naomi Watts portrayal... Just wonderful.

I never understood the hate against this movie. 9/10 in my book.


People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefsī²

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