Hitting theaters this Friday is one of our first big blockbusters of the year, Kong: Skull Island. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts brings us a fresh take on the myth of KONG with the help of Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, John Goodman, Corey Hawkins, and John C. Reilly. This film is set at the tale end of the Vietnam War and right about the time that new satellite photos immerge showing an unexplored island that is being called Skull Island. John Goodman plays Bill Randa a man who is hell bent on tracking down mythical creatures and manages to convince the government to let him ride along on an exploration missing. After hiring a professional photographer, Mason Weaver (Larson), and an expert tracker, James Conrad (Hiddleston) the team sets out with the military to explore the island. Our military team is lead by Preston Packard (Jackson), who is not exactly thrilled with the war being over and is just a little too excited about taking on one last mission before having to go back home. Things, of course, are not what they seem and when they arrive on the island and become faced with the largest ape they have ever seen things quickly take a turn for the worst. The team soon learns that there are far worse things on this island besides the giant Kong.
This film is just plain fun. There is plenty of action, comedy, and drama for everyone in this movie. The way this film is shot definitely pays homage to the old school monster films like King Kong and Godzilla. It is stylish and refreshing to see. The story is entertaining from start to finish and the casting really couldn't have been better for this one. Everyone really feels right for the respective roles. I am not gonna lie, part of me was worried that this film would be another The Legend of Tarzan, but it really delivers on all fronts. The special effects team deserves praise for their work on Kong himself as well as the other baddies in the film. The director manages the suspense well and keeps everything flowing nicely, breaking up the more tense moments will well-placed humor. It is a good time.
We scored Kong: Skull Island with an A+. It was everything I could have wanted from this movie. Plus, make sure that you stay until the very end of the credits (you will not be disappointed by this end of credits scene). I am really hoping this film does well enough to bring more from the director and cast. This could be a wonderful chance to really bring back big monster flicks in a cool way to a whole new audience.
Kong: Skull Island hit theaters everywhere March 10th. Get out to the theaters, head to the IMAX and don't miss Kong: Skull Island!