Old vs. New: King Kong

Old vs New King Kong
Date Aired	April 28th, 2010
Running Time	18:42
Website	http://www.tgwtg.com

Nostalgic Critic: Hello, I'm the Nostalgia Critic. I remember it, so you don't have to! And welcome to another edition of Old vs New.

The title card is shown, featuing an old man crossing his cane with a little boy's baseball bat, as dramatic music plays and lightning strikes.

NC: Who would have thought a story about a... giant monkey who falls in love with a woman, climbs buildings and smashes dinosaurs could be considered as classic?

Footage of original King Kong is shown along with the main theme of it

NC (Voiceover): Well, King Kong certainly was. When it was released in 1933, it captured the world's interest with its groundbreaking effects and a timeless story about what happened when two threatening natures collide. Since then there has been several remakes but they're such donkeys. And none of them has been considered on part with the original. That is untill 2005 when Peter Jackon took a shot of telling the story. This is the only version that people say it's not only as good as the original but possibly better. But can it truly outdue the classic? Is there really enough there to keep it fresh and new while staying true to the original?

NC: Well, let's find out! I.. never thought I'd be putting the position to say this but it's monkey versus money here on Nostalgia Critic! This is Old versus New King Kong!

The opening sequence plays as we see pictures of the main characters from both movies fly into the jungle, while the theme songs of both movies play side by side.

NC: Well, we can't tell this beauty and the beast story without our beauty!

Picture of Kong is shown.

NC (Voiceover): That is not the beauty. For most of us.

NC: I'm talking about our main actress who happens to play... the main actress. This is our Best Leading Lady.

Round 1 - Best Leading Lady

Footages of the leading lady from both movies.

NC (Voiceover): Now both of these films have good charismatic actresses. Each has to have her charming personality and good looks to match in order to tame the beast. They are certainly different though. In the original, the character Ann Darrow is played by Fay Wray, who is constantly told that she doesn't belong on board.

Ann Darrow (1933): I wish you wouldn't keep harping on that. It's very mean of you.

Driscoll (1993): Woman, women can't help being a bother. They're made that way I guess.

The scene pauses and bright red word, Douche appears on Driscoll along with the voiceover of NC saying the word.

NC (Voiceover): Despite that though, she still keeps her optimistic point of view.

Ann Darrow (1933): Don't you think the Skipper is a sweet old lamb?

Driscoll (1933) (Laughing): I'd hate to have him hear me say so.

NC (Voiceover): In the newer version she's played by Naomi Watts, who's a little more welcomed down the ship.so she doesn't have to defend herself as much.

Herb: I say what a lovely dress.

Ann Darrow (2005): Oh! This old thing! I just threw it on.

NC (Voiceover): Both have to play the classic screaming damsel in distress and in terms of traditional screamers, Fay Wray is probably a little bit closer. But what portray has a little bit more edge to it? In the original, King Kong just sort of likes Darrow. And even though they make her very positive and energenic, all she does around Kong is screaming.

Clips of Fay Wray as Ann Darrow screaming is played.

NC (Voiceover): Granted we don't want to see anything bad happen to her but she doesn't do anything that would make Kong really like her. The newer one has to work for her to survive.