King Kong Lives



Synopsis

Turns out Kong didn’t die at the foot of the World Trade Center. He’s been kept alive(though in a coma) in a University lab for the last ten years. Linda Hamilton has designed a hugeartificial heart for him, but he needs a massive blood transfusion. By lucky coincidence,adventurer Brian Kerwin is wandering around a set that is supposed to be Borneo, and hestumbles upon a female Kong. A half-dozen tribesmen with blowdarts promptly sedate her (asimple solution to monster trou…les that will evade the US Army for the rest of the movie), andshe is shipped off to the States for the most unintentionally hilarious surgery scene evercommitted to celluloid. Before long, the two apes escape, and many groan-inducing adventuresfollow, as the army, led by a psychotic colonel, chase after the monsters.

This is perhaps the most perfect film example of the adding insult to injury (the injury beingthe 1976 remake). Each succeeding second of the film is more embarrassing than the last. Interms of camp value, the flick is hard to beat, even as it desecrates a legend. The special effectsare quite cheesy, and in fact look far less convincing than those from the 1933 original. Forconnoisseurs of serious trash only.

Audio

The trash does, however, come in a pretty nice sound package (both 5.1 and 2.0). The musicis thunderous, and the environmental effects are pretty solid for 1986 release. some of thesurround effects aren’t too carefully placed, however, with some inappropriate effects emergingfrom the rear speakers.

Video

A very definite step up from the VHS release, as the film’s 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreenaspect is preserved. The colours, contrasts and blacks are all very good, and there is no edgeenhancement. There is some aging of the print, however. There is a bit of grain, and somespeckling now and then.

Special Features

None.

Closing Thoughts

Spectacularly bad in every conceivable way (and even in some fairly inconceivable ways),and thus rather entertaining.