King Kong Escapes Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "King Kong Escapes" on Blu-ray provides a surprisingly robust and attractive 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, delivering impressive clarity and resolution throughout. The fine object and textural details stand out, with individual hairs, foliage, and fabric textures rendered sharply. Lifelike complexions and the accurate depiction of detailed faces enhance the viewing experience. The vibrant primary colors rejuvenate the overall aesthetic of the almost 40-year-old film, complemented by warm secondary hues. Contrast and brightness levels are commendable, offering brilliant whites and deep blacks, which significantly enhance the dimensionality of the 2.35:1 image.

However, the presentation does suffer from noticeable print damage, with scratches, nicks, specks, and edge tape marks appearing more frequently compared to "King Kong vs. Godzilla." The grain structure is slightly pulpier, although noise reduction appears to have been managed judiciously to avoid smearing and waxiness. Colors are more vibrant, with warmer skin tones, stronger primaries, deeper black levels, and eye-catching contrast. Despite these visual quality improvements, the persistent print damage detracts from the overall experience. An investment in restoration could significantly elevate this presentation while preserving its integrity. Nonetheless, this Blu-ray release stands as the definitive edition of the film so far.

The English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track on "King Kong Escapes" delivers a serviceable audio experience, typical of low-budget 1960s cinema. Dialogue is generally clean and clear, despite the usual issues with tininess and occasional prioritization mishaps. Effects are relatively substantial but would have benefitted from a more exciting 5.1 remix, including enhanced LFE support and active rear speaker engagement. Nonetheless, the existing tracks perform adequately without significant flaws.

The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack showcases King Kong's roars and hollers effectively but is not without its minor drawbacks. Some sequences exhibit low-level noise and light hissing, although these are generally unobtrusive. Dynamics and acoustics appear somewhat constrained, with upper frequencies occasionally sounding overly bright and harsh, particularly during action scenes and certain musical passages. However, mid-level frequencies remain clear, contributing to a mostly satisfying soundstage. Despite noticeable ADR, dialogue is well-prioritized and easy to understand, while the low bass is limited yet fitting for an action monster film of this era.

The Blu-ray edition of "King Kong Escapes" falls short in the extras department. Unfortunately, this release is devoid of any special features, providing a bare-bones experience for enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. This absence of supplementary content is a significant downside, especially for collectors who look forward to behind-the-scenes insights, interviews, or any bonus material that enriches the cinematic experience. The omission highlights a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the film's production nuances and historical context.

Extras included in this disc: None

"King Kong Escapes," directed by Ishirô Honda, offers a nostalgic yet campy throwback to Toho's mega-monster era that effortlessly caters to the black-and-white campers and 1960s Sci-Fi aficionados. Similar in spirit to "King Kong vs. Godzilla," this film swaps the oversized lizard for a robotic doppelgänger, Mechani-Kong. It adheres to a disposable yet enjoyable template, balancing bombastic monster mayhem and lighthearted human subplot dynamics. Honda and producer Tomoyuki Tanaka's attempts to merge elements from the 1933 classic with their own creature-feature charm shine through, from Mechani-Kong's clumsy yet lovable design to Kong's surreal romantic inclinations toward Lt. Susan Watson (Linda Miller).

The plot of "King Kong Escapes" revolves around the evil Dr. Hu (Hideyo Amamoto), whose character, likened to a Bond villain, adds a layer of over-the-top eccentricity. Joined by Madame Piranha (Mie Hama), Dr. Hu kidnaps Kong to use him for mining rare radioactive elements, leading to climactic confrontations between Kong and Mechani-Kong. The film doesn't shy away from its Saturday morning cartoon origins, with numerous nods to "The King Kong Show." At its peak, the film culminates in a gloriously cheesy showdown atop the Tokyo Tower—a clear homage to the Empire State Building finale of its predecessor.

For audiences inclined toward retro monster showdowns, "King Kong Escapes" offers rubbery special effects, exaggerated performances, and lovingly mockable English dubs. While its production values may feel starkly outmoded by today's standards, it delivers an unwittingly charming escapade. Though it will not replace the gravitas of classics like 1954's "Gojira" or the 1933 "King Kong," this Blu-ray release is a delightful addition to any enthusiast's collection, presenting the quintessentially vivid mix of lavish miniatures, flamboyant evil plots, and loads of monstrous fun.

King Kong Escapes' stands out as an intriguing addition to the King Kong franchise, even though it veers from being a traditional sequel. Inspired by a popular Saturday morning cartoon and containing various allusions to the 1933 classic, this film caters to a niche audience with its campy and nostalgic flair. The movie excels in delivering a so-terrible-it's-terrific experience, transforming it into a hilariously fun viewing that appeals to those who can appreciate its unique charm.

Universal's Blu-ray edition presents a largely faithful audio-visual experience. However, the disc is saddled with significant print damage that detracts from the overall quality. The video transfer is reasonably good, capturing the vibrant colors and unique aesthetic that fans would expect, but it does not fully escape its flaws. The audio remains strong, delivering clear soundscapes that enhance the movie's campy dialogues and action sequences. Nevertheless, these technical strengths are undermined by the bare-bones nature of the release, lacking essential extras that could have provided a deeper appreciation of this cult classic.

In conclusion, 'King Kong Escapes' may not be a cinematic masterpiece or a traditional Kong sequel, but it manages to hold its charm as a cult favorite. With the right mindset, viewers can enjoy this campy throwback, despite its technical imperfections and lackluster supplemental materials. Universal's Blu-ray edition will satisfy the die-hard fans but leaves room for improvement in future releases.