STACK #153 Jul 2017

FEATURE DVD&BD

The

of

KONG

him in the film; he’s still growing into his role as the alpha,” explains producer Mary Parent. “And this is an island teeming with far more vicious creatures including the Skullcrawlers, which killed his ancestors and made him the last of his kind. That’s what’s so exciting about exploring this piece of mythology. Kong is such a compelling figure anyway, but he’s facing the defining battle of his life in this film – the fight to claim his rightful place as King of Skull Island.” It’s 1973 when Skull Island is discovered via a satellite image, leading a team – comprising scientist John Goodman, mercenary/ tracker Tom Hiddleston,

KING KONG (1933) The original and the best – both the movie and Kong. Willis O'Brien's incredibly expressive stop-motion creation remains the most endearing of all screen Kongs, which makes his fall from the Empire State all the more tragic.

Roberts. "To [have them] stare up at Kong and say, ‘that’s a god’ – what does that do to people? “Kong is not just a giant animal in our film. This isn’t a man versus nature story,” he continues. “That’s why our Kong will be the biggest in Hollywood history. I want audiences to feel what it’s like to look up and see something conscious and ferocious and 100-feet tall looking over you.”

Kong represents all the mystery and wonder that still exists in the world. That's why he will never stop being relevant.

KING KONG (1976) The combined efforts of makeup maestros Rick Baker and Carlo Rambaldi can't save this Kong from looking like the mechanical beast and man-in-a-suit he obviously is. "When monkey die, everybody cry!" Or not.

photojournalist Brie Larson, and battle-hardened soldier Samuel L. Jackman – to explore this

Producer Thomas Tull promises Kong: Skull Island will deliver a fresh, new experience for audiences while remaining true to the established lore has made Kong a screen icon for almost a century. “As fans ourselves, it was incredibly important to us that we honour the essential elements of this character that have connected with so many people around the world in a big, fun, epic adventure that delivers the pure entertainment and spectacle of an action-packed monster movie.”

primordial habitat. Backed by a strong military contingent, they quickly discover that all the firepower at their disposal is no match for the primal force that is Kong. “I love the idea of taking a handful of characters that have come out of the Vietnam War, not believing in anything or quite knowing where they belong, and thrusting them into this mystical place,” says Vogt- Roberts. Indeed, the 1970s setting was an important consideration in maintaining Kong's status as a legendary beast. “It’s the last time in the world where myth could still exist and you can have these unknown things,” explains Vogt-

KING KONG LIVES (1986) Another dodgy Kong costume derails this risible sequel to the 1976 remake, but that's the least of this film's problems. "Only a miracle can save Kong now" and it's not the heart transplant that brings him back to life.

• Kong: Skull Island is out on July 19

KING KONG (2005) The motion-capture Kong is incredibly lifelike, but Peter Jackson's remake is bloated and mawkish, with an interminable trip to Skull Island and too many tender moments with Naomi Watts. The double dinosaur fight in the chasm is cool, though.

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