King Kong Blu-ray Review

The remake of King Kong is one of the best movies of the last decade. After the jump, you can read my review of the blu-ray.






Release Date: Jan 20th, 2009

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 1080p
Runtime: 3hr 7min (theatrical)/ 3hr 22min (extended)
Discs: 1

The Package: King Kong comes to us in a standard blu-ray amray. The cover art is clean and attractive. The disc art is simplistic and nice. There is no insert.

The Picture: Framed at 2.35:1, this 1080p transfer is first rate. The transfer is clean and there is no evidence of edge enhancement. The black levels are deep, as evident in Kong's fur. The picture is strong, even at certain points in the movie where a dream-like look was sought after. Flesh tones are natural and life-like.

The Sound: Kong has never sound so good as in the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Because the movie has a number of action sequences, the surrounds get quite the workout. Dialogue, however, does not take a back seat to the action, as it is clear and precisive.

The Goodies: In November 2006, the extended version of King Kong was release on dvd in an impressive 3-disc set. There is only one extra carried over from that extas packed edition.

Audio Commentary: This is the commentary that was found on the 3-disc dvd and it doesn't disappoint. Director Peter Jackson and Co-Writer Phillipa Boyens give a very good track, giving us background on the movie and talking about the scenes added to the extended edition. This is a very solid track.

U-Control: Universal keeps trying to jam this feature down our throats. While I have no problem with U-Control on movies that it benefits, I do have a problem with Universal cutting up or retrofitting material to fit into the U-Control mold. King Kong is one of the latter cases.

                         -Picture in Picture: Culled from the
                          documentary that is found on the
                          3-disc, this PiP track is very informative
                          if a little too formal.

                        -Art Galleries: As the movie plays, we
                         are given all types of art work that was
                         used to create Kong and Skull Island.
                         This is a nice feature, as we are given
                         art that was used and art that wasn't
                         used, so we get to see the evolution of
                         Kong.

The Film: King Kong is a wonder adventure. Peter Jackson has faithfully remade a movie that is considered a classic. While some say that he added too much to the movie (the many different creatures), these additions are essential to the world that Jackson was creating.

The special effects are a wonder too. Kong is so fully realized that we begin to have sympathy for him. While the original Kong was more of a wild beast, this Kong has feelings. He is trying to protect the girl, instead of trying to "keep" her.

Jackson has made a great adventure movie, something that Hollywood has forgotten how to make. King Kong is a truly breathtaking experience that will be remembered for years to come.
Overall: I really like the presentation here, but wish that Universal had given us the special features from the 3-disc dvd edition. The picture and the audio are outstanding and what special features we do get are really good.

The Scores

The Picture: ****
The Sound: ****
The Goodies: ***1/2
The Film ****

Overall Score: ***1/2 (not an average)