This film review will not provide any major spoilers so read on! Please share your thoughts, share, and subscribe!
When bringing to the big screen one of cinemas most iconic characters, one must take care in planning and execution to avoid an embarrassment that could very well ruin one's career.
Luckily this was the case for young director Jordan Vogt-Roberts and writers Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly, and John Gatins. A character who's very presence brings terror to those around him while holding a fantastical appeal to those who watch from the theater and at home, King Kong is not to be messed with -- and rightfully so. A reboot within the newly formed Monsterverse, King Kong makes his way back onto the big screen in a way that can appeal to both newer audiences and ones who have grown up knowing the character for years.
Let's start from the top. The directing was fabulous. For a guy who had only directed two films in his career up until this one, he showed he can handle the pressure and pull off an incredibly well made reboot. The artistic choices made for the film were wonderful, and I will highlight one in particular: the choice of slow motion. I normally am not a fan of slo-mo in films but here it was used to perfection, especially in the action sequences which added to the color and flair of those scenes. Two thumbs up to Vogt-Roberts who can now add this fun flick to his resumé.
Speaking of artistry, the blend of colors were brilliantly done, giving off vibes of high intensity and volume, with the skies themselves acting as dazzling and vibrant covers over their world that is Skull Island. It manages to do so without feeling the least bit cartoonish, creating a setting of an island that's quite large but yet still feels small, truly feeling like a world of it's own. The overall creation of the island in which our human counterparts are stranded on is beautifully crafted with cinematography that's always pleasant to the eyes and is at times even breathtaking, and with the aforementioned colors, it creates an atmosphere that's consistent throughout the whole film giving it a personality and character of it's own.
The CGI was some of the most convincing and exceptional I've seen. Despite none of them being real, the creatures inhabiting the island completely sell the idea that monstrous and magnificent beings have walked the earth all this time right under our noses.
The creatures inhabiting Skull Island were quite real, done possible by CGI creating that much more terrifying (or likable) monsters who roam about.
Skull Island is packed with an all star cast and all played their parts as well as anyone could have. Leading man Tom Hiddleston gave quite the surprise performance for me. I've only seen him as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a couple small roles in War Horse and A Midnight in Paris, but seeing him take the lead role and thrive was a lot of fun to watch. And while he isn't the film's protagonist, he is most definitely the leading human role in the film, adding some depth to his role. Oh, he was an awesome action hero as well so there's that. Co-stars Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John C. Reilly, Toby Kebbell, and John Goodman were nothing short of perfection with Goodman and Reilly specifically standing out for me, portraying the man behind the expedition to the uncharted island (Goodman) and a man who has lost the life he once had (Reilly). But even more so, Kong was a character who had some emotional connection to him (despite not being human) and motion capture actor Terri Notary plays it very very well, portraying a younger more adolescent Kong who is still learning. I'm super happy the human element wasn't missing (as many times is when a monster film is made) in this story, but even more so I loved that the film's protagonist WAS Kong. He wasn't a monster trashing everything, or supporting character who's name happens to be in the title of the film, but was much much more than that.
An all around stellar cast helps support the film's true leading "man" - Kong, who is played by Terri Notary
Of course this is in the end, a monster movie. And all good monster movies have exciting action. The bouts between Kong and the "Skull Crawlers" are action packed and remind you of why you went to go see this film, with a finale that's worth it all. Add some scary and tense moments with the humans and giant spiders and the "Skull Crawlers" that will convince you to never go to a jungle island for the rest of your life, this films action is done to perfection. A specific scene where Tom Hiddleston's character goes on his own to take on some dinosaur-esque birds with a sword was pretty awesome, showcasing his ability to play the action hero with conviction. I will repeat myself and say how much I loved the slo-mo in this films action sequences.
The final math between Kong (left) and the adult "Skull Crawler" is truly a monster epic
Once again, Kong is the center of the film, beginning with a grand and epic entrance, his presence is felt throughout, and thanks to tip top CGI and a perfect performance from Terri Notary, Warner Bros. have successfully revived one of cinemas greatest fictional characters.
Final Grade: 7.5/10
