Even as a young kid I was a huge fan of the original 1933 'King Kong.' I recall once seeing a clip of a sequel on TV, but it immediately struck me as silly and nothing like the film I loved, so I readily disregarded it. As it turns out all these years later, what I momentarily saw was a scene in 'King Kong escapes,' and now that I've gotten the chance to watch it - well, it absolutely is a bit silly. But if you're willing to engage with the movie on its level, this is actually pretty entertaining.
KKE is filled with countless moments worthy of skewering a la 'Mystery Science Theater 3000,' but this is a gratifying instance where those jests only enhance the fun, not solely produce it. Consider: a robot executing a perfect "headdesk." A villainous mad scientist wearing a cape. A vehicle most clearly resembling a land cruiser from 'Star Wars.' A MacGuffin, "Element X," that glows like a slow strobe light. An early encounter between the giant ape and a water-faring dino is honestly just hilarious, and another early fight scene is filled with movement that can only be characterized as wiggles. Whether the latter is owing to difficulties in maneuvering in rubber suits or an affect guided by the director is up for debate.
This is to say nothing of dialogue, acting, and even pacing that immediately comes across as ham-handed. While not a true focus of the plot, KKE takes a key narrative theme of its predecessor (Kong's fascination with Ann Darrow; "'tis beauty slayed the beast") and pointedly amplifies it with lines that all but outright state "Kong is MAN!' Above all, the simian himself simply looks goofy, and less than convincing. The legs of the suit are peculiarly small ("he skipped leg day"), and - I beg your pardon, sorry to disrupt suspension of disbelief - there appears to be a rather obvious zipper at the upper back. Whoops!
Still - for all these curiosities: any viewer who can take it in stride and just enjoy the picture for what it is will be in for a good time. The villains are a striking pair, and given marvelously cheeky names of Madame Piranha and Dr. Who (amazing - a version of the doctor that's not a white British person!). Set and costume design is perhaps a little odd, but admirable, especially the many outfits of the villainess. There's fine if pointedly exaggerated attention throughout the production to hair and makeup, which I appreciate. And scenes are arranged well, however inelegant and unwieldy they may sometimes be.
Plot and characterizations are suitable, but not especially noteworthy. After all - this is a kaiju film, and audiences attend for the monsters, not so much for drama, introspection, or profundity. With that said, it's worth mentioning another bizarre aspect of the picture: the fact that it is, amazingly, a joint production between Toho, Universal, and Rankin/Bass. Those are three names I never expected to see together, yet here we are.
It's hardly perfect. In every regard, a fair bit of this feature is plainly ridiculous. Any viewer hoping for a genuinely thrilling, exciting adventure romp is going to be put out, and KKE also so greatly pales in comparison to its progenitor that it's all but a proverbial "red-headed stepchild" (it's fine - I'm ginger myself). But to be fair, it hardly has the same intent behind it, and to read even in passing of the production history informs that this is a mashup of various genres in an effort to produce a very singular piece of cinema.
'King Kong escapes' is rife with deficiencies amounting to arguable ineptitude, and no small amount of foolishness that is surely a turn-off for many. Yet it's also refreshing to just sit back, relax, and join in on the absurd merriment without deep consideration of critiques one would usually impart. If you can just let the movie Be, and be at peace with whatever this is, then it's worth checking out if you come across it.
KKE is filled with countless moments worthy of skewering a la 'Mystery Science Theater 3000,' but this is a gratifying instance where those jests only enhance the fun, not solely produce it. Consider: a robot executing a perfect "headdesk." A villainous mad scientist wearing a cape. A vehicle most clearly resembling a land cruiser from 'Star Wars.' A MacGuffin, "Element X," that glows like a slow strobe light. An early encounter between the giant ape and a water-faring dino is honestly just hilarious, and another early fight scene is filled with movement that can only be characterized as wiggles. Whether the latter is owing to difficulties in maneuvering in rubber suits or an affect guided by the director is up for debate.
This is to say nothing of dialogue, acting, and even pacing that immediately comes across as ham-handed. While not a true focus of the plot, KKE takes a key narrative theme of its predecessor (Kong's fascination with Ann Darrow; "'tis beauty slayed the beast") and pointedly amplifies it with lines that all but outright state "Kong is MAN!' Above all, the simian himself simply looks goofy, and less than convincing. The legs of the suit are peculiarly small ("he skipped leg day"), and - I beg your pardon, sorry to disrupt suspension of disbelief - there appears to be a rather obvious zipper at the upper back. Whoops!
Still - for all these curiosities: any viewer who can take it in stride and just enjoy the picture for what it is will be in for a good time. The villains are a striking pair, and given marvelously cheeky names of Madame Piranha and Dr. Who (amazing - a version of the doctor that's not a white British person!). Set and costume design is perhaps a little odd, but admirable, especially the many outfits of the villainess. There's fine if pointedly exaggerated attention throughout the production to hair and makeup, which I appreciate. And scenes are arranged well, however inelegant and unwieldy they may sometimes be.
Plot and characterizations are suitable, but not especially noteworthy. After all - this is a kaiju film, and audiences attend for the monsters, not so much for drama, introspection, or profundity. With that said, it's worth mentioning another bizarre aspect of the picture: the fact that it is, amazingly, a joint production between Toho, Universal, and Rankin/Bass. Those are three names I never expected to see together, yet here we are.
It's hardly perfect. In every regard, a fair bit of this feature is plainly ridiculous. Any viewer hoping for a genuinely thrilling, exciting adventure romp is going to be put out, and KKE also so greatly pales in comparison to its progenitor that it's all but a proverbial "red-headed stepchild" (it's fine - I'm ginger myself). But to be fair, it hardly has the same intent behind it, and to read even in passing of the production history informs that this is a mashup of various genres in an effort to produce a very singular piece of cinema.
'King Kong escapes' is rife with deficiencies amounting to arguable ineptitude, and no small amount of foolishness that is surely a turn-off for many. Yet it's also refreshing to just sit back, relax, and join in on the absurd merriment without deep consideration of critiques one would usually impart. If you can just let the movie Be, and be at peace with whatever this is, then it's worth checking out if you come across it.