Kong returns to Empire State

Peter Jackson's King Kong roared its first in New York yesterday with a monster-sized world premiere kicking off the movie's assault on the global box office.

Jackson, partner Fran Walsh, the stars and senior crew on the film strode the red carpet at the opening at Times Square, where 8000 invited guests watched the film on 32 screens.

They included a couple of former hobbits - Elijah Wood and Billy Boyd - and some modern New York heavyweights in Donald Trump and Martha Stewart.

It was the first time Jackson had seen his three-hour film in its entirety, having only watched individual reels during its production.

The guests then headed - not to the Empire State Building where the spotlights to New York's tallest building were being left on late to mark the premiere - but to a lavish party at the Show Piers on the Hudson, a giant hall at the city's passenger ship terminal.

Jackson arrived with Fran Walsh at midnight and was in a relieved mood after the screening.

"It was a good audience to see it with. It's good to get through the initial blast."

Among the guests, which included Star Wars creator George Lucas, everyone from All Black captains to American rock stars pronounced the movie a success.

Said Tana Umaga: "It was great. I hoped he had changed the ending so he [Kong] would survive."

Asked if the movie gave him any inspiration about going out on top, Umaga replied, "Nah".

Red Hot Chilli Peppers' lead singer Anthony Kiedis was similarly impressed.

"Its a damn good homage to the original. It's as good a homage as you are going to get."

The after-party was themed after Skull Island and guests enjoyed 42 Below Vodka and Morton Estate wines.

A few hours earlier the New York mayor had proclaimed December 5 as "King Kong Day" in the city during a photo-op with Jackson and his cast in Times Square where Weta Workshop's Richard Taylor had constructed a life-size Kong.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared the film to be a "monument to the possibilities of cinema" though he hadn't seen it yet, being on the guest list for later that evening.

"It's been 72 years since Kong first arrived in New York," said Jackson in reply.

"It's with great pride that we bring him back again. We just need directions to the Empire State Building. This is one of the great days."

While his film openings might close Wellington streets at home, Jackson's mayoral ceremony took place against roaring traffic, Kong's fur flapping in the breeze of passing city buses.

While the computer animated version of the film's trailer was in action on a Times Square billboard above, the model sat looking a little forlorn and diminished by this 21st Century surroundings, as if needing fresh batteries and a couple of cymbals.