Peter Jackson's 'King Kong' rises again -– in 3D ride

(AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYS)

When the Universal Studios backlot caught fire in June 2008, it destroyed several parts of the popular tram ride at the theme park in Hollywood, California including a favorite part of the tour for 20 years -- the animated set of King Kong.

When the Universal Studios backlot caught fire in June 2008, it destroyed several parts of the popular tram ride at the theme park in Hollywood, California including a favorite part of the tour for 20 years - the animated set of King Kong.

To rebuild the destroyed ride, the studio brought in film director Peter Jackson, who followed up his renowned Lord of the Rings trilogy with a remake of King Kong in 2005 with Jack Black, Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody.

Jackson has rebooted the attraction with new original material in 360-degree wrap-around images on 180-foot by 40-foot (55 m by 12 m) tall curving screens with a special "Surround Digital Projection System" - and in 3D.

Guests will encounter a swarm of monstrous bats and a ferocious battle between King Kong and a ravenous 35-foot (10 m) tall dinosaur that steps over the trams and bares its teeth.

The attraction, which lasts for two-and-a-half-minutes, will also feature a total sensory experience with aroma and motion simulation, smelling bananas, feeling windy gusts, water sprays, and the ground shaking as the million-pound ape battles a T.Rex.

The King Kong part of the ride is scheduled to premiere this summer. Here is a 44-second video promoting the upcoming ride:

http://www.craveonline.com/lifestyle/video/exclusive-peter-jackson-presents-king-kong-4d-teaser-129221

RC