Gianni DiCrosta/ Roundup
Celebrities and the media were treated to an early screening of the new King Kong 360 3-D attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood Tuesday, as the ape returns to the theme park for the first time in two years.
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The attraction, which makes use of Surround Digital 3D film and the equivalent of nearly 16 average movie screens, was created by Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson. Jackson’s credits include the most recent King Kong adaptation, as well as the highly popular The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
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To commemorate the groundbreaking new attraction, Universal Studios Hollywood welcomed guests with tribal bands and actors in tribal attire. Wildlife WayStation, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing native and exotic animals, was also on hand with a few animals to entertain onlookers.
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Introductions were made by Ron Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Studios, and Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as a filmed 3D introduction by Jackson himself.
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“Today is a very important day for us,” said Myer. “Only two years ago we had our fire. Today marks the final piece of rebuilding our back lot.”
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In 2008, the Universal back lot face a terrible fire that burned down several sets, as well as the original King Kong section of the theme parks popular Studio Tour.
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King Kong first arrived at Universal in 1986.
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“It’s been an incredible journey these last two years,” said Kurzweil. “Here we are almost 25 years later, and Kong is coming back, and coming back large.”
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“[King Kong] has survived Godzilla, a swarm of biting [tyrannosaurus] rexes, and battalion defending New York City,” he added.
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Kurzweil made sure the audience understood what sets the new attraction apart from your average trip to the movie theater.
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“3D [technology] is still evolving,” he said. “Today is the first time you’ll be inside a 3D story instead of just viewing it from your seat.”
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Following speeches made by Meyer and Kurzweil, guests were allowed to experience the new ride, which like the original King Kong attraction, will be a portion of the Studio Tour.
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The attraction lasts about two and a half minutes and puts riders in the middle of a battle between the hulking ape himself, two Tyrannosaurus rexes, Velociraptors and giant insects.
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As the Universal executives stated, you are put inside the movie, a character in the story.
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“It was heart stopping, mesmerizing,” said Wayne Brady, host of the CBS game show Let’s Make a Deal.
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“It was crazy! I can’t believe it,” said Craig Robinson, a cast member of the NBC show The Office and the recent film Hot Tub Time Machine.
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Benjamin Salisbury, coordinator for the park’s Studio Tour, assures that the transition from the old tour to the new King Kong inclusive tour will be seamless.
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“The [Studio] Tour’s always been so organic,” he said. “It seems to fit the flow perfectly with what we’ve been doing for the past 40 years.”
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Universal Studios Hollywood visitors will be able to experience King Kong 360 3D when the attraction debuts to the general public today.
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For more information on Universal Studios, visit http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/
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Guests of the new King Kong 360 3D attraction listen in as Peter Jackson introduces his latest work. (-Louie Heredia)
Bianca, a macaca monkey rescued by Wildlife WayStation, entertained curious onlookers before the premiere of King Kong 360 3D. (-Louie Heredia)
