King Kong
User Score
7.1 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 817 out of 1120
  2. Mixed: 70 out of 1120
  3. Negative: 233 out of 1120

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  1. JeremyD.
    Dec 17, 2005
    9
    Excellent movie. An homage to Hollywood really.
  2. DarrelRhea
    Dec 17, 2005
    10
    Delightfully over the top, and then some. This movie is just plain fun!
  3. JeethJ.
    Dec 17, 2005
    9
    The movie was great.....especially the visuals and the expressions of kong......excellent stuff by peter jackson.
  4. FenceSitter
    Dec 17, 2005
    10
    Highly enjoyable, great performance from Andy Serkis.
  5. ChrisM.
    Dec 18, 2005
    9
    If you didn't like it, I feel bad for you.
  6. AndyC.
    Dec 18, 2005
    9
    The only reason this film does not gain a perfect ten is that it is, at the end of the day, a remake. Most of the audience know the end, but what a ride they have on the way! We've had so many years of soulless CGI blockbusters; here the effects are used for a reason. The middle section is the most exciting and fun film I've seen for a long time. In fact I haven't had that much celluloid fun since Raiders of the Lost Ark. Perhaps I need to get out more? I took my ten year old daughter to see this, who has never seen the original. She thoroughly enjoyed every minute. However, she was dry eyed at the end! I suspect the running time of the movie dilutes the impact of Kong's demise; deep down somewhere we are quite relieved to see him go. For my own part I blubbed like a baby. I always laugh when I see so much deep analysis of a film like this. It's the story of a 25 foot tall gorilla that falls in love with a girl, whilst tearing merry hell out of jungle monsters and New York. With that in mind it delivers everything for which you could wish.… Expand
  7. JonahG.
    Dec 18, 2005
    10
    I thought that this was the best major release of the year. Jackson is able to create a tension and passion between Watts and Kong that would is almost impossible. The only detractor from the movie is Adrian Brody, who's character seems lost, as if its role is not fully understood by the writer or the actor. This is a fault that can be forgiven for this is a truly great movie which is able to weave a romantic storyline with incredible action sequences seamlessly.… Expand
  8. EllisVanG.
    Dec 18, 2005
    10
    Great Movie.. Just ask Good as the Lord of The Rings Series. Peter jackson is a Movie Director god!
  9. ArnieG.
    Dec 18, 2005
    10
    Easily the best movie so far of the 21st century.
  10. BitBurn
    Dec 18, 2005
    9
    It's hard too believe that this movie received scores lower than 6, I mean, come on people! Sure, romance is not for everybody but the special effects alone are worth a 6, minimum!
  11. AdamB
    Dec 18, 2005
    9
    Other movies can have dinosaurs besides Jurrasic Park people. Just like to make that clear for those who don't get the dinosaur part. Yes Peter Jackson is known for taking his time with a film and King Kong takes its time. It takes that extra minute or two with scenes to fully flesh them out, and they are well worth it. A great love story, some dialogue wooden, but overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Kong is amazing to look at and a nonstop thrill ride once you hit the Island. Some points in the plot like how they got kong to new york and why Naomi wasn't cold don't matter! I guess it's not realistic because Naomi didn't shiver or fall off at the top of the Empire State Building, but the movie is about a big ape who fights dinosaurs. Scary, funny, and an adrenline rush, Kong delivers on every level. A instant classic. And don't look for racism where isn't any.… Expand
  12. JerryC.
    Dec 18, 2005
    10
    I loved this movie going experience. I had cut way back on theatre going preferring my at home big screen & surround sound. However, this movie needs to be seen on a big screen at least once. The first hour was a little slow but still well done. Once the action started look out! It was incredible!!
  13. Connor
    Dec 19, 2005
    10
    Anyone who would give less than an 8 is insane, this move far surpasses the other ones in many different ways. For one I thought I got to know the characters beter in this one than the other ones. Another the acting was so much better than the other ones, And personally I felt that the 3 hours and 7 min. flow by, because I felt like I was in the movie following the characters paths and getting to know them, thats why i give it a 10.… Expand
  14. MitchellF.
    Dec 19, 2005
    9
    King Kong, a story of a giant ape who falls for a sweet little girl. Fantastic. This movie delivers fantastic special effects, great acting (I believed that Mrs. Watts was with Kong) and 3 hours of non-stop, eye-catching action. Who would have thought that Jack Black could have done such a wonderful job at acting serious. In reviews I see people basing their marks on the fact that is a remake. I myself have never seen the origional movie, so I could watch this movie without that thought. And wow. The only thing about this movie that bugged me, were the bugs. Oh, and director Peter Jackson tended to use some of the same tactics as he used in Lord of the Rings.… Expand
  15. RonL.
    Dec 19, 2005
    9
    Go see this one on the biggest screen possible. This movie is great fun! It's the kind of fun going to the movies is all about. If anyone tries to shoot holes in this one then they went to Kong for the wrong reason. Not going to win an Oscar for screenpla,y but Art Direction without a doubt.
