Not long after the Vietnam War, a series of individuals: scientists, researchers, and U.S. military travel to an unfamiliar island in the Pacific. Once they arrive, however, they quickly realize that the place they believed to be uninhabited is quite the opposite. The issues they will soon face come at the hands of the residents of this uncharted island, and their lives will quickly be turned upside down. Kong: Skull Island tells the story of this makeshift group of individuals doing whatever they can to survive at the hands of the mighty Kong; but do they have what it takes?
In the wake of Project X, Avengers, and Straight Outta Compton, a series of films that defined actors’ careers, Kong: Skull Island grouped a number of individuals together that should appear out of place. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. What initially appears as a hodgepodge of actors plays out as one of the greatest castings of all time. No, Brie Larson, Thomas Mann, and Corey Hawkins weren’t the biggest names in Hollywood at this time, but the talent they possess is truly impressive. The writing and directing is beautifully done, but those aspects of Kong: Skull Island are perfectly supplemented thanks to Sarah Finn’s ability to cast. This somewhat motley crew of actors meld wonderfully together and manage to possess a chemistry that allows the film to play out smoothly and without issue.
King Kong has, for years, played a significant role in Hollywood. At times he has dominated the box office, and other times, Godzilla has reigned champion. However, it seems that a film of this magnitude has managed to escape Kong throughout his illustrious history. Kong: Skull Island takes the legend of Kong to a new level. Other than giving Kong his very own island, this ensemble cast creates a massive following. What’s beautiful about Kong: Skull Island is that the cast, regardless of their Hollywood prowess, is dispensable. Viewers are typically able to tell, based on how popular an actor is, whether or not they will survive until the end of the film, however, writers Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, and Derek Connolly don’t give a sh*t. They understand that keeping viewers on the edge of their seats plays a significant role in how successful their film is, and they do their best to keep their audience guessing.
The world has known Kong to be a massive force in the world, but Kong: Skull Island makes the world even bigger. While viewers enter this film assuming that the majority of the film would focus on Kong, the reality of everything that transpires is that the film is used as a device to prepare the world for Godzilla vs. Kong. The film uses a series of individuals and a number of unique creatures to drive the story of Kong and build up to the massive showdown that will ultimately occur between the two kings of the big screen.
The writers and director Jordan Vogt-Roberts understand how to build a film at the optimum speed. They do a wonderful job of slowly introducing the immense number of cast members, but are quickly able to transition to high-octane action to keep viewers intrigued. For fans of the past Kong and Godzilla installations there are a number of easter eggs hidden throughout to appeal to that audience. However, for the rest of us, the ones who haven’t followed the massive monster, Kong: Skull Island is an exciting journey from beginning to end, and the perfect jumping off point for this version of the beloved animal and his upcoming adventures around the world.
Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts.
Written by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly, John Gatins, Merian C. Cooper, & Edgar Wallace.
Starring Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly, John Goodman, Corey Hawkins, John Ortiz, Tian Jing, Toby Kebbell, Jason Mitchell, Shea Whigham, Thomas Mann, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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