In all honesty, I did not think that there was an overwhelming outcry to do another Kong movie. It has been remade over the years and while it is part of the American cultural filmscape, it is hardly what I would call a revered box office property nor a fan favorite..The whole purpose of this film was that studios are scrambling to launch franchises that mirrors Marvel’s shared universe success (see also Tom Cruise’s reboot of the Mummy coming soon). Add to that an ensemble list of A-list actors (who all coincidentally? star in the Marvel movies) and I smelled artistic and box office poison. If I am going to be completely honest, I have to confess that, try as I wanted to not like this film, I actually enjoyed myself. ‘Kong: Skull Island’ doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet still gives us an action adventure joy ride that is a fresh re-imagining of the iconic character.
The key to the success of these mega-monster movies is the supporting human cast. The monsters are just too big and too removed to create an engaging story, so the storyline usually falls on the cast of characters encountering and reacting to the giant beasts. The movie’s prelude opens during WWII as a Japanese and American pilot who have crash landed on an island battle each other for survival. The appearance of Kong is revealed and stops the soldier’s death battle. Flash-forward to the early 70’s where the film does an adept job of using time period music and exotic locales to capture the feel of Vietnam War coming to a close. Marginalized scientists Randa and Brookes (John Goodman and Corey Hawkins) view the ending of the Vietnam War as their last chance for respect and scramble to find government funding to support a mission to explore a mysterious Bermuda Triangle style island in the South Pacific. This has been Randa’s lifelong obsession and he finally finds funding approval in addition to a Ranger team on its’ way home from Vietnam to escort them on their mission. Randa goes to Vietnam to rendezvous with the military team and also recruits the local ex-pat tracker, James Conrad (a newly buff Tom Hiddleston) and an anti-war photographer, Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) to document the trip. The leader of the military team is Col Preston Packard (played intensely by Samuel L Jackson). We sense the seeds of trouble in the beginning as Col Preston is overly eager to volunteer his men for this assignment as the military is what gives his life purpose and he is mourning the end of the war.
The disparate team sets flight for the island and immediately and catastrophically encounter Kong. The special effects are impressive and made all the more horrifying by how the battle is filmed. Hats off to Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts for his unique style of shooting these scenes. The rest of the movie is what remains of the expedition frantically tying to make it to the extraction point while battling through the islands natural horrors. Along the way they encounter the American WWII pilot Lt Hank Marlow (played comedically by John C Riley) from the opening scene who acts as their guide through the dangerous wilderness. From a story point of view, Marlow provides explanation and context for Kong's existence and how he came to be. Just as dangerous as the Islands natural horrors is Col Packard’s obsession to avenge the death of members of his squad by killing Kong. Samuel L Jackson channels both ‘Apocalypse Now’ and ‘Moby Dick’ in exploring Col Packard’s almost suicidal obsession with bringing the beast down.
The highlight of this film for me was just the uniqueness at approaching the tired subject matter. Clever dialogue, fantastic special effects, and a unique filming vision elevates this film to a very enjoyable popcorn movie and we feel as if it isn’t something we’ve seen before. There are no “cannon-fodder” deaths. By that I mean we get to know each of these men on the team as individuals which it makes all the more impactful when they meet their demises. Again, hats off to the Director for great story telling. I highly recommend and this film for old and new fans alike. It also demonstrates Tom Hiddleston’s ability to be the lead in a film. I hope we see much more of him outside his Loki role in years to come. In grand Marvel tradition (which this film is not), stay until after the credits to see what is coming next for the shared universe concept of Kong.
I give this film *** stars
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