Watch King Kong Escapes

King Kong Escapes is a 1967 action-adventure movie directed by Ishirō Honda, widely known for his contributions to the Godzilla franchise. The movie is a co-production between Japan and the United States and was released after the box-office success of King Kong vs. Godzilla in 1962. The story revolves around the fictional nation of Mondo Island, where a giant Gorilla named King Kong lives. Dr. Hu, a mad scientist, wants to use Kong to mine the highly valuable Element X in the North Pole. However, when Kong fails to follow his orders, Dr. Hu creates a robotic version of Kong (Mechani-Kong) to execute his plans. Meanwhile, a group of United Nations scientists, Dr. Carl Nelson, Lt. Commander Jiro Nomura, and their assistant Susan Watson, who were on a mission to study radiation in the arctic, learn about the existence of Element X and its importance.

After Kong returns to Mondo Island, Dr. Hu kidnaps him and brings him to his secret base, where he forces Kong to mine Element X. Susan, who also gets kidnapped along with Kong, sends a distress signal that Dr. Nelson and Lt. Commander Nomura intercept. They learn about the existence of Mechani-Kong and travel to Mondo Island to rescue Kong and Susan.

Upon reaching Mondo Island, they befriend the local inhabitants and devise a plan to rescue Kong. However, Mechani-Kong attacks and proves to be a formidable foe. After a grueling battle, Kong emerges victorious and destroys Mechani-Kong. The group returns to Japan with Kong, who is later returned to his home on Mondo Island.

King Kong Escapes is a movie that has all the ingredients of an entertaining action-adventure movie. It features intense action sequences, exotic locations, and a cast of interesting characters. At the center of the movie is the iconic character of King Kong, who is portrayed through impressive special effects for the time.

Rhodes Reason, who plays Dr. Nelson, delivers a believable performance as the lead protagonist. He brings a sense of urgency and determination to his character, making him a likable and relatable hero. Mie Hama, who plays Lt. Commander Nomura's sister, delivers a convincing performance as a brave and intelligent female character. Linda Miller, playing Susan Watson, is the typical damsel in distress but manages to hold her own in certain scenes.

The movie's technical aspects are impressive, considering the era in which it was filmed. The special effects, though a product of their time, are still impressive and manage to capture the grandeur of Kong. The movie's score, composed by Akira Ifukube, is memorable and makes a significant contribution to the movie's atmosphere.

One of the movie's standout aspects is its world-building. The fictional nation of Mondo Island is an exotic and interesting location that captures the audience's imagination. The inhabitants of the Island are portrayed as unique and friendly, adding to the movie's charm.

Overall, King Kong Escapes is an enjoyable and entertaining movie that will appeal to fans of action-adventure movies. While the movie may not hold up to modern standards, it is still a worthy addition to the King Kong franchise, and a testament to the creativity of Ishirō Honda.