Garp
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BONUS: 'King Kong' [1976]
Is Godzilla in it? No. Godzilla connection: See 'King Kong' [1933]
'King Kong' [1976] gets a bad rap. I can kind of see why. It's not a great film but I admit it wasn't the trainwreck I was expecting. The plot has been updated from the original, replacing a movie director looking for his next big hit with an oil executive looking for the next big well. It's an acceptable change, and Jeff Bridges as an anthropologist stowing away onboard is passable too. Jessica Lange's introduction, however, stretches credulity, having been found adrift on a raft after her yacht explodes offscreen.
Let's mention Lange here briefly. This was her first film and she looks lovely, wearing a wide array of ever-more revealing costumes. Her acting suffices though her character is a one-note annoying flibbertigibbet. Jeff Bridges, in contrast, should be in every bad-to-mediocre movie, as he manages to bring it up a notch and is hugely entertaining to watch. There are a number of recognisable character actors in supporting roles, but Charles Grodin didn't work for me. Admittedly the script had him go from oil exec to sideshow barker in an instant, but I just didn't buy it.
There are some scenes from the original that reappear here - the capture of our heroine by natives, shaking of the log bridge, and Kong toying with a train. When compared with Toho's monster suits, the effects are very good - Kong's face is expressive, and the giant hand gets a pass from me - and the sets are wonderful. But then, two minutes later, there would be an unconvincing soundstage scene, or a distracting composite effects shot poorly rendered. When it's good - especially on location - it's very good. But when it's not... well, see the giant snake scene and you'll know what I mean.
The film is also too long at over 2 hours. Even with Lange's diminishing wardrobe, I had trouble staying awake. It's an interesting remake but, unlike the original, not one I can imagine re-watching.
Is Godzilla in it? No. Godzilla connection: See 'King Kong' [1933]
'King Kong' [1976] gets a bad rap. I can kind of see why. It's not a great film but I admit it wasn't the trainwreck I was expecting. The plot has been updated from the original, replacing a movie director looking for his next big hit with an oil executive looking for the next big well. It's an acceptable change, and Jeff Bridges as an anthropologist stowing away onboard is passable too. Jessica Lange's introduction, however, stretches credulity, having been found adrift on a raft after her yacht explodes offscreen.
Let's mention Lange here briefly. This was her first film and she looks lovely, wearing a wide array of ever-more revealing costumes. Her acting suffices though her character is a one-note annoying flibbertigibbet. Jeff Bridges, in contrast, should be in every bad-to-mediocre movie, as he manages to bring it up a notch and is hugely entertaining to watch. There are a number of recognisable character actors in supporting roles, but Charles Grodin didn't work for me. Admittedly the script had him go from oil exec to sideshow barker in an instant, but I just didn't buy it.
There are some scenes from the original that reappear here - the capture of our heroine by natives, shaking of the log bridge, and Kong toying with a train. When compared with Toho's monster suits, the effects are very good - Kong's face is expressive, and the giant hand gets a pass from me - and the sets are wonderful. But then, two minutes later, there would be an unconvincing soundstage scene, or a distracting composite effects shot poorly rendered. When it's good - especially on location - it's very good. But when it's not... well, see the giant snake scene and you'll know what I mean.
The film is also too long at over 2 hours. Even with Lange's diminishing wardrobe, I had trouble staying awake. It's an interesting remake but, unlike the original, not one I can imagine re-watching.