Starring: John Goodman, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, John C. Reilly.
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Release Date: 9th March 2017
Set just after the end of the Vietnam War in 1973, a secret mission is approved by a US Senator to go to an uncharted Island, where mysterious events have been reported for many many years. Bill Randa (John Goodman) leads the team, alongside an ex-SAS British Forces soldier turned hired Tracker, James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), an award winning photographer, Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) and a small band of US Army soldiers to act as an escort, led by Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson). The make the long journey on a huge ship called The Athena, but then have to make the last part of the journey via helicopter. The journey is extremely hazardous and everyone is very scared, especially as they try to pass through a huge atmospheric cloud. Luck is on their side, and soon they land and try to get their bearings. They set off a load of explosions to try and help map the Island but soon they encounter sights and creatures never seen before. Can they complete their mission and discover the Island’s secrets or will they fall prey to the unseen Forces and dangerous creatures?
A brand new take on the story of ‘King Kong’, the last one was done back in 2005 and starred Jack Black. Of course, everyone remembers the original b/w movie from back in 1933 with the brilliant Fay Wray, and obviously things have moved on quite considerably with technology since those early years of movie-making. Thankfully this is a new imagining and different story. There are no real lead roles in ‘Kong: Skull Island’, with the entire cast pitching in equally, though of course the movie is stolen continuously by the amazing creatures that live on the Island. As with most movies these days, there is an obligatory ‘baddie’ in the shape of Samuel L. Jackson’s character, though I don’t believe that he knows what he does is bad, or that his actions will have dire consequences that will affect everyone on the Island.
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this new take on the famous story of ‘Kong’, and sometimes find that it’s better to go into movies like this with no expectations or pre-conceptions. I have to say that I absolutely loved this movie. Quite possibly one of the best movies I’ve seen in recent times. I really enjoyed it from start to finish, though the scenes where Kong is attacked by the soldiers was quite hard to watch. I’m very much an animal lover and can’t bear to see any creature injured, even those that only exist in CGI. Crazy but true. The CGI in the movie is absolutely stunning and Kong himself is just breath-taking. The VFX team at ILM actually spent pretty much a whole year just working on, shaping and sculpting Kong’s incredible 19 Million hairs! If that isn’t dedication, then I don’t know what is. Tom Hiddleston was a bit of a strange choice for an action hero but I guess he’s riding a wave of popularity at the moment. I don’t really see what all the fuss is about to be honest. The one character that did get my heckles up was Samuel L. Jackson’s Lieutenant Colonel. I really hated his character by the end of the movie. Again, it was all down to his actions against Kong, but I guess he was just doing his job and protecting his men… John C. Reilly was fantastic and quirky as always and added a great comedic angle to the proceedings.
‘Kong: Skull Island’ is a brilliant brilliant movie that I’m pretty sure most people will love. If you love action and adventure and seeing some jaw dropping fight scenes then definitely go and see this film. If you can see it in IMAX 3D then please do. You won’t regret it!
Overall: 9/10
