The CG in 2005 Kong holds up AMAZINGLY well in my opinion.

I loved Jackson's Kong. Never understood all the hate.

Do you think this film is too long? Once I was at a Shopping Mall and I saw that this movie were on a television, there were no seats around. I watched the whole movie standing up. LOL

great movie but that ravine scene with the giant bugs and nasty worms with teeth... nightmare fuel and it still disturbs me today.

The PS2 videogame for the 2005 remake is great

This is one of the greatest remakes to ever grace the big screen. Kudos to Peter Jackson and his team at WETA.

This was the Kong movie I saw the most.

Not many remakes pay proper homage to the original like this does. I'm right there with you James, for all it's faults it's not meant to be the best Kong remae it's simply the best love letter to the original King Kong and it shows.

I think this movie is really really good, one of the best remakes ever made

This movie makes me cry every time. It's truly beautiful and bittersweet.

I love this remake, I would say it's one of my favorite Films of all time!

This King Kong will have a special place in my heart because it got me into the Original King Kong and to really appreciate what a masterpiece the 1933 film is.

I wonder how many people know that there's an extended cut of this remake.

This is arguably one the greatest, most epic, and philosophically-deep films ever. Young filmmakers can learn a lot about conveying hidden themes from this movie.

FUN FACT: The movie was in development hell since 1997 and the story and concept art were different.

This and the 1999 remake of The Mummy are the best remakes.

We all need more James in our life. Moaaaaarrrr.

This movie is what I feel all films should strive to be.

This movie is awesome

Although I thought Jackson's Lord of the Rings films were way too long, I never thought that way about his Kong. Of course it would have worked at half the length, there's just so much to love, I loved every second of it.

Dude, love these series. I just finished listening to two of your other Kong reviews while driving into work. Keep it up, they're awesome.

He forgot to mention that the soundtrack for this movie was amazing.

The movie made a subtle reference to peter Jackson's horror film; brain dead. Coincidentally, that one made another subtle reference to King Kong

Fun Fact: King Kong turned 84 today.

It's amazing that CGI from 2005 looks more realistic that what we got in The Flash...

Skull Island is neither a remake nor a sequel; it's a complete remake of the character. It should basically be looked at as if none of the other films happened. It wouldn't be fair to compare it to the original, since it's not intended to take anything from the original outside of the character itself.

Once you finish this series you should upload a Kong-pilation of all the episodes. *Badum tiss.

I still can't believe that today with all the resources and money they have, that practical effects don't see more use. I can still see CGI to be used to enhance practical effects and GO motion stuff of course, but I just wish they'd stop using CG as the only means. Like I re-watched Edge of Tomorrow yesterday. Fun film. The suits look awesome and most of the battles look good too, but every time they use CG especially for the creatures it always looks undefined and blurry like fuck. But I rewatch something like Alien or RoboCop 2 for example and everything looks sharp and well lit. I can feel like I can appreciate the visual quality of a scene, because It's mostly using natural lighting.

Im glad that you like this film too. I get sick of people trashing it when most of them never even saw it and the rest know nothing about film. Long live the giant monsters!!!

When I was in the third grade they played the original King Kong on TV when this movie was going to be released and I loved it and watched it over and over. I went to see it a few days later and you can tell how much of a love letter this was to the original. It referenced Meriem Cooper, had original dialogue, featured some of the score and title card art. Even the advertisements in New York were identical. Even as a kid I was able to tell how much passion Jackson had for the original.

that scene in the pit with the giant bugs is fucking nightmare fuel.

i really love this movie , if it wasnt a remake of a classic this would be one of the all time greatest adventure movies , just as the original . i truly think that this is one of those few remakes that is just as good as the original , and we are talking about a masterpiece here , so probably a candidate for the best remake ever.

OMG i love this movie 10 years ago when i was little!

This actually happens to be my favorite film of all time.

I remember that April Fools joke. I was actually hyped for it and miffed when I found out it was a joke.

One of my favorite films of all time. Another masterpiece by Peter Jackson.

4:50 I saved you, don't say thanks or anything... baka.

I know it's a long movie, but to me, it's never long enough. The action is so good, & I liked the cast a lot. I can feel how much passion Jackson has for the original, which sets it apart from the more soulless remakes of classics. To this day, that damn insect pit scene is the only scene in ANY film that--no matter how many re-viewings--scares the living heck outta me on a bizarrely deep, primal level. I bet the original directors would be proud of how he integrated that lost scene.

