MovieChat Forums > King Kong (1933) Discussion > Overrated beyond belief?

Overrated beyond belief?

posted 11 years ago by twofacetoo
51 replies | jump to latest

I've seen this movie, and the 70's remake, and finally the Peter Jackson blockbuster, and every time I just sat there, staring at the screen, asking myself and those around me:
'What's the big deal?'
I don't hate the movie by any means, but I can't understand why so many people fangirl over this movie.
The most common excuse is 'the effects', which I grant you are very impressive, but other films with amazing effects include 'Star Wars', 'The Invisible Man', '2001: A Space Odyssey', and many others
But these films are praised for much more than their effects, for having amazing stories and characters and mythos and everything else.
So when you put it in perspective, does 'King Kong' have anything going for it other than it's effects? And I mean from a serious perspective. No 'HOW DARE YOU ASKDGJLSDKFG', legitimate serious points. I want a discussion, not an argument.

[–] michael-abatemarco 8 years ago

does 'King Kong' have anything going for it other than it's effects?

Yes! It has a fantastic score by Max Steiner and it was the first time a film had been scored with music written for each main character, including Kong. And about those special effects, well Willis O'Brien practically wrote the book on special effects while making the film and his techniques are still in use today, even in cgi-loaded extravaganzas.

''It's a lonely way, you know, the way of the necromancer.''

[–] spencerc2217 8 years ago

I don't think you understand filmmaking or what makes a good or great film. The film is brilliantly directed and edited. That and the special effects are the reason so very very many people have enjoyed it countless times. It has pace, moving from the slow beginning to the whole Skull Island sequence -- kidnap by natives, prisoner of Kong, deaths of the pursuers, rescue, Kong's pursuit and subdued on the beach -- then a brief pause leading into the fantastic NY sequence which builds to a dramatic crescendo -- eg destruction of the subway, brilliantly edited -- and one of the great final movie lines. All propelled by Max Steiner's magnificent massive score, the first great film music score by one of the peerless masters.

With these qualities the dialog and acting are secondary. If you understood films you would appreciate this. In light of the almost universal adulation of this film, don't you think a little humility is in order ?

[–] The_Film_Addict 8 years ago

Blockbusters are the Hollywood norm now. If you can think it, you can film it. In 1933, film was simply not what it is today. There's a thrilling adventure here! It's full of imagination and it's loads of fun.

Put yourself in the perspective of someone in 1933. If you were a lover of cinema then, I don't see how you wouldn't love a film like King Kong.

"I wish I wasn't afraid all the time, but I am."
-V for Vendetta

[–] slimone (7996) 7 years ago

I saw this movie when I was a kid and loved it, and again recently. I marveled at the CGI or whatever the technique used in the 1930s. The DVD I watched had a special features option and it explained in detail how the special effects were don. Amazing! It's a great story, and I could watch it over and over again. I haven't seen the later versions, I prefer to just be happy with the original.