Review of Kong: Return to the Jungle

Introduction

`Kong: Return to the Jungle` is a second spin-off movie from `Kong: the animated Series`, and it`s CGI follow-up series, `Kong: The Next Generation`. This particular production may have been inspired by the cash-in opportunities brought about by Peter Jackson revitalising the brand-name with his recent re-make of the classic 1933 movie.

The first Kong TV series used traditional cel animation though erred on the primitive end of the spectrum. The follow-up series, `Kong: the next generation`, was created in CGI which, despite the 3D boast, played out like a bad console game.

From that stable comes `Kong: Return to the Jungle`. The story goes that Lorna Jackson, on hand when the original Kong was shot down, was a brilliant scientist and pioneer of genetic research. Using Kong`s DNA along with a little of her own Grandson`s, she creates a new, more `human` version of the powerful ape.

Through an amazing `cyber-link`, Kong and his human `brother` Jason can merge into a single being which certainly helps to more fully humanise the monster.

This movie actually has more in common with the original King movie than the series ever did, Hunter`s capture Kong, along with some dinosaurs. Back in civilisation (well, Manhattan) , the Dino`s go on a rampage with Kong the only realistic chance of stopping them. There`s also a `celebrity` sub-plot. Imagine that …celebrities and jungles, surely an idea that would never catch on.

Probably sensing just how dire the computer animation looked, someone obviously thought songs might help. They were wrong. They don`t.

Video

A nice transfer of some truly dire CGI.

Audio

Some serious audio-work nearly lifts the terrible visuals to a watchable level. Though even this can`t save the day.

Features

None

Conclusion

There`s CGI and then there`s `cgi`, its poor cousin. The first is sophisticated, painstakingly crafted animation, often completely life-like (`Polar Express`) and the latter is akin to a third rate PSOne game. This movie definitely falls into the latter category and it`s just horrible.

Of course, young fans of either the original animated Kong cartoons, or the very recent so-called 3D version (Series 2) may find a place in their hearts for this sub-standard piece of tat. But with its convoluted and badly penned narrative and dialogue, along with its dull and badly rendered animation vying to put you off, you`d have to be very forgiving indeed to give this any airtime in your home.

Despite some brave voice-dubbing and a decent soundtrack (replete with giant foley fx), this falls so far short of the grade that its impossible to see this as anything other than a low-budget attempt to cash-in on the interest generated by Peter Jackson`s revisit of the classic 1933 movie.

Most the computer generated graphics have come out of India, and the whole package shows all the signs of the Producers taking the same corporate penny-pinching approach that call-centre businesses might by exploiting cheap local labour at any cost. Whatever the reasons, this is a complete turkey and should be avoided at any cost.