I’ve been a pretty big King Kong fan for most of my adult life. The original 1933 classic was the first special-effects blockbuster that broke every established rule and opened up the world’s collective mind to the potential of film as a storytelling medium. Peter Jackson’s 2004 remake was a brilliant and poignant love poem to its progenitor that spent the first half of its running time as an excellent drama and the back half as an unparalleled action bonanza (the T-Rex battle may still be my favorite fight ever committed to film). There have been plenty of other Kong films over the years, but those two are the standouts, and I included them both on my Films That Every Self-Professed Film Lover Should See list that I did over a year ago. (I plan on doing a follow-up to that list, as soon as I can find the time.)
Now, Kong is back. This is a new Kong – a bigger Kong. And he comes with a new director and a new cast. The marketing for this one has looked fun, but has also come off as rather empty. I haven’t been crazy about the lighter tone, though the cast is impeccable. But the best Kong films of the past have carried with them significant heart and a palpable weight to the proceedings. I got the impression that this new film (by fledgling director Jordan Vogt-Roberts) contained little-to-none of that. Was that the case, or just a misrepresentation by the marketing department? And, if true, would the action and monster mayhem adequately compensate?
It’s always a risk to hire a new director for a film this huge. Oftentimes, their inexperience shows and lessens the impact and scale. And then there are other times when a new face comes along with a unique eye, and that’s what Vogt-Roberts brings to the table in Kong: Skull Island. I would love to know what he presented to Warner Brothers that earned their trust in him as they handed him the reigns to this film, but I suspect it was fresh and unexpected.
The cast is robust and packed with reliable fan-favorites alongside talented rising stars and they work wonderfully together. John C. Reilly’s character had the most potential for dampening the film’s tone, but Reilly is a seasoned professional and knows exactly where to place his performance on the Humor Spectrum so that he never becomes a caricature. And get used to seeing Brie Larson. After winning an Oscar for her genius performance in Room (my favorite film of 2015), Kong is just the next rung for her on the Ladder to Superstardom as she’ll appear in next year’s Avengers: Infinity War as Marvel’s preeminent female hero, Captain Marvel. Her screen presence in Kong further justifies that casting decision as she stands tall next to the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Goodman. Toby Kebbell steps in as well, hopefully redeeming himself in the eyes of geeks around the world after being brutally miscast as Doctor Doom in Josh Trank’s 2015 Fantastic Four film. No complaints about the cast; they gel well and all translate as natural and believable.
There are numerous callbacks and nods to not only previous Kong films, but other monster franchises, as well. In addition to those older Kong movies, I saw references to Godzilla, the Jurassic Park films, and even 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Vogt-Roberts certainly loves the genre and all of those little Easter eggs will delight anyone with sharp eyes, ears, and the requisite knowledge to pick up on them.
Oh, wait, this is an action movie, isn’t it? No worries; WB and Vogt-Roberts know exactly what audiences are expecting and won’t leave them disappointed. Vogt-Roberts uses that keen eye of his to deliver some of the most visually innovative action brawls we’ve ever seen. He keeps the camera wide and slows the action down by just a beat or two in order to ensure that every frame is easily digestible and impactful. There are no tight, fast shots that will require the viewer to lean over and ask their neighbor exactly what just happened. Vogt-Roberts has an intuitive knack for this sort of filmmaking and I welcome him to this industry with open arms.
Happily, I can also state that there is meaningful subtext for those who wish to see it. John Goodman’s opening line sets the tone, but it goes deeper than that tongue-in-cheek jab (that I’ll let you discover for yourself). This story largely takes place in the seventies, against the backdrop of post-Vietnam America. Every character in our cast is hurting and licking their wounds in some form or another, desperate for anything that feels like a victory, whether of the personal sort or in the broader, more patriotic sense. And then . . . they find themselves on Skull Island. There are no true villains in the film. But as each character’s individualized versions of “victory” begins to manifest, conflict naturally occurs and the cast becomes fleshed out, believable, and empathetic. Mix in the theme of man versus nature, and Kong: Skull Island exists (and succeeds) on several different levels. And, as a result, it should please all types of moviegoers.
I’m not going to say that Kong: Skull Island is as strong as Peter Jackson’s remake, because it isn’t (it lacks the poetry and heart of that film), but I suspect it will be more of a widespread crowdpleaser than that film, due solely to its significantly more abbreviated runtime. But it’s also a completely different film than that one, with a different story, different characters, and different goals. If you like Kong/giant monster/Kaiju films at all, you owe it to yourself to check this film out. I can’t fathom how anyone with a predilection for this sort of thing could possibly be disappointed by it. If you haven’t indulged in giant monster movies, this could be a great place to start. In any event, Kong: Skull Island is a raucous event of a movie that exists on whatever level the beholder chooses to view it (hopefully in IMAX 3D. Or at least in 3D. Feel it; don’t settle for looking at it.). If you want to have nothing less than a fun time escaping at the movies, Skull Island should be your final destination.
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