We saw how Dracula's son (maybe) continued the legacy of his father, but still failed to figure out to, you know, not die in the end. Maybe another son will do this better. Let's find out in the sequel to a true classic...
Yeah, this was a popular way to do sequels back in the day. Don't get me started on how many different 'So-and-so Son of Hercules' films there are out there. Sufficed to say, when you make a film called Son of Cleopatra, you've milked the series to death. What a painful way to go.
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This film decides not to change the setting. Hurray for continuity! Oh wait, this only lasts a little while. Hurray for a little continuity, I guess! Actually, the film is a solid, direct sequel that has a story idea that would sort of be stolen later by Ghostbusters 2. No, the son of Kong does not fight red, alien goo. You're thinking of Son of Blob, who is red, alien goo.
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In the wake of King Kong's arrival in New York city and near-destruction of said city, the man who brought him there is a social pariah. He is ducking lawsuits from those injured, people looking for interviews and the city trying to get him to pay for damages. He quickly leaves the city with an old friend on a steamer.
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They arrive in Morocco and, naturally, go off to see a show. They spot a young lady performing there and think that she is quite hot...I mean, talented. But their talent scouting does not go without issues. Some dubious businessman that our hero and his friend had done business with in the past are hanging around and want to do business with her as well. Suddenly, this film is turning in Be Cool- not really the best thing. Since this is a mainstream film made before 1966, we get a scene with fire. Of course!
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Sufficed to say, the girl's dad is killed, her home is burned down and she has nothing to live by. Naturally, she joins the two strangers on a trip to a mysterious island to find a mysterious beast. Why not? At this point, you're wondering why I haven't talked about the titular son of Kong. There's a reason- he has not shown up yet! Over forty-five minutes into the film and not a glimpse of him yet. This is not a movie for action junkies, so much as plot junkies.
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To cut a long story short, they get to the island and discover a large, white ape. I think Kong's wife was sleeping around, people! He shows up just in time to save them from a dinosaur. Just one though. Obviously, the stop-motion budget was not huge in this movie. The monster and ape battle as Skull Island's foundation begins to shake apart. Why? Good question. Our heroes escape and the monsters disappear. So much for Son of Kong 2: Electric Boogaloo.
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Is this a good movie? Honestly, yes. It is not best to be compared directly to its precursor though. The movie is an interesting experiment in putting plot over action and effects. So yeah, most people are not going to like it. The movie deserves a little bit more attention than it gets though...which is none. Give this movie a try if you want to see how a direct sequel can dare to be different. If not, rent the classic film King Kong. It is great.
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You want more sons? Okay, I'll give you the big daddy of them all. Stay tuned...
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