James could be talking about the history of his bowel movements the last year, and I'd still be glued to the screen. The man has a certain enthusiasm that really smittens me to no end.

No one other than Peter Jackson immediately after LotR would have gotten the support, money, and freedom to make something like this.

The version I grew up with. Love Jackson's visualizations of fictional worlds in all of his projects - the attention to detail is staggering. That quality shines even better here than in LOTR to an extent.

James should cover the Mighty Joe Young pictures for the Kongathon. While not exactly Kong, it is descended from the same lineage and done by some of the same people.

I love that bug pit scene in the 1930s style. So much love for that film style.

I saw PJ's Kong once and that was enough. I can watch the '33 and '76 versions any day.

I love this movie! It awakens the viewer's desire to search, watch the original, compare the two versions. Young people probably would never have watched the '33 original and Son of Kong without the remake of Peter Jackson. A bit too many special effects - slaughter in the natives village, three T-Rexes, running away with the camera from the dinosaurs - yes, but it still keeps the vibe of the original. They even allude to Fay Wray and RKO, and some of the dialogues are the same as in 1933! I have never been on a ship with a woman, the beauty has killed the beast etc. 2005 Remake is a masterpiece.

I love this movie! Watched it about a trillion times.

I’d at least describe this film as “indulgent,” if not “bloated.” Best I can say is it justifies its existence as a remake and seems like a passion project. It likely also represents the end of Jackson’s more serious auteur efforts within the realm of franchise blockbusters as his Hobbit trilogy carried the stench pure corporate exploitation. The Hobbit became a trilogy as an exercise in greed to maximize revenue across three films wringing every ounce of blood from Middle Earth. But Kong exceeds three hours for no other reason that Jackson and Co. wanted to further explore the mythology, world, and characters of that story. Its hard to hate something made from passion and innocence - even if it drags on for way, way, way too long.

I was watching this the other day and was genuinely impressed at how well the CG has aged (aside from a few greenscreen moments, but that's unavoidable). Kong looks great, I never thought of him as just a CGI thing on the screen, and honestly for many bits you could convince me it was a film made recently. Like people have said it's a big indulgent, but that makes sense considering the passion Jackson has, and you can tell it on the screen.

I love Jacksons Kong. It is just astounding. The fight between Kong and the 3 T rex's is in my opinion the best fight scene in any movie ever!

This is my favorite version tbh. I can see all the love for the older ones, but I grew up with this one, and when he fights the Vrex's, it's just so badass.

He also directed Braindead!!! One of the craziest, goriest and weirdest movies ! have ever seen!

I didn't care about this movie til I beat the game on Ps2 The game was so awesome that I had to see the movie!

This is a masterpiece of a remake.

That monster massacre on the bottom of the pit scene was give me nightmare when i was a child 😂 Surprise tho the original also planned to have that scene as well

There's an amazing 2 hour film hidden in Jackson's King Kong

The one King Kong review I've been waiting for years.

The film was impressive but the insect scene made it stand out. And I'm serious, that scene with the atmosphere, music and monsters is making me shudder to this second

Now I want to see Kong fighting Nazi created monsters.

The movie was truly amazing in its ability to make me feel sad when Kong died. The scene on the frozen pond was is almost heartbreaking.

Is James going to talk about the King Kong musical?

i see a lot of parallels between you and peter jackson

This is the King Kong film I watch the most. I LOVE this film. I prefer the relationship between Anne and Kong in Jackson’s film

James has the most relaxing voice on the planet. I once had the best nap of my life listening to his videos.

That scene in the pit where the worms slowly eat the guy uuurrrrggghhh still makes my skin crawl.

Well, I enjoyed the film. It was a good modern remake of a classic. Honestly, this was the only Kong I watched all the way through because, well, I've only seen clips of King Kong films when I was young. I only recognized the iconic scene of Kong on top of the Empire State building and the fight between the T-Rex.

Such a great remake, CGI Kong still looks good.

I remember seeing this film in the theaters all the way back in 2006.

Hey james if you want to catch that hype again I suggest you buy the book Skull Island: a Natural History, It's a big big book that goes along like the documentary but it has hundreds of pages of island geology, natural history and all of the monsters, there must be at least 200 different creatures in the book all with amazing art of them all.

The Production Diaries were the best thing I saw. I actually recommend watching those before the movie. Although in total they are probably over 6 hours, they are really cool. Watching the process is awesome.

Personally, I really like the length of the movie. I like the long build-up towards the island and Kong

Best review ever James!! Your appreciation of these Kong films is very well conveyed, which helps me enjoy them better.

