The King Kong soundstage approach on Universal's revamped backlot tram tour.
Like King Kong himself, Universal Studio Hollywood’s new addition featuring the giant legend is so big and awesome it deserves its own ride.
I went to the premiere of Peter Jackson’s “King Kong 360 3-D” pretty excited. I loved the idea that this was an alternate universe where Kong hadn’t been captured, put on display, and then murdered for being an untamed, misunderstood “beast”. So I nearly did a back flip when it was explained by Peter Jackson and the attraction’s creators that King Kong did not die in the fire that day, but rather he escaped.
The creators behind this attraction loved Kong so much, they too hated the thought he was no longer physically with us. This little touch is so sweet and lovely that the attraction itself could’ve just been King Kong sitting in a field sniffing posies and picking spurs out of his fur, and I would’ve been happy. But this is Peter Jackson, folks. Jackson is one of those rare visionaries who can make you forget the your own world during the brief time spent in his.
Is Peter Jackson’s “King Kong 360 3-D” a game changer? Yes. Does it reach it’s full potential? Yes and no. It is a remarkable experience. A true assault on the senses. An incredible 3 minute escape. And it truly is an escape worthy of another chapter in Kong lore. It’s also a taste of what’s to come in the world of 3-D/theme park entertainment.
My big problem with the attraction is that it’s just one part of a larger attraction- the tram tour. Something like “King Kong 360 3-D” deserves to stand on it’s own. It deserves it’s own attraction. I understand why it’s part of the tram tour, I just want more of a great thing.
Hopefully, down the line, they’ll give it the treatment they gave “Spider Man” at Universal Islands of Adventure. Or even, the incredible “Simpson’s Ride” just an escalator (or 4) ride up the hill from Kong. I would love to see some sort of interactive boat ride that incorporates a longer King Kong adventure that includes this 3 minute film. I’m just nit picking. Again, I loved every second of the attraction. Peter Jackson and his team have put it all up on the 16 enormous screens.
Now for the specifics of the ride itself – spoilers ahead! [click to continue…]
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