Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Written by: Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly
Year: 2017
The original King Kong is undoubtedly one of cinema's finest achievements. The effects were well ahead of its time and the story wrapped its audience in a world of pure fantasy unlike anything before. As such, it has been remade, referenced, and parodied countless times (the price of being iconic). But this latest variation is going about things very differently. Kong: Skull Island looks to connect to a wider monster universe, which includes 2014's Godzilla and will lead up to an eventual fight between these two Goliaths. Is this film of kingly worth, or too concerned with franchise-building?
In the early 70s, a team of soldiers, explorers, and scientists band together for an expedition to an uncharted island. However, their arrival upsets the resident protector; Kong, a massive ape. But it seems that Kong might be the least of their worries, for there is a far greater danger that lies beneath the surface.
Kong: Skull Island roars onto the screen with an exciting prologue that gives the audience a little taste of the titular character before shifting its focus back to the humans. Speaking of humans, there are quite a number of them to mention. John Goodman is addicting to watch as the determined and slightly menacing believer in mythical creatures. Tom Hiddleston does great work as a notorious tracker/hunter by the name of Conrad (an obvious reference to the author of Heart of Darkness, which inspired Apocalypse Now, which in turn heavily influenced this film). Brie Larson elevates her character with a strong performance and sure-handed conviction.
Samuel L. Jackson taps into his usual routine to deliver a lovingly abhorrent villain, who is a bit deeper than a first glance would indicate. Toby Kebbel is unfortunately plain as one of the soldiers, but he delivers in another aspect of the film that I will touch upon later. John C. Reilly plays quite the risky character from a tonal point of view. He is the kooky comedic relief, which could have gone sour so easily. But Reilly is able to effortlessly make the character work and manages to be one of the most enjoyable parts of the picture.
While the performances from the ensemble cast are commendable overall, the characters themselves are quite shallow. There are a few attempts made to flesh them out a little, but they often fail to connect. The subplot involving Kebbel's character fails to resonate, and Larson's protagonist has zero characterization beyond being an anti-war photographer. The majority of the crew are cardboard cutouts with little substance to latch onto. Goodman, Jackson, and Reilly are the only ones that receive any sort of successful character development.
The lack of character depth is most likely a result of this film being a B-movie; and to its credit, the picture is fully aware of its standing. It knows that it is a big budget popcorn flick, but damn does it aim to be the best B-movie it can be by expertly using its available resources. Though lacking in character development, the interactions between the explorers are engrossing to watch due to the actors having such great chemistry; so much so, that when the second act rolls around (devoid of much action or thrills) I found myself completely engaged with the story and learning about Skull Island and its lore.
Much of that is probably due to the fact that this film is marvelous to look at. The eponymous region is wonderfully realized and brimming with imaginative concepts. The creatures that inhabit this lush environment range from enormous moss-covered oxen and towering spiders with bamboo-like legs, to a giant insect seemingly made entirely of wood (notice a common theme?). The antagonistic and questionably named skull-crawlers are the least impressive of the creatures, but serve as a credible threat and elicit a menacing presence. The set design is also top-notch, with the native village being a particular strong point.
In addition, the movie was filmed in glorious fashion, with creative, crisp framing and exquisite long shots. Kong: Skull Island has a very distinctive style that is made obvious within the first few minutes. The credits are styled like vintage camera footage and the Vietnam War was a clear inspiration, as it plays a significant role in the picture. But perhaps the best aspect is the use of color-grading. The film alternates between various striking tints, each one evoking a different mood. From grimy greens and overwhelming reds, to bodacious blues and sun-bathed yellows, Kong: Skull Island is indisputably masterful in its execution of color-grading and using it as a means to progress the story.
But now onto the main event; Kong. In order to fit into this larger monster universe, the iconic ape received a major upgrade in size. The titan gorilla now towers at a staggering 100 feet, dwarfing his predecessors. The CGI work overall is exceptional across the board, but Kong looks especially good. His movements and behavior are brought to life by Terry Notary and Toby Kebbel through performance-capture technology. They both do a fantastic job at portraying the beast. Kong's screen-time is divided evenly and appropriately, escaping both overexposure and dissatisfaction. He is the most impressive factor of the film, and rightfully so.
Kong's enormous strength is displayed in several fight scenes. There are not too many action sequences involving the oversized ape, but the ones that are present are certainly memorable. The way he "welcomes" the foreigners is both invigorating and brutal. And even when Kong is not on screen, the action surrounding the humans is equally thrilling and well-handled. But without a doubt, the climactic final battle is the main takeaway of this picture. Rather than obscure the action with a bunch of shaky close-ups, the film elects to showcase the fight almost exclusively in medium and long shots, allowing the audience to become completely enveloped and understand the scope of the situation with clarity. The concluding slobberknocker is indescribably entrancing and exhilarating., and a killer way to end the film.
Kong: Skull Island makes for ideal escapism and provides plenty of high-caliber, blockbuster action. The cast is terrific and well-rounded; the quickly paced story is more enthralling than expected; the sets and visuals are standouts; the direction is impeccably stylish; Kong is a sight to behold as well as a technical marvel; and the action is always intense and well-crafted. The characters are as hollow as the island for the most part; there are a few moments of hammy, clunky dialogue; and it is not the most poignant of films, but that does not stop the picture from being consistently entertaining. Warner Bros. seems to have gotten a foothold in establishing its monsterverse without having to dedicate this film to franchise-building. If you are in the mood for a solid action/adventure flick, Kong: Skull Island is more than up to the task.
Grade: B+
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