by jkrouskop » Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:45 am
SON OF KONG is an okay little diversion, marred primarily by a slow build-up and a couple of clunky, intentionally humorous moments. In all, though, I'd say it's far from "unwatchable". To each their own, I guess.
KING KONG LIVES is one of those rare examples of a movie that succeeds in being simultaneously good and horrible. The set up is fine (if a bit far-fetched), and there are satisfying moments, but every time it starts to take a turn for the better, something derails it. In spite of its many, many flaws, the thing that hurt it most for me was Kong's eyes. In the 76 film, Kong was leering and lustful, looking at Jessica Lange in much the same way the men in the audience were! In KKL, his eyes are very generic animal eyes, with no whites. The 76 Kong was bad, but at least the ape suit had personality. The KKL suit was weak and uninteresting.