Rating: 70/100

AFI Top 100: #41

Another day, another black and white film, another AFI movie off the list. I told you we’d start flying through these once we got past that last hurdle. I’d like to thank my friends for making it possible. For keeping us on the straight and narrow. And to all the great artists for making King Kong.

Oh gosh have I been waiting to watch this movie. 

The classic that started it all….

I’ve never been drawn to the newer side of the franchise. However, watching a pioneer in special FX was a different story. And it didn’t disappoint. I was blown away with what they achieved during a time when there was no falling back on a computer to make what you wanted. Especially when the film industry was still relatively new. They used everything in King Kong, from stop motion to rear projection, to miniatures, and matte paintings. 

Don’t go into the film thinking it’s the blockbuster of the ages. The thing doesn’t age that well… the strings are very apparent. But for the 1930s, it’s mind blowing. What got me was the layering of the different techniques so that they could have the FX with the actors. Hard to do when your monster is about 18 feet tall. So put on those rose colored glasses and remember what you’re watching here. If you can do that, I’m sure you’ll be just as impressed as I was. 

The special FX, though amazing, wasn’t the only thing to date the movie. Let’s start with that scream. Who knew screams could be changed through the generations? I’m starting to think I can just listen and call out what decade a movie is from. So you’ve got that iconic 30s scream, what else? How about the tiresome plot that the girl needs to be saved from a horrible monster, because she clearly cannot save herself. Not that I was surprised at all. The girl needing to be saved is the sole premise of the entire franchise. Even if you haven’t seen King Kong, you know that much. There was no fighting back on her part either. She tried but for some reason she couldn’t stop fainting. 

I wish that was the only lacking trope, but the way women were painted in general in the movie was wrong. The comments back then would not be tolerated today. Then you have me pausing halfway through the movie to ask if the native scenes were racist. I didn’t see any blatant issues, but that doesn’t mean that they weren’t there and I don’t have the experience to see them. 

Moving past these obvious issues, do I still recommend it? Yes. Do I think that all art made during these dark times should be ignored? No, I don’t. King Kong opened a lot of doors and imagination for the movies that we love today. It pushed those boundaries. It’s a classic. I personally think that it needs to be higher up the AFI list. And I do think you need to go into it with a clear idea of what you're watching. 

Plot wise… even if you’ve never seen the movie, I think it’s clear what the premise is. Pop culture references alone spoiled that for all of us ages ago. There’s nothing to surprise you. Unless we count the intro. I wasn’t ready for the way the actress was picked up. It’s just another issue…. 

Now onto the next AFI movie on the list… Bonnie and Clyde. Another classic that I’ve been excited to watch. 

Happy Watching

Love Kait