I never thought I'd see a review where James actually likes a CG movie. It's good to know you have an open mind.

you should also wanna know that PJ had the actual metal skeleton model of the 30's kong with him at a premiere

I absolutely love this movie. It's the one that came closest to remaking the magic of the original.

dude the scene when they're in the pit with the giant bugs and worms was incredibly disturbing for some reason

I'm rewatching it again as I watch this review. I love the cast of this movie, the story is great, CGI is top notch for the time, I think it's cool to note that Chandler is in this kong movie and will be in Godzilla vs Kong.... dude came full circle lol

Worked on it. Still have some memorabilia. The amount of research and detail from every dept was unbelievable.

2005 King Kong is the most beautiful movie I've ever seen. I'm so happy that it exists.

Peter Jackson's King Kong is EPIC in every sense of the word!! Want to relive the hype from the theater experience?? Just buy a bigger TV and a home theater set!!

I very much enjoy every part of this film. Saw it in theaters when I was 17, had the same bladder concerns ha. Enjoyed your review as well. Never stop filming, sir.

This was my favorite Kong and I loved the original.

What I remember the most about seeing this in theaters was the collective "Ew" the audience let out when Jack and co. fell in the Spider Pit and the Slugs came on screen.

I still remember watching this film in theatres when I was like 5 with my father and I just loved every second of it. Cried a little at the end though.

Hey James, I don't know if you'll read this or not but i'm writing this anyway. i've been a fan of you for quite some time now. About 2009 when i was 12 (wow time flies) I've Seen most of your work, not your film sadly but i'm running low on money but will definitely buy it when i can. I would just like to thank you for all your hard work and entertainment. Your film reviews and AVGN episodes really inspired me to watch more movies and appreciate the art of filmmaking, and just like that I Became a movie buff like yourself. I'm going into film school here in Iceland thanks to you. Love you man

I'm surprised Jackson made Kong a giant gorilla. I always thought he was some primative missing link type creature.

I love this movie, despite it being really slow at times and cutting a lot of great stuff out. It's by someone who just loves the original film, LOVES it. I keep on seeing these remakes and book adaptations being made into films, and Peter Jackson's one of the few where I see that if he likes something, he goes balls out into it. Apparently Universal had wanted to make this film in 1976, but then Paramount beat them to the rights. They tried again to make in 1998, but didn't want to compete with that year's Godzilla movie. By that time, Jackson was aboard. However, the studio refused to let him take a big risk. It was only after he made billions with Lord of the Rings (which in itself was a huge gamble) that he got to make his Kong

Wow, i already liked the movie but only watched it once since it came out, because i remembered the long runtime and also like the original one way more, but James made me want to watch this movie again, so great work dude ;)

You should review the LOTR trilogy. I'd love to hear your opinion on them!

We might still have this 2005 version on DVD somewhere. I may have to go back and rewatch it to refresh my memory. I'm just curious to see how well the graphics have held up over the span of 10+ years.

I've always loved the fact that this movie jugst showed Kong as a gorilla. Not a monster, just a gorilla.

This movie deserved to raise a billion

Peter Jackson's Kong is also notable for having one of the best movie tie-in games

I think your reviews are top notch.. thanks for all of your content, I've enjoyed it for years.

V Rex tangled in the vines to Ann: I'M BIGGER THAN YOU! I'M HIGHER IN THE FOOD CHAIN!! GET IN MY BELLY!! COME ON!!

I saw this movie when it came out back in 2005 with my two older brother's Juan Solorzano, Isaac Solorzano our Father and my older brother's friend Henri Rebolorio. Man we had a great time that night at the cinemas. #Never Forget

This is one movie that (at least if you see it in the theater) you really DON'T want to drink anything when you see it.

I agree that this movie is better for the theater than for home viewing. I lose interest during the DVD version at home, but it’s so bombastic and BIG that’s it’s just perfect for a night out in front of a giant screen with an equally giant bucket of popcorn. Makes me glad I went to the theater to see it in 2005!

4:44 ITS A Vastatosaurus rex peter jackson's dinos are more evoved then the original

I was 6 when it came out. I was too young to see it. But my parents saw it and they thought that with all of the Dinosaur scenes in the film (including the scene where brawls the T-Rexes) the film was for me. And it was.

Anyone else catch the reference to the original ? When Denham is trying to find a replacement actress for his film, he says, "What about Fay?" His assistant : "She can't she's doing a picture at RKO" Denham : "COOPER!"