Monster Discussion #12: King Kong

[Goji]

Who knows if he saw anything on or about the film. He would have had to seek out information on it back then, and that just seems rather unlikely from someone who was screwed over by John Beck because of the project. I kind of doubt he read Famous Monsters Of Filmland, which probably would have been American's only real exposure to that film (prior to it's release) here in America.

[gojira012]

I really HATE to say it, really I do, but the suit used in the crappy 1975 King Kong remake was better than that suit.

[Armor Mothra]

King kong never really caught my attention, I don't know why, he's just too...I can't explain it, I guess I just plain don't like the character.

[GodzillaDude]

Aside from the suit I liked King Kong in this film. And I really enjoy the Giant Octopus scene where it shows Kong for the first time in KKvG. Did I mention that is was the second Godzilla film I'd ever seen? The first being G2k.

[GodzillaDude]

My question for you tonight is what your thoughts are on the King Kong vs. Godzilla version of Kong. I personally loved this version of him. He seemed very powerful I especially love the scene where it shows him running through the city stomping on the little houses! I love the roar they gave him too! Very memorable roar! The suit wasn't the greatest but it has grown on me these past few years. What are your thoughts?

[edgaguirus]

It was a better suit than what we got in KKE.

Suit aside, Kong was a strong and intelligent kaiju. His physical prowess was equal to Godzilla's, but he showed more tactical skill. Overall, Kong's performance was pleasing.

[James23873]

^ Agreed, his performance was what really sold it for me. Little things like him studying the burns he got from Godzilla. Or when he lured Godzilla down the mountain so he could hide and spring a surprise attack. That's what I loved about this Kong. This is my third favorite incarnation of him, next to Peter Jackson's and the original.

[Tohosaurus]

I agree with edgaguirus and James23873. It's just too bad the suit looked as bad as it did.

[wrongnote85]

my favorite thing about the 62 kong was his ability to lengthen and shorten his arms at will, although we never did get to see this superpower happen on screne, just between shots.

[Goji]

my favorite thing about the 62 kong was his ability to lengthen and shorten his arms at will, although we never did get to see this superpower happen on screne, just between shots.

Can't tell if serious

Personally, I love Toho Kong. I saw the original KING KONG around the same time I saw KING KONG VS. GODZILLA as a kid, and I have always loved both versions of the character for different reasons. The Toho Kong has this orge-esqe quality to him that just works, IMO. As an interpretation of a giant great ape, he doesn't look very good, but Hirose's performance as Kong is so memorable, you almost forgive how "bad" it looks. I also thought that him being able to conduct, and be powered by electricity was actually pretty bad ass.

[Godzillatheultimate]

I found his giant fur S&M suit with the visible ape-nipples weird.





Seriously though, he was pretty cool.

[menschenjaeger]

my favorite thing about the 62 kong was his ability to lengthen and shorten his arms at will, although we never did get to see this superpower happen on screne, just between shots.

That must be where the Indian guy from Master of the Flying Guillotine learned it...

[Dr. Nishiyama]

I adore Toho Kong. He was also the very first Bandai toy I ever bought. I love how Toho took everything traditional about the original and added their own flavor and spin to him (something Tri-Star didn't do with GINO). His suit is awful, but it holds some sort of charm for me and I wish this Kong had a few more movies to his belt. Really wish they made that KKvsG sequel in 1963. I also LOVE his roar.

[GodzillaDude]

I adore Toho Kong. He was also the very first Bandai toy I ever bought. I love how Toho took everything traditional about the original and added their own flavor and spin to him (something Tri-Star didn't do with GINO). His suit is awful, but it holds some sort of charm for me and I wish this Kong had a few more movies to his belt. Really wish they made that KKvsG sequel in 1963. I also LOVE his roar.

I collect various Godzilla toys and I have always wanted a Toho Kong. Is it possible I could find it on Amazon or Ebay still? I have searched for a Toho Kong figure but no luck so far.

EDIT: I just found the Bandai 1993 Toho Kong figure but it's about 100 bucks on Amazon lol

Anyways I really don't think Kong's suit was as bad as a lot of people say it is. I think it is better than the one they used for King Kong Escapes.

[Sydney Aradi]

Even though the Kong suit for King Kong vs Godzilla looks pretty bizarre but the orge like face gives the suit its charm. However, Kong's performance in the film is pretty good and it far outweighs the goofiness of the suit's look.

[Tyler]

I understand why they made him an oversized, realistic gorilla for Jackson's film but there's something about the ape-like creature in the older films I like a lot that would be nice to see again. Maybe not for a remake but if they ever did a Japanese style film again.

[Dr. Nishiyama]

I adore Toho Kong. He was also the very first Bandai toy I ever bought. I love how Toho took everything traditional about the original and added their own flavor and spin to him (something Tri-Star didn't do with GINO). His suit is awful, but it holds some sort of charm for me and I wish this Kong had a few more movies to his belt. Really wish they made that KKvsG sequel in 1963. I also LOVE his roar.

I collect various Godzilla toys and I have always wanted a Toho Kong. Is it possible I could find it on Amazon or Ebay still? I have searched for a Toho Kong figure but no luck so far.

EDIT: I just found the Bandai 1993 Toho Kong figure but it's about 100 bucks on Amazon lol

Anyways I really don't think Kong's suit was as bad as a lot of people say it is. I think it is better than the one they used for King Kong Escapes.

You might be able to find an untagged Kong figure on the cheap somewhere. In a figure guide I saw a fews years ago, the price of an untagged Bandai Kong is around $45 or so. I got mine back in '94 from a catalog I found in a fanzine (Anyone on here heard of Club Daikaiju?). Funny enough, Godzilla '93 was my first choice but was out of stock at the time lol

[JAGzilla]

I've always liked this version of Kong. He's not my favorite kaiju by any means, but he stands out from the Toho crowd and and made for a very memorable opponent for Godzilla. Never minded the suit, either. It's limited and cheap-looking, but did what it needed to.

Also, he rammed a tree down Godzilla's throat. That alone has to earn him some points.

[edgaguirus]

Kong was a fierce fighter.

[Godz]

Honestly he's my favorite version of Kong, and the first one I ever saw.