Tales From The Industry, III

Well, what can I say? I've no idea how to begin. I decided to disappear for half the day (I'll be working into the night as recompense, in case anyone is keeping track) and go to one of the private press screenings of Peter Jackson's King Kong. It was held at the Arclight, that wonderful movie theatre I've told you about many times before. It was quite an event. I cannot show you any pictures of the gathering people, etc, because they basically forbade any electronic devices whatsoever from the theatre. I'm not kidding. They turned people away who did not listen, thinking that if it did not have a camera it did not matter. They had metal detectors and security wands. They were deadly serious. The staff I spoke to said that they'd never seen anything like that level of security for a movie preview. What were they trying to protect? I presume it is concerns over piracy. They want this movie to be huge.....HUGE. We were filed into the theatre, and I was anticipating logistical problems. I was on my own, and there was a scramble for seats (the Arclight routinely allows you to reserve your seats for normal showings -they are yours; you paid for them (why don't all theatres do this?)- and this is one of the reasons why it is probably the best movie theatre anywhere) because this was not a regular showing, and tickets are handed out once they have seen your invitation and checked out that you're not a spy of some sort. Since I was on my own, how was I going to snag a good seat and then get back out for popcorn and a drink and keep my seat? (This is a three hour movie after all.) No problem. This was a classy organisation: They had tables full of complimentary popcorn and beverages for you to pick up as you went in. I've not had that at a preview before, but maybe this is because it was a press screening and not a test showing.... the two are different. The drinks and popcorn were those super-giant sized ones that I never buy because I can't eat and drink that much junk on my own, but I had no choice. They were nicely decorated with stills from the movie, which was appropriate. Unbelievably, I got nearly the perfect seat. The movie was not in the Dome, although I suspect that is where they'll open it for general audiences. It was in one of the hardly less excellent theatres with the super-giant screens, plush seating and wonderful sound. (Actually, all the theatres in the Arclight fit that description.) There was a buzz of excitement, and they did a good job of generating good will with all the free stuff. Now I know that I'm a pawn in their hands by telling you about the movie, since I am contributing to "word of mouth" buzz that can help to..... "Shut up and tell us about the movie!", I hear you cry. Ok. How was it? Well, let's get something out of the way right away. As some colleagues of mine who are of a certain generation sometimes say with a straight face: "There's an 800 pound gorilla in the room", i.e., there's something important that I'm not mentioning....what is not being mentioned? Why, the fact that there's a 25 foot tall gorilla in the movie!. (I've always wanted to say that.) That was not a spoiler. Everyone knows that. I just wanted to remind you, as we need to be fully aware that this is a silly subject, with a silly plot, and that it is in principle a B-movie about someone trying to make a C-movie..... Ok. You know the plot, and I do not reveal the details of contents of movies so as not to spoil anything. I will just say that I like it. I really really like it. The film seems a bit like two films, strangely enough, but this might be intentional. The first part in New York centering on the character development of the various show-biz types is a bit mixed. Charmingly deliberately old-world, but still mixed. There is some clunky dialogue and ham acting in places and I worried that the film won't get its footing, and will stumble around for three hours. Also, I noticed that the sound seemed very one-dimensional (almost mono), and thought to myself "oh, so that's the special treatment they are reserving for actual paying customers". I suspect that mostly all of this was deliberate..... When they get to Skull Island, finally Peter Jackson of the Lord of the Rings films shows up. He seriously shows up! This is the second movie within the movie. I think he was hiding in the first, for dramatic effect....I noticed that the sound gets more and more depth as they approach the island and then goes fully three dimensional. The sound and visuals build and build and just won't let you go, from that point.... to the last frame. Ah, the visuals. What can I say? After you get to a certain age, and have seen a lot of movies you get to feeling that you've seen most movie visual spectacles, and say when you see a really good one "yep, that's pretty well done there; nice work by the effects department", and reach for the popcorn..... However, ocassionally there is the odd movie that just takes it to another level and you are like a kid again, seeing the movies for the first time, and you are rocking and rolling and ducking and cringing in your seat with every twist and turn. The last time that happened was three times in a row, with the sequences that were in the three Lord of the Rings movies. They just got more amazing; the filmmakers were outdoing themselves with every film. There were extended sequences that ought to have ended at a certain standard point, by normal standards and expectations, but then just keep going and going and keeping you beyond the edge of your seat. Like they did so well with the Battle of the Pelennor fields... Or the seige at Helm's Deep. (If you've no idea what I'm talking about, never mind.) Well, yes, it is indeed the same people here, and they d it all again. Summary: Peter Jackson turned up for the second 3/4 of the film, and he brought everybody from TLOR with him! They did it again. (Oh, and there was only one ending this time....) And I finished my giant drink and giant popcorn....the movie was ideal for that somehow.... The story, you know. The screenwriters (Fran Walh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson) managed to make it fresh again, and you get sucked into the love story (for that is what it really is, as I hope you know) and Naomi Watts is just excellently cast (isn't she always though?) and does a great job. Andy Serkis gives Kong some genuinely delicate moments, right alongside the wonderful rages. Jack Black is great as the B-movie director, and Adrien Brody is very good too. And the supporting cast is also marvellous. I'll stop here. I know I'm a pawn in the hands of the film-makers and the studio..... But it is a good piece of work, recalling all the great aspects of making a truly entertaining movie. It deserves to be seen. And in a movie theatre. Don't wait to see it on your TV/DVD/Video. Oh, and spit on any pirate copy offered to you and hand it back. -cvj