I think, in 99.9% of all cases, a remake will not be turned out so good as the original. Jackson's version of the immortal classic from 1933 is an exceptional case. Many directors of remakes make the error to add too many own ideas, or trying to make a scene "better" than the original scene, but they only destroy it when they do so. (For example: Many scenes in the 2002-remake of "The Time Machine") Fortunately Jackson did not make such errors. He let the story in 1933, and did not set it to today. In 1933 this story is far more believable, same as it was, when in 1933 the original "King Kong" was released. Okay, he brushed up the special effects to the standards of today, and sometimes i think, he add too much of action and effects. IMHO some of the CGI-sequences are too long and too unbelievable. But on the other side he add a lot of silent moments, depicting Kong not only as a ferocious beast and let show the audience a little bit deeper in Kongs soul as the 1933 original movie did. This are only some minor alterations of the original, but they had a great impact, for example: Kongs facial expressions. You can see him thinking. Or the wonderful ice-skating scene. It seems to be from another world and it is a lovely reference to my all-time favorite movie "Bambi" too. With this scenes Jackson show us, that he used CGI not only for non-stop-action, but for deeper, silent moments too. Great work! And fortunately Jackson let his hands off of the many already perfect scenes of the original (except of using modern FX). He love the original "King Kong" and his version of it is a proof of his love. A perfect scene cannot be made better, and so he only retells it with his "words", for example: The climax on the Empire State Building. There is no doubt: Without the classic from 1933, Jackson's version would not turned out so good as it actually do. So the original is still a little bit higher in my reputation. I give the original "King Kong" 8/10, and while i can not vote a 7.9/10, i will give Jackson's "King Kong" 8/10 too. The best remake i saw so far. A sincere flattery to the work of the original King Kong-crew from 1933!
