Best Version of King Kong?

[MechaGodzilla]

Between the '33, '76 and '05 versions, which one do you think is the best?

I'm holding off on voting until I've rewatched them all again. For me it's probably between the '33 and '05 versions, but I honestly think all three are very good, each being better than the other two in some departments and inferior in others.

[dallywhitty]

I've never seen the '76 version so I won't vote in the poll, but I prefer the original film to Peter Jackson's remake. I really liked the remake but I do think it's long for the sake of being long and I didn't care for how over-sentimental it was. I re-watched the original film a few nights ago and I still think it's brilliant.

[Plissken Fan]

While all 3 are worth watching, I think Jackson's version is amazing (extended edition). The 76' film was a big part of my childhood but honestly hasen't held up well imo.

[hasslein]

You should've added to the poll

The colorized version of 1933
The Extended version of 76 (vs theatrical)
The Extended version of 05 (vs theatrical)

just to make things a little more interesting

I like all three but I don't see how anyone can pick 76 or 05 over 1933 version. 76 is my second choice then 05, in order of preference.

[Abby is Q]

King Kong Lives closely followed by King Kong Escapes.

Seriously though, the original is one of the greatest and most influential films ever. One of my favs.

[Angel Eyes]

1976 is my favorite (as I grew up with it) although 1933 is a much better film and a classic. 2005 was awful....

[Race Bannon]

1933 towers over the other two.

1976 has a special place in my heart.

2005 is a technical masterpiece but somehow without life. And I don't like that they made him look exactly like a gorilla. He was always just an unspecific man-ape.

[Dwayne Hicks]

1976 by far.

Then King Kong Lives.

Followed by 1933.

The rest don't exist for me.

[Randall Flagg]

1933.

Where is King Kong vs Godzilla?

[AaronJ]

I went with Jackson's version. I really enjoy it. But it was a tough call, as both the original and the '76 version are excellent in their own way.

Also, the '76 version is when I fell in love with Jessica Lange.

[HotRats]

The original. 1976 has ropey effects and 2005 is way too long and has Jack Black

[L.J.]

33 is my favorite followed closely by 05 then 76. Have always enjoyed all three films. Son of Kong is a decent sequel to the 33 version.

[chris_sc77]

extended edition of 2005 version.
great film

[L.J.]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

extended edition of 2005 version.
great film

Agree with you there.

[wonkavision]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Also, the '76 version is when I fell in love with Jessica Lange.

Same here...although now when I watch it, I just fall asleep.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

I've never seen the '76 version so I won't vote in the poll, but I prefer the original film to Peter Jackson's remake. I really liked the remake but I do think it's long for the sake of being long and I didn't care for how over-sentimental it was. I re-watched the original film a few nights ago and I still think it's brilliant.

I recommend checking out the '76 version sometime, any way you can get your hands on it. I'd say it's probably the weakest of the three overall, but still a very good film in its own right. Jackson's version owes a lot to it, as you can tell he got many of his ideas from it.

When I rewatched all three a month or so ago, I also couldn't help but wonder if Spielberg took some cues from it for Jurassic Park. Many of the scenes on the island were shot on location in Kauai, which JP would be nearly 20 years later as well, and in addition to making Skull Island look more beautiful than ever it also makes it look a lot like the islands in the JP movies. Kong's introduction also feels like something straight out of those films; it takes place at night and when he's approaching from within the jungle we see the trees moving and falling over.

Originally Posted by hasslein

You should've added to the poll

The colorized version of 1933
The Extended version of 76 (vs theatrical)
The Extended version of 05 (vs theatrical)

just to make things a little more interesting

I like all three but I don't see how anyone can pick 76 or 05 over 1933 version. 76 is my second choice then 05, in order of preference.

The colorized version of '33, TV cut of '76 and extended cut of '05, any alternate versions, are counted as the same movie so whatever you prefer, just vote for that film. Listing all of them separately would just clutter the poll.

Originally Posted by Race Bannon

1933 towers over the other two.

1976 has a special place in my heart.

2005 is a technical masterpiece but somehow without life. And I don't like that they made him look exactly like a gorilla. He was always just an unspecific man-ape.

Well, he was always based on a gorilla, though obviously not completely. I do find it interesting how each new version becomes more gorilla-like in terms of design. The original is more like a gorilla-like monster almost, the second looks more like a real gorilla but the human proportions and upright stance still makes him feel like something different and otherworldly. Then Jackson went ahead and literally made him a giant silverback. I like all three versions, and it's interesting to see the different filmmakers of different eras give us their own unique interpretations of him. I do kinda hope Skull Island does the opposite of Jackson's version and makes him look really monstrous, mean and nasty.

Originally Posted by Dwayne Hicks

1976 by far.

Then King Kong Lives.

Followed by 1933.

The rest don't exist for me.

King Kong Lives above the '33 and '05 versions? Well, that's an unusual opinion to say the least. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, threads like this wouldn't be as fun if everyone thought exactly the same.

Originally Posted by Randall Flagg

1933.

Where is King Kong vs Godzilla?

I wanted this poll to just be about the different versions of the original story, I'm quite aware of the spin-offs and sequels and such, but I left them out on purpose. I just want to see which of the "main" movies is the most popular with users here.

[hasslein]

I had forgotten about this until this thread, In 2005 my girlfriend's 7 year old son saw Kong 2005 & loved it. I told him, if you liked that one, you'll love this one & gave him the 1933 version. After he saw it, he said he didn't like it at all, when I asked him why he said, "In this one she didn't love Kong, she was just scared." Very interesting....

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by hasslein

I had forgotten about this until this thread, In 2005 my girlfriend's 7 year old son saw Kong 2005 & loved it. I told him, if you liked that one, you'll love this one & gave him the 1933 version. After he saw it, he said he didn't like it at all, when I asked him why he said, "In this one she didn't love Kong, she was just scared." Very interesting....

Very interesting, indeed. I think that a huge part of how I feel about the 2005 version is exactly how your son felt. Of course, my being a huge Naomi Watts fan doesn't hurt. But there is this very emotional underbelly to the 2005 version, and that hit home for me.

[The Great Owl]

The 1933 King Kong is one of my all-time favorite movies, and it's still one of the best-paced movies in history.

[hasslein]

When I saw Star Wars as a kid, one of the things that made it so appealing to me was Han Solo reminded me of Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot)

The one shot in the 76 extended version that I wish was in the theatrical version - (do I really need to spoiler?)

[Show spoiler]Grodin's hat in Kong's footprint. Interesting, I always thought it meant he was stomped in the ground, but I read in a Kong book it was cut because it meant he got away...

Kong bursting through the wall is ridiculous in the 76 extended cut, it goes on & on with shots reused over & over.