O Poderoso Kong

This film has everything that kids could want...a fun musical score and enough action to hold their interest. In these days of even G rated films containing questionable scenes/language, its a relief to see something that is safe and fun.

The Sherman Brothers (THE TIGGER MOVIE, MARY POPPINS, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, CHARLOTTE'S WEB) provide a terrifically witty score for this musical retelling of the King Kong story. I had the opportunity of seeing this film in a theatre when it first opened in 1998 and the audience actually laughed out loud at some of the lyrical humor. The ballad, "I've Known You All My Life" is beautiful and may one day be thought of as a classic! Dudley Moore's vocal portrayal of C.B.Denham was terrific-- sadly, it may have been his final performance. He sings in the film as does Jodi Benson (ALADDIN).

Genre: Cartoon remake, America, Scary island, Film stars. ? ? Actors: The one and only Dudley Moore :-) (C.B Denham) and Jodi Benson, (Anne).

Main characters: C.B Denham, Anne and the mighty Kong.?

What happens: Those of you who have watched the original of this (or another remake) will know the story (I didn't). An ambitious film director is making a motion picture – but he has one thing lacking… His star. Oh dear. Luckily, he finds a beautiful and feisty apple thief Anne and within eight hours she is on a cruise ship to their film setting! It turns out things don't go as planned though…

My thoughts: I like this remake. Already the songs are going around in my head (pleasantly luckily) and also good bits of the film. I like the film itself, never having seen any Kong film or series beforehand. The characters, actors, story and action are enjoyable, pleasant and also exciting. One highlight of the film for me was Dudley Moore, whom I really like (even though I've only seen him in about one other thing). Jodi Benson, the same girl who gave us our little red-haired mermaid is here too as Anne! ? ? The songs are enjoyable, as I've told you before. Some people may not like them. For one thing there are quite a few and they are mainly aimed for the enjoyment of children (well – I guess this whole film was aimed for children REALLY). Some cautious parents may wish to fast forward some of the scary parts for young children. Some of the explosions, some of the dinosaurs and the screaming may be unpleasant for both adults and children. Also, some people might not like the sidekicks, a monkey and a boy. I myself thought they enhanced the entertainment and friendliness of the film, of course others may think otherwise. So all in all, not perfect, but I certainly enjoyed this film!

Recommended to: People who would like a harmless remake, the BFK(big friendly kong), children and families who enjoy an average yet very pleasant children's film. Enjoy! :-)

This is was not a good idea. To make a remake of a monster movie and make it kid friendly. The original King Kong is one of the scariest movie of all time. And this animated remake is sappy. It has a bunch of awful music numbers. See Son of Kong. That is good movie. If you have seen the original King Kong there is no point to seeing this movie. King Kong vs Godzilla is so such better then this movie. King Kong escapes is also a lot better. The 1976 remake of King Kong is also a lot better. This is a very scary movie. King Kong lives is a lot better. the Animated series of Kong from 2000-2006 is also a lot better. Kong King of Atlats is also a lot better. The King Kong remake from 2005 is very scary. That is also a lot better. Kong Skull island is also a lot better. This movie is just campy. I do not believe in the rating system. If I would a kid to know the story of King Kong. I would shown them any version except this one. It is so stupid. 5.1 is overrating this movie. I give this 4. Do not see it. See any live action version of King Kong do not see this.

One can't help but raise an eyebrow at the curious concoction that is The Mighty Kong. On paper, it boasts a pedigree ripe for cineastic fireworks: the legendary vocal talents of Dudley Moore tackling both the bombastic filmmaker Carl Denham and the mighty ape himself, and a score courtesy of the Sherman Brothers, the musical masterminds behind Mary Poppins. Anticipation soars.

But then the film flickers to life, and reality crashes down with the weight of a poorly animated steamship. The Mighty Kong suffers from a case of severe budgetary anemia. The animation is a far cry from Disney's polished perfection, with characters that jerk around the screen and faces that morph uncomfortably with every expression.

The narrative, too, is a predictable beast, a rote rehash of the classic King Kong tale with a Beauty and the Beast garnish thrown in for good measure. Thankfully, the damsel in distress avoids the typical demise this time around. There's even a shoehorned-in child sidekick, a desperate attempt to lure the younger set, that feels as unnecessary as a monocle on a clown.

Despite these shortcomings, The Mighty Kong isn't entirely without charm. The period setting offers a certain nostalgic appeal, and the sheer audacity of Moore's dual role (executed with varying degrees of success, it must be said) is undeniably intriguing. The Sherman Brothers' score, while not their strongest work, provides a few toe-tapping moments.

Ultimately, The Mighty Kong is a cinematic oddity - a lo-fi lullaby to a classic tale. It might hold some appeal for die-hard Kong enthusiasts or those with a penchant for delightfully strange films. But for most viewers, this ape will likely leave them scratching their heads and yearning for the mighty original.