Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
By Alex Watson
As Warner Bros works its way towards an ultimate showdown between Kong and Godzilla- Kong: Skull Island makes for a decent start. While not as faithful or eye opening as Peter Jackson's most recent version, director Jordan Vogt-Roberts makes King Kong a real presence. Moving the action to the end of Vietnam war does work surprisingly well, but this movie is let down by some poorly written characters.
As Vietnam draws to a close, government official Bill Randa (John Goodman) leads an expedition to an uncharted island in the South Pacific. Randa believes this system contains creatures never seen by humanity. Along for the ride are tracker James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), notable photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) and Lt.Colonel Packard (Samuel L Jackson) whose Sky Devil's squad is providing escort. Once on the island, they will come face to face with one particularly large ape who is less than pleased with their arrival.
Although Kong: Skull Island provides thrills in abundance, it's also lacking in several areas too. Jordan Vogt-Roberts shows us a magnificent new Kong who from the moment he is introduced, chaos rains down. Ascending out of a hellish storm, the helicopters are greeted by a lush and breathtaking landscape. While they play their rock n roll music and carelessly drop their explosive 'scientific instruments' an ungodly sight will soon roam into view. Within moments of his arrival, the full force of Kong is unleashed. This eye-opening introduction is literally like watching the wrath of God and the movie revealing its trump early is a very smart move. This Kong comes off as the deepest personality in this jungle after his real motives are revealed. Vogt-Roberts also literally makes him bigger than ever before. Protecting his realm with a furious passion, this giant ape is one we definitely cheer for.
In this adventure, Kong is not the most dangerous creature lurking. Giant spiders, squids and gigantic insects are just a few of the threats that stand in their way. The biggest danger of all comes from the Skullcrawlers, an almost dinosaur-like creature whom Kong has been brawling with for years. Coming from deep beneath the earth, the human's arrival has lead to them being awakened and Kong becoming pissed! They may look innocuous at first but soon their threat is made clear. Vogt-Roberts' movie might be a glorified run through the jungle (Yes that Neil Young song does appear) but it makes the most of the thrills offered. This edge of your seat stuff makes this a better movie and anyone just wanting a dosage of dumb fun will feel right at home.
Packard's desire for revenge does add some colour to proceedings. Bloodthirsty after watching his men fall to Kong, he threatens everyone's chance of survival. Vogt-Roberts does well to cling to the B-movie origins in the movie's final third and there is a pure joy watching him scrap with Skullcrawlers. Although it lacks the depth and emotion of Peter Jackson's version, it isn't any less entertaining. This picture is merely a warm-up act for the main act and once WB and Legendary get there, that's when things get interesting. Kong: Skull Island might have some misfires, but it is nonetheless still a solid piece of work and the big ape has never looked better.
Part of the issue with this movie is that the characters on display are rather drab. Conrad is an ex-SAS soldier who spends the movie just making plans.Tom Hiddleston has a great presence but is given little to work with. Brie Larson's Weaver is a character clearly meant to fill the old Fay Wray mould, but instead merely comes off as blank and uninteresting. Samuel L Jackson comes off as the movies strong link as after the death of several of his men turns him into a vengeful Captain Ahab figure. Marooned WWII veteran Frank Marlowe (John C Reilly) adds some needed comic relief to proceedings and his guidance proves key to survival throughout.
Kong: Skull Island might be lacking a few key areas but for sheer enjoyment, it is a great start. Sit back and enjoy Kong, nothing else required.
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