  16. JackDeft
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    Simply brilliant tear jerking worth ur ticket price beautiful cast colossal cgi effects lovely score heart breaking love story tragic ending.
  17. I'mSorryMsJackson
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    Thanks for watching my brilliant movie. What a lot of people don't know is how much work I put in, especially with my 'method' style of direction: I spent many months caged in an Auckland zoo, where I learned what it is to be a primate, and where I lost a lot of weight. When I had achieved a true monkey mentality, Universal shipped me under anaesthetic to the Kong sets, whereupon I was released under strict supervision. The actors were often unable to understand my various grunts, but I felt this created an exciting atmosphere on set, one where noone knew what they were doing. I also tended to throw the camera around when I got bored, but I think this adds to the film's dynamism. It is a shame that I accidentally urinated on the motion control rig, because it created a constant crane loop, sorry about this. Unfortunately the editing room was too small to contain my monkey vitality and we lost one editor cos I chewed on his nose and bashed on his ballsarea. This may have given the film an irregular tempo, but one I'm sure hairy animals will enjoy. On a personal note, I chose to keep the movie long to reproduce how I felt when I was caged in downtown Auckland. There were a few regrettable incidents, like when I threw Jack Black cos I mistook him for a log, but my only real regret is there hadn't been such a debilitating shortage of bananas when we wrote the script.… Expand
  18. JoeyM.
    Dec 21, 2005
    9
    For once, an action movie gets it write. Jackson and his writing team spend enough time on developing the characters for us to actually care about them. When they start to meet their inevitable tragic ends, they aren't just stereotypical "Red Shirts" (to use the Star Trek term) but people we've grown to like. Kong is terrific. He has a fully realized personality and - since Jackson urges you to look at the subtext of the story - you will notice that there is an extra layer of tragedy to the great ape. All the performances are top notch (though, I suppose, if you hate Jack Black, you will hate him in this - I happen to like Jack Black, so there you go). As for the action sequences, the "Kong fights T-Rexes in the vines" sequence is one of the most exciting I've seen in years. Terrific movie and a must see on the big screen.… Expand
  19. JoshC.
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    The best film of the year by far. It deserves alot of credit (especially to Watts, Jackson, Serkis, Black and the effects team) Over all this movie is amazing. The sheer size and scope of it breathtaking and it has some of the best action sequences and set pieces ever put on film. The effects were awesome. A bit fake in some parts but Kong looks about as real as they come. For those who did not like it I reccomend seeing it twice because when you see it a second time you have no hopes you just go to enjoy it and trust me the second time is alot better then the first.… Expand
  20. BrianJ.
    Dec 21, 2005
    10
    Amazing...This is why I love movies.
  21. AnnN.
    Dec 21, 2005
    9
    I'll start out by saying that the T-Rex fight was a bit much, yes. But other than that, this movie was everything it should have been. I believe that you can tell when a film is good if you can understand the relationships between the characters even without sound, and you can easily do that here. It was a great update, filled with emotion and- as every good monster movie should be- a reflection on humanity. It's an old story, but that doesn't mean it's not a good one.… Expand
  22. RickS.
    Dec 22, 2005
    10
    This is a stunning re-telling of the classic story. Peter Jackson is by far the most accomplished visual effects storyteller to date. He makes fantasy a visual reality.
  23. FreddyA.
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    Simply brilliant.
  24. DustinW.
    Dec 22, 2005
    10
    Best movie of the year! It deserves to win Best Picture at the oscars!
  25. BrianC.
    Dec 22, 2005
    10
    Kong rocked. If you didnt like it, that's fine, but realize you are in the minority. I like the fact that Peter Jackson cares about building a story, the characters, plot etc. Holiday, your rating of 0 seems a bit churlish. If you didn't realize the campiness was intentional and designed as part of the characters before they are exposed to Kong, then maybe you shouldn't be throwing out spurious reviews. Ignore the haters, and see this for yourself.… Expand
  26. GregC.
    Dec 23, 2005
    9
    A visual assault from start to finish!! flippin' brilliant!
  27. Kingkong
    Dec 23, 2005
    10
    Wow what a movie...its unbelievable really the eye for detail...the end the beginning everything is fantastic, best movie that i haved see this year really amazing.
  28. LoriU.
    Dec 25, 2005
    10
    The direction in this movie puts all the other originals to shame. Peter Jackson did a superb job in all his character even with King Kong himself. The movie was like a roller-coaster ride all the way through. Definitely a must see film!
  29. Marshman88
    Dec 25, 2005
    10
    Amazing...that's all there is to say.
  30. ParshanB.
    Dec 26, 2005
    10
    This is a masterpiece, It has the best effects and do you know how long and hard it is to make that movie? You have to see it!
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 39
  3. Negative: 1 out of 39
  1. Newsweek
    Reviewed by: Devin Gordon
    90
    A surprisingly tender, even heartbreaking, film. Like the original, it's a tragic tale of beauty and the beast.
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  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jack Mathews
    100
    What a movie! This is how the medium seduced us originally.
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    100
    One of the wonders of the holiday season.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »