Film Review

Space & Environment

King Kong
Directors: Merian Cooper & Ernest Shoedsack

Figure 1

Figure 2

King Kong (1933) is a black and white adventure film that was produced by both Merian Cooper and Ernest Shoedsack. King Kong was produced during the pre-code era where films begun introducing sound to picture. The film depicts a narrative, telling the story of a film maker who travels to a nightmarish Skull Island, where they encounter a larger-than-life gorilla that takes a liking to their beautiful female film star. Kong is notable for its innovative stop-motion animation that was developed by animator and special effects pioneer, Willis OBrien. Additionally, its dynamic musical score produced by Max Steiner added to the overall cinematic affect. Due both of these aspects, the film was considered to be ahead of its time and blew away the expectations of audiences due to its flexibility and creative flair in an exciting narrative which is presented through these inventive visuals and the equally as stirring musical score. Willis O'Brien created impressive effects that were not only technically brilliant, but also highly imaginative in terms of cinematic action. The pace of the film is both fast and quite fluid. Max Steiner's music adds fantastic atmosphere (it also helped lay down some of the basic rules of motion pictures scoring). (Haflidason, 2001) The animation and score indeed had a huge impact on the films success and its influence in modern film; however other skilful effects through the films production helped to build on the films accomplishments.

The vast step in set design gave the immersive environments believable perspectives which develop fantastical atmospheres through the mysterious moods that are introduced by the use of other effects such as limited lighting and the way in which the giant creatures are established within these giant, imaginative scenes. All of these innovative methods have influenced many popular and successful modern films, that share similar themes or ideas that have gained inspiration from the original revolution which Kong helped start. King Kong is the father of Jurassic Park, the Alien movies and countless other stories in which heroes are terrified by skilful special effects. (Ebert, 2003)

Figure 3 Since the films release, it has been deemed culturally, historically and aesthetically significant. An exploration within Kong is the idea of the power of the white man and how the development of separate civilisations has progressed at different rates. The primal tribes on Skull Island reflect a degrading theme on certain ethnicities which introduce stereotypical depictions of black cultures and their primitive natures. However, the civilised white men are portrayed in a way which depresses other cultures that, in turn, also mirror the social and ethnics problems happening during the time of the films production. A way in which this is also expressed is through the transformation of Kong himself. Kong is witnessed to be transformed from dreaded and seemingly unstoppable beast on Skull Island, to being an icon which offered a representation of the superiority man that could also have reference to the advance in these civil societies. Furthermore, this could also be representation of racist themes with Kong symbolising black cultures being demeaned by civilised culture (Figure 2). On Skull Island, Kong is a feared god. Once within the realm of the civilized world, he is reduced to a pathetic curiosity and even when he attempts to ascend the Empire State building, he is still easily put down by man's technological prowess. The Empire State building here serves as a symbol of man's dominance that no beast can challenge. (Redlien, 2011) (Figure 3)

King Kong was a huge step in the right direction for cinema during the time it was made due to the restrictions it defied both technically and socially, exceeding outlooks from critics and audiences a-like, with visually pleasing effects and an understandable, attracting plot.

Review Bibliography

References Haflidason, A (2001) available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk; http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/01/30/king_kong_1933_review.shtml [accessed online on 13 October 2012]. Ebert, R (2003) available at: http://rogerebert.suntimes.com; http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020203/REVIEWS08/2 02030301/1023 [accessed online on 13 October 2012]. Redlien, J (2011) available at: http://queeringthecloset.blogspot.co.uk; http://queeringthecloset.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/classic-review-king-kong1933.html [accessed online on 15 2012]

Images Figure 1: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Kingkongposter.jpg/2 20px-Kingkongposter.jpg Figure 2: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/88/Img_kingkong1.jpg Figure 3: http://www.weareprivate.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/King-Kong-1933dir.-Merian-C.-Cooper-Ernest-B.-Schoedsack-tumblr_lsbbi6WH201qzdvhi.jpg