Kong: Skull Island review: Dropping the ‘King’ from his name makes this ape no less a leader in the monster pack.
Kong: Skull Island review by Luke Ryan Baldock, March 2017.
Kong: Skull Island review
Apocalypse Kong (as it should be known) is the best way to sum up this latest cinematic outing for the gigantic ape. He’s back and he’s literally bigger than ever, taking on a much needed size reconfiguration in order to level the playing field for when he takes on Japan’s World Monster Champion, Godzilla. For those of you who are just here for Kong though, don’t fret, as this is very much his movie, and it’s a solo project with very few hints towards what is to come. Although you may wish to stay after the credits.
Starting off in 1944, Kong: Skull Island sets its tone very early, as two World War II fighter pilots (one American and one Japanese) are shot down over the island we’ll get to know very well over the next two hours. As the two chase each other and engage in combat, their feud is cut short by the arrival of the titular King. Cut to the 1970s, and President Nixon has just ‘abandoned’ the war in Vietnam. Sensing the country will be a little worse for wear on the financial front, head of M.O.N.A.R.C.H, Bill Randa (John Goodman), decides this is his last chance to launch an expedition to Skull Island, a recently discovered island (shaped like a skull no less) that may hold secrets including the cure for cancer, limitless gold, or perhaps just big assed monsters.
Kong: Skull Island review
Randa hires the likes of ex-SAS tracker James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), celebrated war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), and is escorted by a platoon, who were about to go home, lead by Colonel Packard (Samuel L. Jackson). It isn’t long before they encounter the wrath of Kong, but he may not be the most dangerous inhabitant on the island.
Kong: Skull Island is simple monster movie mayhem at its best. The characters get there, all with some form of motivation, but then it’s survival of the luckiest. Kong looks phenomenal is every single sequence he inhabits, looming over the entire island. His texture, his interaction with his surroundings and human characters, and even his expressions are on point. This may be more action orientated, but the fabulous work of the effects team squeeze out all the required emotions and empathy in a fraction of the time that Peter Jackson did. Who needs juggling and ice-skating when a mere touch of the lip and close-ups of the eyes works just as well? Jordan Vogt-Roberts is an unexpected but perfectly suited choice to direct. It may be a sophomore effort off the back of a little indie darling, but he never lets on to that fact. The action is fluid and clear, with flourishes of beautifully timed artistic framing, and can also get very grisly and painful. The variants in monsters also adds for some variety in the action.
Kong: Skull Island review
Taking inspiration from Apocalypse Now is also an inspired decision. From the time in which it is set, the music of the era, John C. Reilley’s more comedic spin on Dennis Hopper’s photographer, Jackson’s gradual decline into Colonel Kurtz insanity, the stunning terror of explosions lighting up the sky, and a gunship travelling down a river; just add an ape and you’re onto a winner. The folly of war and its effects on the environment are also a needed prevalent theme, with Jackson’s hatred of Kong for the death of his men spiralling beyond the bigger picture.
The faults of the movie lie in its genre, with a plethora of characters each given some motivation, but never holding the screen long enough to feel truly explored. Corey Hawkins, Tian Jing, and Toby Kebbell all do a fine job, but wouldn’t be missed on the cutting room floor. There’s also some clunky exposition that doesn’t always feel necessary. As it stands, we have a brilliant creature feature with guts and balls. I may be a devoted Godzilla fan, but the G-Man is going to have to hit the gym if he wants to retain that King of the Monsters moniker come their inevitable throwdown.
Kong: Skull Island review by Luke Ryan Baldock, March 2017.
Kong: Skull Island is released in UK cinemas on Friday 10th March, 2017.
