It sucks being a guy. They bite you, shoot at you, gas you, knock you down, strangle you, tear at your flesh and finally shoot at you again (this time causing you to fall off a tall building), all while you are trying to protect your girlfriend! How f***'d up and belligerant a world we must live in for mankind to create this movie about a giant gorilla with whom we must empathize because most of the human race is so opportunistic and knee jerk violent.
Jackson's remake can be thrilling but unfortunately here are the drawbacks...too long, too bloated, too much CGI, feels like a Universal Studios ride. Not enough grace. Not enough wit. Not enough artistry. Not enough true scares. Jack Black is the wrong note. Really wrong. Mealy mouthed writer as our only human protagonist? I like Adrian Brody, but are we really supposed to root for this character?
However...here are the positives. Depression era Manhattan glows. It's beautiful. There are some good scares. And the chemistry between a CG Kong and Naomi Watts is at times genuinely moving...the heart of a movie that is really only about one thing...how the world can crush your dreams and tear you and your loved ones apart (metaphorically speaking).
If only the artistry on display in the love scenes between Watts and Kong could be found in the rest of the film, then we'd have ourselves a real picture!