Kong: Skull Island is a monster film directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. Just as the Vietnam War is coming to an end, the Monarch Organization convince the U.S. government to fund an expedition to a newly discovered mysterious island in the South Pacific hoping to find something before everyone else. Posing as a mapping mission, expert tracker, James Conrad (Hiddleston) must lead the group of researchers and their military escort through Skull Island. Little do they know that Skull Island is home to creatures unimaginable such as the king of the island, Kong.
Kong: Skull Island is one of the new films bring the monster genre to a new generation. Unlike previous monster movies, including the most recent Godzilla film, Kong jumps right into it as they show off how amazing he looks. The rest of film has beautiful locations and some great special effects showing off other monsters on the island. When the film shows off Kong its at its most entertaining and fun to watch. Unfortunately sub plots that involve the military, more specifically Colonel Packard (Jackson), bog down the film. The story itself that a research group is looking for monsters and the Earth might be hollow is silly. At the same time, I can suspend belief when there’s a giant gorilla and tell myself this is an alternate Earth. The script on the other hand has some characters making stupid choices and using pointless dialog. All the actors did what they could, but the script let them down in their performances. Almost always it’s the case in movies that are supposed to be about giant monsters or giant robots, that they make it too much about the little people.
Even though Kong: Skull Island has some subplots that weaken the overall film, it has great visuals and enjoyable set pieces. With the focus on giant monsters it all makes for a really fun movie. If you can overlook a weak script and simple story, you should still find Kong entertaining. If you don’t like monster movies, why are you watching this and what’s wrong with you? It’s King Kong. He is bad ass.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 1 hr 58 min
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Screenplay: Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein and Derek Connolly
Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, and John Goodman
Producers: Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni and Alex Garcia
Music: Henry Jackman
Cinematography: Larry Fong