AN: I'll drop 1 more chapter tonight.
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[Comic-Con – Day 4: Final day]
The fourth day of Comic-Con carried on with the same roaring energy as the first three.
But Alex didn't attend it. He was in his Los Angeles office, taking care of some work.
The massive monitor in front of him displayed several open tabs, each showing reviews for King Kong, one of the most expensive films Titan Studios had ever produced and Peter Jackson's biggest gamble.
The film had been released two days earlier, and the numbers were already strong. But Alex knew numbers told only half the story. Reviews told the rest.
He leaned back in his chair, coffee in hand, and started reading.
The Hollywood Reporter
"Peter Jackson's King Kong is a monumental achievement — a breathtaking blend of beauty and brutality. Naomi Watts delivers a moving performance, and the motion-capture work that brings Kong to life is extraordinary. It's longer than it needs to be, but every frame drips with passion. A blockbuster with a beating heart."
Rating: 8.5/10
Alex smiled faintly. 'Good start,' he thought, scrolling down.
Empire Magazine
"A grand spectacle that redefines what modern adventure cinema can be. The action scenes on Skull Island are thrilling, especially the dinosaur chase, and Andy Serkis's performance as Kong is pure artistry. The film's three-hour runtime might test some viewers' patience, but it rewards those who stay to the end. A triumph for both Peter Jackson and Titan Studios."
Rating: 5/5
He took a slow sip of his coffee. 'Empire's happy. That helps internationally.'
New York Times – A.O. Scott
"At times, King Kong is a masterpiece of modern filmmaking and at others, a reminder that bigger is not always better. Jackson's eye for spectacle is unmatched, but the film's indulgence in its own grandeur occasionally drags it down. Still, Kong himself is a marvel, one of cinema's most expressive creatures since Godzilla 1995."
Rating: 3/5
Alex exhaled slowly through his nose. 'Fair. Balanced. We'll take that.'
The Guardian
"It's beautiful, bombastic, and occasionally exhausting. The special effects are stunning, and the chemistry between Watts and the CGI Kong is surprisingly touching. However, Jackson's obsession with scale stretches the story thin. A brilliant technical showcase that could have used a bit more restraint."
Rating: 4/5
He chuckled quietly. "They can never resist calling something too long."
Variety
"Peter Jackson delivers a mammoth film that often mistakes volume for emotion. The visuals are jaw-dropping, but the pacing falters badly in the middle act. By the time Kong reaches New York, the sense of wonder has been replaced by fatigue. It's a spectacle that never quite justifies its size."
Rating: 6/10
Alex frowned slightly, tapping the desk with his finger. 'Pacing again. Always pacing.'
Rolling Stone
"Titan's marketing promised a film for the ages. What we got instead was a lumbering, overindulgent monster movie that forgets its heart halfway through. Naomi Watts is brilliant, Kong looks incredible, but the film collapses under its own weight. Less would have been so much more."
Rating: 2.5/5
He sighed and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. "They wanted Jurassic Park, not Lawrence of Arabia," he muttered.
IGN
"Technically outstanding, emotionally inconsistent. The effects team outdid themselves, and Kong is a triumph of digital artistry. Yet, at over three hours, the movie feels like it's trying to win an endurance contest. Still, for pure cinematic spectacle, it's hard to beat."
Rating: 7.5/10
..
Alex clicked over to the next tab: the audience section.
Public reviews were pouring in across every major platform, from IMDb to Rotten Tomatoes to the Titan Studios fan forum.
Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score): 90%
IMDb: 8.7/10
Titan Forum Poll: 4.6/5 (based on 85,000 votes)
He scrolled through the comments, scanning the unfiltered reactions that told a truer story than the polished critic reviews ever could.
@MovieBuff1990
"This isn't just a monster movie, it's a love story wrapped in tragedy. Kong looked real. Like, heartbreakingly real. Peter Jackson and Titan nailed it."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@SkullIslandFan
"Three hours flew by for me. The T-Rex fight? Absolutely insane. The CGI alone deserves an Oscar. Props to Titan for giving this film the marketing push it deserved!"
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@CinePhile_84
"Too long? Maybe. Too ambitious? Definitely. But I loved every second of it. They don't make movies like this anymore."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@NaomiWattStan
"Naomi Watts and Kong had more chemistry than half the Hollywood couples this year. I cried. Twice. I regret nothing."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@DigitalJunkie
"Kong's animation is next-level. You can see emotion in his eyes. That's Titan money well spent."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@FilmNerd
"People said it's too long, but that's like complaining your favorite song has an extra verse. Epic in every sense."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@TrollMaster007
"Too much screaming, not enough eating people. But the monkey's cool."
⭐️⭐️⭐️
..
Alex couldn't help but smirk. "At least the internet's having fun with it," he murmured.
He clicked one more tab —Box Office— and the numbers filled the screen.
