Review: Kong: Skull Island (2017)

An Exciting Reboot with Stunning Visuals and Thrilling Action

Kong: Skull Island (2017), directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, is a bold and action-packed reboot of the King Kong franchise that reimagines the iconic monster in a modern, visually stunning way. Set in the 1970s, the film serves as both a fresh take on the classic story and a key entry in the MonsterVerse series, paving the way for a showdown between Kong and other titans in future films. With breathtaking visuals, a strong ensemble cast, and an explosive sense of adventure, Kong: Skull Island delivers an exhilarating cinematic experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Plot Overview

The story of Kong: Skull Island begins in 1973, as a secret government organization, led by William Randa (John Goodman), convinces the U.S. government to fund an expedition to the mysterious Skull Island, a previously uncharted landmass in the South Pacific. The island is rumored to be home to giant creatures, and Randa believes it holds vital importance for understanding global seismic activity. Along for the ride is a diverse group of military personnel, led by Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson), along with a tracker named James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) and a photojournalist, Mason Weaver (Brie Larson).

Upon their arrival, the team is quickly attacked by Kong, a massive, powerful ape who is revealed to be the island’s protector. As the group navigates the dangerous terrain, they discover that Kong is not the only giant creature on the island. They must band together to survive the island’s many threats, including giant insects, massive reptiles, and a terrifying group of predators known as the Skullcrawlers, all while uncovering the mysteries of Skull Island.

The Good: Stunning Visuals, Thrilling Action, and a Unique Take on Kong

1. Spectacular Visual Effects and Cinematography
The visuals in Kong: Skull Island are absolutely breathtaking. The film takes full advantage of modern CGI technology to bring the island’s colossal creatures to life. Kong himself is a marvel of design and animation, towering over everything around him with incredible detail and realistic movements. His facial expressions and physicality add a level of humanity to the character, making him feel not just like a monster, but a living, breathing being with his own emotions and motivations.

The island itself is a stunning backdrop, filled with lush jungles, towering mountains, and treacherous landscapes. The action sequences, particularly the helicopter assault scene early in the film, are executed with a level of intensity that makes them thrilling to watch. The film’s use of vibrant colors, coupled with the contrast between the natural beauty of the island and the dangerous creatures that inhabit it, creates a visually striking experience.

2. A Fresh Take on King Kong
Kong: Skull Island distinguishes itself from previous King Kong films by focusing more on the action and adventure aspects, rather than solely on Kong’s tragic story. While Kong’s relationship with the human characters is still a central theme, this iteration of the character is more of a protector than a victim. Rather than being portrayed as a misunderstood monster captured and brought to New York, Kong is shown as the ruler of his domain, defending his territory from the monstrous creatures that threaten his island.

This shift in perspective gives Kong a more heroic and dynamic role, allowing him to be both a fearsome creature and a protector of his home. The film also explores his scale in a way that makes him feel like a true force of nature. Kong is not merely a monster in the traditional sense; he’s a creature with purpose and strength, fighting not only for survival but for the balance of his world.

3. Strong Ensemble Cast
The cast of Kong: Skull Island is one of its standout strengths. Led by Tom Hiddleston as the rugged tracker James Conrad and Brie Larson as the determined photojournalist Mason Weaver, the film features a well-rounded ensemble that includes Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, and John C. Reilly. Each actor brings their own unique flavor to their respective roles, and the chemistry between the characters helps to elevate the film beyond its action-driven premise.

Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Colonel Packard is particularly memorable. His character starts as a professional soldier but quickly becomes consumed by a personal vendetta against Kong after the ape kills some of his men. This transformation from a level-headed officer to an obsessed antagonist adds depth to his character and provides a compelling secondary storyline that contrasts with the main arc of survival.

John C. Reilly’s performance as Hank Marlow, a stranded World War II soldier who has spent years on the island, provides much-needed humor and warmth to the film. His interactions with the other characters help ground the film in a sense of humanity, even amid the chaos of giant creatures and explosive action.

