Contains Spoilers!!!
This is certainly an interesting adaptation on the old classic. I prefer it to the other remakes that have been done, and I find its epic CGI to be brilliant. However, I think its plot has holes, knowing what it leads to and what it is a part of.
In my mind, a remake of a classic has to be big and needs to do the original justice. I think this does. Everything is big, a little excessive in size perhaps, and dramatic, but it doesn’t go so far as to be cheesy and have the same ending or forces a love story. That’s what makes it an up-to-date remake.
The war in Vietnam has ended and the American’s are pulling out. However, an unknown scientific group called Monarch call for some military support to explore an unchartered island, recently discover via satellite. They know what’s there, but no one else does. However, once arrived, things very quickly go south, and things get desperate. Tom Hiddlestone plays the British former SAS soldier hired to guide the team on the ground and is suave, in command and compassionate. Samuel L. Jackson plays the bad-ass Colonel of the military detachment, and he plays it like only SLJ can. John C. Reilly brings a small element of comedy to the film, while also showing differences mean nothing.
The significant difference being the reason for Kong to exist. That links Kong: Skull Island with Godzilla: King of Monsters (2019) and Godzilla vs Kong (2021), following Godzilla (2014). It’s a brilliantly done with its cast and survival action focus, getting away from the love-story/human domination story. This theme runs through all the films (I have yet to see Godzilla vs Kong).
This issue I have with Kong: Skull Island is going to ruin the film for those who haven’t seen it yet. However, to skirt around it without saying too much, I think the franchise could easily be ruined by the next one. I feel that things said in Godzilla: King of Monsters and knowing what happens throughout Kong: Skull Island could clash and contradict each other. I can see things being added or left out in order to keep the plot working.
I will review Godzilla: King of Monsters soon and build up to Godzilla vs Kong. I hope that it all works out. I want this to round off nicely and not have to rant on about errors and cheap twists or plot holes.
Directed by: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Screenplay by: Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly
Based on: “King Kong” by Edgar Wallace & Merian C. Cooper
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly
Released: February 28th, 2017
My Rating: 6/10
Comments