King Kong (2005)
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An ambitious filmmaker leads a crew to a mysterious island where they encounter a legendary giant gorilla.
The story
Set in 1933 during the Great Depression, a struggling vaudeville performer named Ann Darrow is hired by a financially troubled filmmaker, Carl Denham, to star in a film. Denham tricks his cast and crew into traveling on a ship called the SS Venture, claiming they are headed for Singapore, but his true destination is the mysterious Skull Island. During the voyage, Ann falls in love with a screenwriter named Jack Driscoll. Upon arriving at the island, the group encounters prehistoric creatures and the legendary giant gorilla, Kong. After a series of events on the island, the crew attempts to capture the beast to bring it back to New York City for exhibition.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1933, Ann Darrow is hired by Carl Denham to star in a film. Denham secretly takes the crew to Skull Island, where they encounter prehistoric creatures and the giant ape, Kong. After a series of dangerous encounters and a rescue mission, the crew manages to capture Kong and transport him to New York City. The film culminates in a massive spectacle on Broadway where Kong is exhibited. However, the beast breaks free, causing chaos in the streets of New York. In a final confrontation, Kong is forced onto the roof of the Empire State Building, where he is ultimately killed by the military while trying to reach Ann. The film ends with Carl Denham reflecting on the tragedy of the 'beauty' that 'killed the beast.'
- First release year
- 2005
- Runtime (minutes)
- 187
- Production countries
- New Zealand; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Peter Jackson
- Writers
- Fran Walsh · screenplay; Philippa Boyens · screenplay; Peter Jackson · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Naomi Watts · Ann Darrow; Jack Black · Carl Denham; Adrien Brody · Jack Driscoll; Thomas Kretschmann · Captain Englehorn; Colin Hanks · Preston; Jamie Bell · Jimmy; Andy Serkis · Kong
- Genres
- epic monster film; adventure film; action adventure films
- Themes
- man vs. nature; obsession; beauty and the beast
- Tone and mood
- epic; spectacle
- Premise and plot tags
- monster; remake; adventure; historical fiction
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1933 film of the same title
- Franchise connections
- King Kong
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, praised for its special effects and sense of spectacle, though some criticized its long runtime.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Sound Editing · win; Academy Award · Best Sound Mixing · win; Academy Award · Best Visual Effects · win
- Production trivia
- The film's budget reached a then-record-breaking $207 million.; The production was filmed in New Zealand.; The film's score was originally intended to be composed by Howard Shore.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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