I grew up watching movie greats and cinematic icons, and probably one of the most recognizable monsters and terrors I've encountered in my childhood is "King Kong" - the huge ape that is known as the "8th Wonder of the World" to man yet is truly just a creature from a lost age who is implied to be the last of his kind hailing from the fictional lost world of "Skull Island". I first got exposed to Kong and his world with a home video copy of the 1933 original directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and it was an eye opener in the history of Hollywood cinema that received critical acclaim for its portrayal of a giant monster ape and pioneering use of stop-motion animation by Willis O'Brien. As compared to the 1976 remake (which was alright and actually had Jeff Bridges in it) and the somewhat lukewarm 2005 one directed by LOTR helmer Peter Jackson, it can be argued that you "can't beat a classic" and the original still set the standard for other Kong films and copycats that followed.
Fast forward to 2017 and we have the THIRD REBOOT attempt to bring Kong to the modern world with "Kong: Skull Island" - a reimagining of the Kong franchise directed by Jordan Charles Vogt-Roberts (who is attached to direct a film version of Metal Gear Solid, but that's still in development). Other than reintroducing the giant ape to audiences with renewed vigor and style thanks to the advances of technology today, this movie is actually the second installment in Legendary Pictures' "MonsterVerse" - which started with the company's previous collaboration with Warner Bros. in the 2014 film "Godzilla" - which rebooted Toho's "King of the Monsters" for the second time and to much better reception as compared to the 1998 film by Independence Day director Roland Emmerich. The aim is to EVENTUALLY get these two titans together, in a "Let Them Fight" style versus flick that will finally see them clash in a Hollywood blockbuster unlike the 1962 Toho film that saw things taken less seriously as they should have been.
Now on to the review proper, and for the short gist Kong: Skull Island is nothing short of AWESOME and an absolute MUST SEE for fans new and old alike. Big thanks again to Warner Bros. PH for inviting me to the screening earlier this week!
Movie: Kong: Skull Island
Release Date: March 10, 2017 (US), March 9, 2017 (Philippines)
Released by: Warner Bros. Philippines
A film boasting an All-Star cast (many of whom who have and will star in Marvel Cinematic Universe films!), Kong: Skull Island pairs up Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Goodman in the biggest action movie performance of their lives yet, as they take a trip to Skull Island and meet the king himself and other giant creatures in uncharted territory. Set during the Vietnam War era of the 70's, Hiddleston plays a former British SAS Captain named James Conrad who is hired by John Goodman's character Bill Randa to serve as tracker in the expedition to Skull Island. Samuel L. Jackson plays Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard, leader of the "Sky Devils" helicopter squadron who are there to help escort Randa and deliver "bombs" to help map out the uncharted territory, while Brie Larson plays photojournalist Mason Weaver who is there to report any suspicious activity by the military.
All of these pale in comparison to when they actually make it to the island and start dropping the bombs... Which earns them the attention and anger of KING KONG. The King of Skull Island goes on to destroy the helicopters and maroon the survivors on the island, with their only hope of rescue being rendezvousing with a resupply party on the other side of the island in a few days. With time running fast, hidden agendas and split groups go for different goals, with Packard intent on exacting revenge on Kong for killing his men and Randa confirming the existence of monsters for his company Monarch. With the discovery of a World War II veteran and survivor played by John C. Reilly helping them out to escape, Conrad and the others navigate Skull Island and learn more about Kong himself, who may actually be their only defense in a place full of monsters and dangers at every corner.
So pretty much from the Get Go, Kong: Skull Island is all about world-building and expanding the mythos of the "MonsterVerse" by focusing on events the take place years before the events of the 2014 Godzilla film and gives us a chance to know the "King of Skull Island" himself. Unlike his previous portrayals in the big screen, Kong is much taller and a lot more menacing to see thanks to the special effects and CGI technology allows for today's movies. He's intimidating, a lot more angry, and does a lot of powerful moves and damage to anything he strikes or throws objects at. That of course is supplemented by the amazing acting that this film has thanks to the performances of Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and even John C. Reilly. However it's nothing really groundbreaking or special - you've seen this type of film and action before, so there will be cliche moments that kinda remind you of old monster films and stories. In fact, Skull Island kinda takes a cue from Moby Dick and the first Predator film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Overall, would I recommend Kong: Skull Island? Absolutely for any fan of the giant monster and those who want to see a future brawlfest with the Big G himself. I may be "Team Godzilla" if I were to choose between the two, but I'm also a fan of the ape and remember the time I road the Universal Studios ride as a kid to see a Giant Animatronic Kong on the tour! This film did a good job in balancing the action, drama, terror, and comedy, so it's an enjoyable popcorn flick that will earn the attention of the masses and people who enjoy flicks that don't take themselves seriously. It won't replace the classic Kong film in terms of presence and stature, but this new version is a welcome addition, and despite facing generic monsters he's warming up to the main event with Godzilla. In fact, do stay until the end of the credits for a world building post credits scene... There's something there that makes everything a whole lot BIGGER.
Kong: Skull Island is now playing in theaters.
Rating - 4/5
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