King Kong (1933) vs. King Kong (2005)

The 2005 remake of King Kong, and the 1933 original are both excellent movies; if you like one, you will like the other. They both have a fascinating story, a plethora of strong characters, even the same cheesy monster fights. Without detracting at all from the original film, the remake updates the cinematography and special effects to modern standards. This is not to say that modern standards are inherently better, merely that they allow the film to connect more easily with contemporary audiences.

It is fascinating to see virtually the same movie told from two different perspectives. Both could be called "Hollywood movies" (though not necessarily in the literal sense) but the culture of America in the 1920s has a distinctly different flavor than the globalization of 2005, and although both movies are set in the 20s, the differences are striking. Obviously, the use of CG vs. stop-motion animation and color vs. black and white film, but even the way people talk, and the nuances of relationships are heavily influenced by their respective cultures. For example, in the 1920s, no apology was necessary for the implication that women (such as the heroine, Ann Darrow) were frail, and that men were their protectors. In 2005, the movie bends Ann's character ever so slightly to accommodate modern cultural views; she is still largely a pawn in the overall plot of the movie, but she is a more strong-willed and self-confident pawn.

I may be one of the few people who watched the 2005 remake of King Kong before watching the 1933 original. I don't recommend this, for two reasons: first, the remake builds on the original in a myriad of ways, paying homage to shots and actions, characters and even quoting specific lines. Watching the original, I found myself constantly back-comparing, thinking about the history of the movies, instead of moving ahead with the story. Second, it's easier to appreciate the enduring quality of the original, and the faithfulness and improvements of the remake when you watch them in that order.

Yesterday I bought the remake, and I'm looking forward to watching all the DVD extras!