King Kong (4K Ultra-HD) (+ Blu-ray) [2005]

I purchased this Blue-Ray King Kong because I wanted the extended version..There are no problems with the Blue-Ray discs themselves.All features work until you get to play the Theatrical or Extended versions.I was playing this movie through an LG Blue-Ray player and the Audio was missing from both film versions.Everything else plays perfectly.So here is a quick work around for the LG B-R Player..Go to Settings on your LG and change the Audio to PCM now go back and play either movie version all will work perfectly after that.As for the review I absolutely love the King Kong franchise and I do already have the extended version but not on Blue Ray..The Peter Jackson movie was the best ever, but then I have always been a Peter Jackson fan..Taking nothing away from the original classic because for its time and people the movie back then was probably quite frightening as the stop motion side of things other than Disney animation no one had done anything like this before.... KONG!!!!!!!Now we come to the Peter Jackson version and thus far it is the best out there and have probably watched it more tImes now than most films I have ever watched.Excellent production and looking forward to watching all the extras.. It's pretty impressive how this movie was put together and the amount of work the actor who played Kong had put into the choreography, study of detail In real Apes and Primates.Plasying two parts Kong and the Cook I could not think of a better person playing that role he was suited.Anyway great movie and now the Audio Probs are sorted Its an even better film now with sound haha..

story for the ages executed with upmost respect

Naomi Watts and Andy Serkis deserve Oscars for their work here; her heart breaks staring longingly into green screen, he runs about naked on all fours covered with motion sensors. But there's more to this movie than an Achievement in Visual Effects. Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) only speaks three words to Kong (Andy Serkis) throughout her entire time with him: "Yes", "No", and "Beautiful". It's an uncomplicated feeling they share; in fact, the whole movie is uncomplicated - but it's also profound and sad.The movie suffers by following Peter Jackson's own Return of the King. Not in terms of technical quality (I doubt any task would daunt him following that particular trilogy), but because someone still hasn't bought a pair of editing scissors. Jackson, along with long-time co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, squeeze suspense and adventure from every nook and cranny, from the typing of the word 'Skull' to the writing of a cheque. The narrative is breezy on paper: waves break, jaws break... then hearts break. Simple! But no, Kong goes on too long; particularly in this Extended Edition, which sees a disgruntled triceratops and a giant piranha push us well past the three-hour threshold.The original problems still remain. It's not always logical. Let's excuse Darrow's apparent invulnerability in the same way we excuse the physical illogicality of a 30-foot ape. But less believable is the crew's mission to save her - 17 violent spinning deaths later, one wonders if perhaps those Weta whizzkids don't share Jackson's obvious adoration for humankind. So many nameless crew-mates to feed the wanton carnage. But heck, why are we introduced to any of the crew at all? Characters like Jimmy (Jamie Bell) and Captain Englehorn (Thomas Kretschmann) are conspicuously absent from the final reel anyway.Yet there is so, so much to admire. Jackson's King Kong contains far more than eight measly wonders: so much drama and action, and so many sunsets. Jackson and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie have a real eye for the demands of the moment: epic, claustrophobic, kinetic, or otherwise. And the beasties are brilliant: scuttling, slavering, and always looking for another bite to eat.And, more than any of that, it is a movie with a real beating heart, and that heart lies in the scenes shared by Darrow and Kong. Jackson's real success with Lord of the Rings, aside from that project's sheer scale, was in presenting the fantastical without irony or feyness. And likewise here, a girl in a ballgown in New York midwinter falls in love with a hulking beast. Such is Jackson's expert control, unseen since Spielberg's populist heyday; such is his absolute conviction that some themes - namely the death of innocence - transcend the language of words. Like his own Heavenly Creatures, he is having fun making a nonsense of our notions of beauty and chastity. And I, for one, will remember the glint in Kong's eyes long after I've forgotten that giant piranha.

As far as remakes go, this was a pleasant surprise. Whilst it’ll never have the same impact and legacy of the 1933 classic, at least Peter Jackson had this in mind and pays loving tribute rather than trying to surpass it or make out to be the first film to feature the giant gorilla (cough, 1976 film).Even though some consider Jack Black as a miscast, it is very clear he gives everything to this film by toning down and expressing more with less. The outcome is him delivering one of his best performances and clearly shows his potential when given a chance. Plus could you really see Robert De Niro in a dinosaur stampede or George Clooney fighting giant wetas? Naomi Watts beautifully executes all emotions needed with believability and is even better when she interacts with Kong. The highlight performance is Andy Serkis with his motion capture for the mighty king. Not only does the titular character look so life like, the facial expressions and body movements add such depth to the creature and crowned Serkis as 'king of motion-capture acting'. Alongside the above, there are some really good (if underused) performances from the supporting cast like Evan Parke, Jamie Bell, Lobo Chan, Thomas Kretschmann and Andy Serkis who takes on a second role as Lumpy the Cook.Despite a few noticeable moments, which sadly haven’t got any better over time, the visuals for this film are incredible. From the run down Depression Era New York to the hellish Skull Island, the scenes are beautiful, detailed and captivating.The runtime certainly won’t please everyone: audiences complain it takes too long to get to the island whilst critics felt there was too much going on in the mid section. Personally it works and it feels like you get more than your money’s worth. There is a strong build up to the island, you get to know (and perhaps even care) about the characters and the first appearance of Kong is terrific. From the brontosaur stampede to the V-Rex battle, to the log scene and the swarm of giant nakedbats, there is plenty of perilous adventure in the second act. The extended cut gives you even more spectacular danger with an attack from a Ferrucutus (similar to a Triceratops) to the swamp scene with a serpent like monster called Piranhadon. The action doesn’t stop on Skull Island; the infamous climax is dazzling, striking and truly moving.One of my favourite aspects of this film is the dedication Jackson and Weta put into creating the mythical world of Skull Island. Through “The World of Kong: A Natural History of Skull Island” and the companion faux documentary, the creators developed a treacherous world with so much depth: from detailing an extinct civilisation to creating a giant catalogue of disturbing creatures that lurk in the jungles, swamps and abyssal chasms.There are few 12 (or PG-13) certificate films that contain “frightening scenes”. One sequence in this film rightfully garners this description: men stuck in a pit being attacked and eaten alive by foul bugs, nasty spiders and horrific leeches. Whilst this is only for a few minutes, it’s a scene that will unsettle insectophobes (or even turn you into one).With a genuine heart between beauty and the beast, there is plenty to admire and enjoy in this modern epic.