I watched this last night after a period of perhaps a decade.
Wow. Amazing what 10+ years can do to one's perspective. I'd always had a soft spot in my heart for this film, but after last night I can't remember why.
The film (IMHO) is deadly dull until the fight sequences, the special effects (military equipment, trains, helicopters, etc.) incredibly fake, Kong looks (ok, I've always thought Kong looked horrible), and on and on. I know this movie is from the early 60s and the special effects budget probably limited, but still...I was laughing every time a tiny toy vehicle showed up on the screen.
The only redeaming point is the final fight between the two beasts, which is much more physical and feral than I'd remembered. This is still a great sequence. Not great enough to make up for the previous 70+ minutes, however.
After watching last night, I've come away with my own theory (at least I don't recall reading this before) about who "won" the fight. Godzilla, of course. King Kong is not just swimming away, but fleeing. He knows he can't win a fight against Godzilla in water (especially if it went underwater), so Kong's swimming away with his tail between his legs (despite the fact that he doesn't have a tail...)
Jim N
Wow. Amazing what 10+ years can do to one's perspective. I'd always had a soft spot in my heart for this film, but after last night I can't remember why.
The film (IMHO) is deadly dull until the fight sequences, the special effects (military equipment, trains, helicopters, etc.) incredibly fake, Kong looks (ok, I've always thought Kong looked horrible), and on and on. I know this movie is from the early 60s and the special effects budget probably limited, but still...I was laughing every time a tiny toy vehicle showed up on the screen.
The only redeaming point is the final fight between the two beasts, which is much more physical and feral than I'd remembered. This is still a great sequence. Not great enough to make up for the previous 70+ minutes, however.
After watching last night, I've come away with my own theory (at least I don't recall reading this before) about who "won" the fight. Godzilla, of course. King Kong is not just swimming away, but fleeing. He knows he can't win a fight against Godzilla in water (especially if it went underwater), so Kong's swimming away with his tail between his legs (despite the fact that he doesn't have a tail...)
Jim N
