I watched King Kong this evening (the new one starring Jack Black). Good film, it may have lasted 3 hours but it by no means dragged, unlike other long films like Titanic and Alexander.

This film has received some bad press so I wasn’t expecting a master piece. I think a lot of people have compared it to the original movie, which I haven’t actually seen.

Most of the film is set on Skull Island where Jack Black, a film crew and a troop from the ship which travelled to the island. They have to deal with ferocious dinosaurs, which make the ones from Jurassic Park look like Barney, some very creepy insects…. oh and a giant ape called King Kong.

King Kong is kidnapped and taken to New York, by which time he has fallen in love with the main female star Ann (played by Naomi Watts). He then inevitably escapes and wrecks havoc in New York. Hopefully I haven’t spoiled the plot line for anyone but I’m sure most of you could see it coming.

I actually found the film quite scary in places; the natives on the island were very creepy, especially when they gained entry onto the ship. Having a phobia of spiders also made the scenes with the CGI insects very uncomfortable to watch!

It was also sad in places, I never knew I would feel sympathy for a giant, hairy, stinking ape but when he died at the end of the film it was a very sombre moment for me. After all, KK never really did anything wrong, he was the one taken away from his home, imprisoned and then shot dead.

Overall a very good film, far better than I expected. Will watch again when it is released on DVD. Well done Peter Jackson, you haven’t ruined your reputation following Lord of the Rings.