King Kong (2006)
Opening Day (Friday): $19,030,000
Saturday Estimate: $24,500,000
Weekend Total (Projected): $55–60 million domestic
The international rollout hadn't even started yet, but Titan's analysts were already predicting a global opening north of $120 million once Europe and Asia joined in.
Alex leaned back, fingers drumming lightly against his mug. The weight on his shoulders began to ease.
It wasn't just a win for Peter Jackson... it was a win for Titan.
For all the money poured into marketing and the trust he placed on Peter Jackson, well, it was money well spent, and Peter delivered. The gamble had paid off.
Alex reached for his phone, ready to call Peter Jackson. His finger hovered over the contact when the screen lit up with an incoming call: Jane Moore.
He leaned back in his chair, curiosity sparking. "Well, speak of the devil," he murmured, swiping to answer.
"Jane," he greeted. "You're up early."
Her voice came through crisp and excited. "Couldn't sleep. The edit's done. Mr. & Mrs. Smith is finally ready. I just sent you the link to the final cut and the trailer on the secure server."
Alex smiled. "Already? That was fast."
"You'll see why," she said. "I think you're going to like what we've done. The chemistry works. You and Angelina… it's electric on screen. Even the test editors stopped working to watch."
He laughed softly. "That good?"
"You'll see," she repeated, a confident edge in her tone. "Start with the trailer. It hits hard."
"Alright," Alex said, clicking open his inbox. "Let's take a look."
"Call me when you've seen it," Jane said. "I want your reaction."
The call ended, and Alex tapped the link. A password prompt appeared, followed by the Titan watermark loading screen. Then the trailer began to play.
The opening shot filled the massive monitor: a montage of city lights, gunmetal tones, and quick flashes of the two main characters living dual lives. John shooting an RPG>
Bold letters: Hollywood's Golden Boy: Alex Wilson as Mr. Smith.
Jane shooting at a bunch of shooters during a car chase.
Bold letters: Academy Award winner: Angelina Jolie.
A brief flash of both of them kissing against the wall.
Cut to a gun being assembled. Then Angelina, as Jane Smith, walking through a crowded street, eyes sharp, a faint smile playing on her lips. A couple of assassination flash scenes.
The music built slowly along with the scene. The trailer bounced between action and intimacy. Explosions, car chases, and a dinner table conversation that looked harmless, only for the scene to cut to both aiming their guns at each other.
The screen faded to black as the title crashed in.
MR. & MRS. SMITH
Alex exhaled with a grin. "Damn, Jane," he muttered. "You nailed it. Haha. It's so weird. Character is Jane, the director is also Jane, and one of my assistants' names is also Jane. Huh? Weird coincidence."
He replayed the trailer. The pacing, color grading, and cuts are all tight. The chemistry between him and Angelina was awesome.
Satisfied, he put on the movie next.
For the next two hours, he barely moved, absorbed from the first frame. The humor, the banter, the gunfights. Everything clicked just right.
He found himself smiling at certain moments, especially during the scenes with Angelina. Their arguments had a rhythm, a kind of dangerous playfulness that carried into the more intimate sequences. When the first kiss hit the screen, it felt natural. When the sensual scenes followed, the chemistry felt effortless. He caught himself chuckling once, shaking his head.
"I'd better set up that Bahamas trip soon," he muttered.
The ending left just the right amount of tension. Alex's improvised script gave the movie a cliffhanger where John and Jane are prepping up to take down their organization for good, but a sniper was watching them from a distance. The screen cut to black. This is to keep a route open for a possible future sequel.
He closed his computer, stood, and stretched. Then walked over to the glass wall and looked down at the busy streets below.
First King Kong, now Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Alex smiled to himself. "Not a bad weekend."
He reached for his phone, intending to call Rachel. His thumb hovered over her name when a soft knock sounded at the door. 'Haaa... Really now?'
He sighed. "Come in."
The door opened, and Joyce, the new receptionist, peeked in. She looked a little nervous, holding her tablet close to her chest.
"Mr. Wilson," she said carefully. "There are two police officers here to see you. They said it's important."
Alex frowned slightly. "Cops?"
"Yes, sir. They'd like to ask you some questions."
'Cops and questions... Looks like an investigation,' He thought for a moment. "Alright. Send them in."
Joyce nodded quickly and stepped out.
A few seconds later, the door opened again. Two women walked in. One wearing a suit and dark blazer, the other in a department blue uniform.
'Angela Lopez and... Lucy?' He thought.
"Mr. Wilson," the older one began as they approached his desk. "I'm Detective Angela Lopez, LAPD. This is Officer Lucy Chen."
"I know," Alex gestured toward the chairs opposite him. "Please, have a seat."
They both sat, and Alex leaned back slightly in his chair, folding his hands. "So, what can I do for you?"
Angela set a folder on his desk, her tone professional but steady. "We're currently investigating a murder that took place two nights ago. Your name came up in connection to a few of the details, and we'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind."
Alex's expression didn't change, but his eyes sharpened just a little. 'Who the fuck died now?'
"Of course," he said evenly. "Ask away."
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[5 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] [No double billing.]
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