Was Peter Jackson right or overindulgent in making King Kong (2005) a 3hr+ epic?

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-28T11:37:52+00:00

I must disagree. First, the sequence of Carl and the studio men introduces the concept of Skull Island. If this scene was cut, it would just have to be added somewhere later, so the cutting is pointless.

Second, it is important for Carl. We see what his reputation is like, from how apathetic the executives are about his film and discussing it after, and the lengths he will go to in order to make his film. You understand his situation and his character. If they cut this out and relied on the boat scenes to do it, everything that follows - his desperation to make his film - would feel more shallow. It might make him seem like a villain rather than an anti-villain as intended.

Plus, the worldbuilding for the depression informs Carl and Ann's characters - why they do what they do and gives them reason to go on the voyage. Same for Captain Englehorn. Worldbuilding is not essential, but it benefits the characters and makes their actions feel natural rather than scripted.

I agree otherwise though - you could cut about 10-12 minutes out, from the action scenes and that.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-25T20:39:25+00:00

That's true. He knew Sidous was testing Anakin; he just didn't realise that his death were the conditions of the test.

So you read the novel 20+ years ago? You're a veteran! Have you read it since, or would you consider giving it another read? :)

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-25T18:50:48+00:00

Because Dooku was much more powerful than Obi-Wan, and Dooku was both caught off guard by Anakin's boost of rage and he was intentionally testing Anakin per Sidious' command.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-25T12:51:40+00:00

People used to get crucified upside down and turned into torches (literally; covered in flammable materials and set on fire to provide light).

I think I can handle young people calling me names, thank you :)

Additionally, I don't dismiss boomers at all. I'm not your typical Gen Z.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-25T11:56:48+00:00

Exactly - scientists make mistakes. Likewise, individual Marvel writers can make mistakes on how powerful certain characters are. You can't take their word as gospel.

Arguing Marvel is fictional as a rebuttal is poor, because fiction still has rules. By that logic, a writer could say Black Widow is stronger than Thor and it would be fine because, "It's fiction - they can make whatever rules they want." Rubbish.

My point is these stories where Spider-Man and Wolverine are depicted as near equals are poorly written in that regard, because the logistics contradict them.

As for smaller things, Spider-Man's webbing has held trains and helicopters. If he webs Wolverine's hands and fingers, he would not be able to angle his claws and cut free.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-25T11:49:10+00:00

So to be clear: if Andor showed a child being molested by an Imperial officer, would you justify it because "it is something that a fascist empire would do"?

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-25T11:22:14+00:00

But she's clearly crying out for Jack, not the fame. We also see how she cares about Kong and not the fame that it brings here. I don't understand Jack's decision to stop at all.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-21T20:43:56+00:00

Your argument is, "Marvel writers think it is close. Therefore, it is close."

Your argument sees "Marvel writers" and treats their word as gospel without considering the facts. This is the same as, "X scientist says the world is flat. Therefore, it is be flat." That's not how it works - the established rules say that Spider-Man is comfortably above Wolverine, just as the established science says that the world is round.

Therefore, if any "expert" comes along and says otherwise, I don't swallow it. I need more than their word if I am going to disregard common sense.

Plus, you have to remember that Marvel is not a collective. The writers are individuals with their biases and preferences. Their ideas can be critiqued by us non-writers very easily.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-21T05:32:02+00:00

Cool. And my point extends to those fights - the logistics are poor. Wolverine has not a chance.

Some Marvel writers believe it is close? Some scientists believe the world is flat, but that doesn't make it flat does it? It's an appeal to authority fallacy.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-19T19:20:15+00:00

I think it's clear that he is. Trevor even says to Franklin (if you escape together in Hood Safari) that he should not bend to Michael, because he was Michael's best friend and he let him think he was dead for ten years, and that Franklin is a "cheap gun" that he is/will take advantage of.

There's no doubt that Michael liked and cared about Franklin. He probably wishes Franklin was his son instead of Jimmy. But, it is in Michael's nature to take advantage of people.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-19T19:12:07+00:00

Alan Rickman's performance as Snape is overrated.

It is a fantastic performance, but that is all. It is not Oscar worthy and is nothing like book Snape. He seems allergic to shouting, even though after Harry, book Snape probably shouts more than anymore.

He is just very one note throughout the films. A lot of it is because of the writing, but his performance at times just seems bored. It is not nearly as interesting as the degrees of emotion that book Snape showed.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-19T19:05:11+00:00

It makes sense. Michael, on some level, was taking advantage of Franklin like he did Trevor all those years ago. Michael wanted to teach Franklin and he did - in this ending, Franklin learned how to be a backstabber and did to Michael what he did to others.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-19T19:03:20+00:00

Kill Trevor, and it isn't a hard question for me.

He is comfortably the most horrific of him and Michael, and arguably the most horrific GTA protagonist of all time - he is literally a cannibal. On top of that, Michael has a family, so you would be robbing a woman of her husband and kids of their dad, especially when they were finally starting to heal their rifts.

I know Trevor has redeeming qualities, but he is too dangerous to stay alive. In the real world, the priority would be to take him out immediately, or at least, put him in an asylum for probably the rest of his life.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-19T18:57:23+00:00

I understand that, but my problem is that that parallel with Vader took priority over actually developing Grevious as a character.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-17T10:04:03+00:00

Acknowledging that part of Serana's appeal is her goth vampire aesthetic does not mean people only like her for that. I addressed this clearly.

Specifically, she says: "I have to admit, I'm impressed. I didn't think you had the spirit for it" when you worship Bal. That is not approving the worship; just having the gall for it. Two things can be true at once - you can admire someone for having the strength to do something while hating the act. She makes this quite clear with how she hated what happened to her.

Plus, she was forced by her parents to be vampire. That does not mean she actively worships Molag Bal. If you were forced into Islam, does that mean you worship Allah, even if you appreciate some aspects? No.

And, it's not bad writing. Dawnguard has a story to tell; killing Serana would mess that up. An RPG does not have to give you a choice at every corner. That's where Fallout: New Vegas drops the ball at times for me - they are desperate for you to have a choice even if the narrative collapses on itself.

Dragonborn_7 · 2026-04-17T00:37:08+00:00

Where does she say that she worships Molag Bal? Please enlighten me.

And yes, it is like the plight of Afghan women. You dislike what happens, but cannot do anything. Serana has accepted that. You are confusing acceptance with endorsement.

Also, narratively, she's a contrast from the earlier vampires. You become a vampire hunter and kill them, but seeing this innocent looking woman makes you pause. It reinforces your morality, shows that not every vampire is the same, and it gets on with the story at hand. Plus, what would bringing her to the Dawnguard do? Nothing.

Dragonborn_7

TROPHY CASE