Tech News
Reviewed by Chris McEneany, 19th January 2009
King Kong on BD remains an epic fantasy classic, and a prime-time cinematic over-indulgence however it is also seriously malnourished in terms of added value, especially when you consider the wealth of material that has already been made available. Its AV quality is superlative, blending cutting-edge CG with elaborate sets and huge, enveloping vistas with sterling, retina-seducing aplomb and boasting a sound-design that can't fail to take the breath away. From the money-shot big moments to the tiny little, homage-rife details in the background, King Kong's BD delivers the goods in spades. The audio delivery is second to none and truly brings the movie to life, feeding every channel with either bombast or subtlety throughout.
The performances, bar the two from Andy Serkis and that from Watts, are either badly judged or just plain perfunctory. Jackson and Boyens bog their adaptation down with needless subplots and usher in a few too many characters, but their heart is certainly in the right place and the sheer sense of evocation and cinematic might that they conjure is more than enough to smooth over such rough edges. This is grand-scale yarn-spinning and even if many people refuse to be smitten by its sensory overload, there is a lot to admire in such a lavish and comprehensively wrought production. Personally, I love the movie. For all its faults, King Kong 2005-style provides exhilaration, action, mystery and the type of rip-roaring, big screen exuberance that doesn't come along all that often.
Whatever your opinions about the film may be, there is no denying the quality of this transfer. Whether you become overwhelmed by the romance and tragedy of the story, or just simply want to kick back and revel in hi-def glory, King Kong still reigns supreme as a home cinema show-piece that packs in pure AV-junkie nirvana each and every time you spin the disc.
Read the full review...
King Kong on BD remains an epic fantasy classic, and a prime-time cinematic over-indulgence however it is also seriously malnourished in terms of added value, especially when you consider the wealth of material that has already been made available. Its AV quality is superlative, blending cutting-edge CG with elaborate sets and huge, enveloping vistas with sterling, retina-seducing aplomb and boasting a sound-design that can't fail to take the breath away. From the money-shot big moments to the tiny little, homage-rife details in the background, King Kong's BD delivers the goods in spades. The audio delivery is second to none and truly brings the movie to life, feeding every channel with either bombast or subtlety throughout.
The performances, bar the two from Andy Serkis and that from Watts, are either badly judged or just plain perfunctory. Jackson and Boyens bog their adaptation down with needless subplots and usher in a few too many characters, but their heart is certainly in the right place and the sheer sense of evocation and cinematic might that they conjure is more than enough to smooth over such rough edges. This is grand-scale yarn-spinning and even if many people refuse to be smitten by its sensory overload, there is a lot to admire in such a lavish and comprehensively wrought production. Personally, I love the movie. For all its faults, King Kong 2005-style provides exhilaration, action, mystery and the type of rip-roaring, big screen exuberance that doesn't come along all that often.
Whatever your opinions about the film may be, there is no denying the quality of this transfer. Whether you become overwhelmed by the romance and tragedy of the story, or just simply want to kick back and revel in hi-def glory, King Kong still reigns supreme as a home cinema show-piece that packs in pure AV-junkie nirvana each and every time you spin the disc.
Read the full review...