4. Action-Packed Adventure
Kong: Skull Island delivers non-stop action, with several thrilling set pieces that keep the tension high throughout the film. From the opening helicopter battle with Kong to the intense jungle chase sequences and the final showdown with the Skullcrawlers, the film never lets up on the excitement. The scale of the battles is immense, with Kong facing off against monsters of various shapes and sizes, all while navigating the dangerous island environment.

The film also manages to balance its action with quieter moments, particularly when exploring the island’s mysteries or developing character relationships. These slower scenes allow the audience to catch their breath and add emotional depth to the film before the next action-packed sequence kicks in.

The Weaknesses: Lack of Character Depth and Predictable Plot

1. Underdeveloped Characters
While the ensemble cast delivers strong performances, many of the characters in Kong: Skull Island lack significant development. Aside from Kong, Colonel Packard, and Hank Marlow, the other characters feel somewhat one-dimensional, serving more as archetypes than fully fleshed-out individuals. Characters like James Conrad and Mason Weaver have their moments, but their arcs are relatively straightforward, and they don’t have much emotional depth beyond their roles in the adventure.

The film’s focus on action and spectacle leaves little room for deeper character exploration, and while the film is certainly engaging, it would have benefited from more time spent developing the human characters’ motivations and relationships. This is particularly noticeable when compared to the more nuanced character-driven stories in other films of the genre.

2. Predictable Plot and Villains
The plot of Kong: Skull Island follows a familiar pattern of an expedition gone awry, with the characters stranded on the island and forced to survive against overwhelming odds. The overall structure of the film is predictable, with many of the story beats aligning with typical adventure and monster movie tropes. While the action and spectacle keep the film exciting, the lack of major twists or surprises in the narrative can make certain aspects feel formulaic.

The film’s villains, primarily Colonel Packard’s obsession with killing Kong and the Skullcrawlers, are also somewhat underdeveloped. While Packard’s transformation into a vengeful antagonist is compelling, his motivations are not explored in great depth, making his eventual conflict with Kong feel somewhat predictable. The Skullcrawlers are introduced as the primary threat to both the humans and Kong, but their backstory and significance to the island’s ecosystem are only briefly mentioned, leaving them feeling more like generic monsters rather than fully realized antagonists.

Themes and Messages

Kong: Skull Island touches on themes of survival, man versus nature, and the consequences of meddling with forces beyond human understanding. The film explores the idea of humans trying to control or conquer what they don’t understand, as seen in the way the expedition intrudes on Kong’s territory. Kong is not simply a creature to be tamed or defeated, but a protector of his home, symbolizing nature’s resilience and the consequences of humanity’s reckless behavior.

The relationship between Kong and the human characters, especially Colonel Packard, also reflects the dangers of obsession and revenge. While Kong is a force of nature to be reckoned with, the film suggests that it is humanity’s own destructive impulses—embodied by Packard—that are the true threats on Skull Island.

Standout Moments

• The Helicopter Assault
  The opening helicopter assault on Kong’s territory is one of the most exciting and visually stunning sequences in the film. The combination of intense action, aerial combat, and the looming presence of Kong creates a thrilling and chaotic introduction to the island.
• Kong’s Showdown with the Skullcrawlers
  The final battle between Kong and the Skullcrawlers is a spectacular display of action and power. Kong’s physicality and strength are on full display, and the battle is both intense and satisfying as it concludes the film on a high note.

Final Thoughts

Kong: Skull Island is an action-packed, visually stunning adventure that reinvents the King Kong story for a new generation. With breathtaking visuals, intense action sequences, and a fresh take on the iconic monster, the film is an exciting addition to the MonsterVerse. While the characters and plot may lack depth at times, the film’s exhilarating action and emotional core—centered around Kong’s relationship with the human characters—make it a thoroughly enjoyable ride. For fans of monster movies and blockbuster spectacle, Kong: Skull Island is an unforgettable experience.

Rating: 8/10

An exciting, visually captivating, and action-packed reimagining of King Kong, Kong: Skull Island is a thrilling adventure that serves as a strong foundation for the MonsterVerse.