KING KONG

KING KONG: For anyone born after 1970, Dino De Laurentis’ version of King Kong is most likely the definitive version. Sad but true. And while it doesn’t hold a candle the original (where’s all the damn dinosaurs?), there are still some moments that rise above the overall embarrassment. Director John Guillermin stages Kong’s crash through the natives’ wall with considerable skill and effect while composer John Barry’s score is suitably bigger than life. Jessica Lange, as the object of Kong’s overtly sexual attention, comes off as the dumbest blonde in history while Jeff Bridges sports a Grizzly Adams beard...presumably to disguise his identity. But the big letdown is the film’s special effects (which Dino bragged would put the original to shame) made up mostly of Rick Baker in an ape suit along with an even worse-looking mechanical version. Even so, the film is endearingly goofy and the location photography gives it an epic scale even if the execution is second-rate. Extras include a theatrical trailer along with remixed 5.1 sound. THE FLICKS: It’s scary to think that the world may have outgrown Jim Henson’s Muppets. Sure, Sesame Street is still a staple on Public Television, but even that family tradition has added more “contemporary” characters to remain relevant. The Muppets were always the more adult alternative and, like the shrinking middle class, there seems to be less and less of an audience left to appreciate them. The Muppet Movie came on the heels of the successful syndicated show and stuck to the winning formula of slapstick humor, guest stars and Catskills comedy routines. The movie-within-a-movie format follows Kermit on his journey from the simplicity of the swamp to fame and fortune in Hollywood, picking up the familiar cast of Muppet characters along the way. Fozzie is a failed comic. Dr. Teeth and the band are playing for church functions. And Miss Piggy is a beauty contest winner. They all hitch a ride on the soundtrack with catchy songs co-written by 70’s stalwart Paul Williams. Despite a few showy effects that reveal the characters from head-to-toe for the first time (Kermit’s bike ride is still rather convincing), the movie focuses on the family relationship between its characters and Henson’s goal of “making people happy.” Using the road movie format keeps the plot interesting and the celebrity cameos frequent (Steve Martin is funnier in his 30 seconds here than in his last 5 movies combined). But most of all The Muppet Movie is simply a good-natured adventure that wears its heart on its sleeve. The sequels that followed, while sticking to Henson’s principles, never quite recaptured that magical debut, but are worthwhile family films in their own right. The Great Muppet Caper actually saw Henson take over as director, which ironically resulted in much more elaborate sequences including a Busby Berkely-style number for Miss Piggy complete with synchronized swimming. Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo are investigative journalists on assignment in London to track down a jewel thief. The music numbers aren’t quite up to par this time around with “Happiness Hotel” being the only real toe-tapper. But Piggy, who was unusually subdued in the first film, basically runs off with the movie, including a hilarious love-affair with co-star Charles Grodin and a very Python-esque scene with John Cleese. The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island were both produced after Jim Henson’s death and suffer a bit from the loss. The jokes are still groaners and the characterizations (mostly from Frank Oz) are still spot on, but the heart and soul of the franchise beats just a tad slower. THE FEATURES: Disney has released all four films on “Anniversary Edition” DVDs with both widescreen and full screen transfers. While the more recent titles Christmas Carol and Treasure Island look fantastic, the first two entries don’t look considerably better than your old VHS. Slightly disappointing. The special features include Pepe’s Profiles, a celebrity profile of Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Fozzie, made up of interviews and clips of their careers. Christmas Carol also adds a commentary by director Brian Henson.