King Kong (1976)

King Kong: Directed by John Guillermin. With Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, Jessica Lange, John Randolph. A petroleum exploration expedition comes to an isolated island and encounters a colossal giant gorilla.

“Okay, Iu0026#39;ll admit that I was a kid when I first saw this so this review is done wearing rose-colored glasses. But having seen this u0026#39;76 remake of u0026quot;King Kongu0026quot;, my opinion hasnu0026#39;t changed much: itu0026#39;s still great! Maybe not the equal of the original, but how could it be? It does well enough in its own behalf.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe music grabs you right off: John Barry did aces with his pounding, dramatic score. And you couldnu0026#39;t ask for a better cast; Lange does okay for a first role, Bridges makes linear-thought acting look easy and Grodin is about as slimy a baddie as you could ask for. The bit parts are also filled with familiar faces (Bernsen, Piscopo, Auberjoinois, Lauter, Randolph and Lone) who acquit themselves quite well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA lot of people blast the monkey suit. But I think Rick Baker did a good job with it. Of COURSE itu0026#39;s a guy in a monkey suit, but itu0026#39;s a guy in a WELL-DONE monkey suit. It still gets me when Kong blew-dry Dwan (Lange after her waterfall shower); those puffed-out cheeks, especially in 1976, were high tech enough for me (remember, this was before u0026quot;Star Warsu0026quot; came out).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBut we all know how the story works; any of us who have a rudimentary knowledge of the original, that is. The new twist was having the emotional connection between Lange and ape. More enlightened than having her scream endlessly. The Twin Towers scene near the end was not only exciting but quietly moving, as it showed just how much the beast cared for his beauty.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThereu0026#39;s plenty of corn in this one, no argument, but itu0026#39;s corn for a good cause. I loved u0026quot;King Kongu0026quot; and if I had a chance, Iu0026#39;d buy a copy! Anyone have John Guillerminu0026#39;s phone number?u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSeven stars for u0026quot;Kongu0026quot;; long live the u0026quot;Kingu0026quot;!”