King Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Writers:
Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly, story by John Gatins. Based on characters created by Marion Cooper, and Edgar Wallace.
Cast:
Tom Hiddleston (James Conrad), Samuel L. Jackson (Preston Packard), Bri Larson (Mason Weaver), John C. Reilly (Hank Marlow), John Goodman (Bill Randa), Corey Hawkins (Houston Brooks), and John Ortiz (Victor Nieves).
Opening Sequence:
Growing up as a kid watching monster movies, like Godzilla, Mothra, and King Kong. The Japanese Godzilla had a fist to cuffs moment with King Kong VS Godzilla (1962). The film was absolutely fantastic; At least to me it was. Watching old movies, and especially the Godzilla monster battle royal. These movies were all good, yes they're all cheesy, but at least these films had what we want as monster nuts, and that is monster galore. The evolution of these particular movies did roll in the right direction; It was after King Kong Lives (1986) the film received bad reviews. What did you expect, it's a monster movie. You're not ever going to get the right response, no matter who the director is, it's the kinda movies that will almost always get bad reviews. With out further adieu, King Kong: Skull Island.
Review:
"So this was never about geology? You dropped those charges to flush something out. Who are you? -Preston Packard-
1944 a remote island. A plane crashes, explodes as it hits the ground. A parachute opens, Lieutenant Hank Marlow (Will Brittain) lands on the ground safe, The enemy, also landed, he manages to take off his parachute quicker than the enemy. The other plane had almost hit at the same time. The soldier, an enemy. Both sides look at at each other, ready to advance, despite the location, and surroundings. Gunpei Ikari (Miyavi) he had drawn his gun, fired shots, and missed. Ikari chases Marlow, they both get into a hand to hand for the moment; Ikari pulls out his sword, both get into a grapple, sword hitting Marlow's hand, instead of killing the American, Marlow manages to hold the attack, by clasping the sword with both his hands. Suddenly a massive arm comes down before them, it trembles the ground, both men look in fear. The second arm hits the ground, massive hands grab the ground, as if the beast was going to lift himself up. The reflection is only seen as the sword turns to the creatures direction. An image of a large Ape...The camera focuses on Marlow's eye, just like the sword, an image of the creature looms before him.
"This planet doesn't belong to us. Ancient species owned this earth long before mankind. I spent 30 years trying to prove the truth: Monsters exist." -Bill Randa-
Good:
The special effects in the film was amazing, it really conveyed what the writers wanted on screen. Skull island was beautiful, yet very dangerous. The way it just came on screen blew my mind. The vastness of the location, really felt like there was danger with every step. Especially when they used the bombs to flush out Kong, which worked to perfection. The way Kong opened on screen with in the first Act was awesome. Those two soldiers fighting, each from opposite sides of the war, and then when the big guy showed up, you really put things into perspective. This is his home, and no matter what you do, that big creature known to audiences all over the world as King Kong. This is his island, a place where he is the master, not man.
I loved the way the island was found, it made sense, by the time Monarch had found the island, everything to that point was pretty much a big mess. Sort of like in Jurassic Park when Hammond had a dream, but those dinosaurs couldn't be contained. The wild eventually will break free from the chains. And in the book, film alike Hammond had made crucial mistakes. Bill Randa (John Goodman) was just like Hammond, but Randa was a bit more on the bad side. The way he conveyed the character on film was good, i really hated him during his scenes.
Tom Hiddleston (James Conrad) was perfect for this kind of film. He had just the right dynamic, which he conveyed nicely. Granted Loki did play in the back of my mind, and no matter what he does, Loki will always be there, at least to me that is. Samuel L. Jackson (Preston Packard) did play his usual bad ass character. He really cared for nothing but himself. The environment didn't matter, he just wanted to kill things. But, Jackson did play the character right on target. A cookie cutter military character that was portrayed well on film. Bri Larson (Mason Weaver) my favorite character in the film, the photographer that was the love interest for the big bad 100 ft Ape called Kong. Yup, how cool is that. She will eventually play Captain Marvel, but seeing her in other roles, before her superhero part is cool as well. It shows her range as an actress. Finally we have Corey Hawkins (Houston Brooks) AKA i will try on the shoes of the man in that FOX show 24. The bad-ass! character in 24 to the intelligent, Brooks. Again these actors really played their parts well, and they showed they could play different parts which makes them likable.
Bad:
I left out John C. Reilly for a good reason, because when he is in any films you might want to back off a bit. John plays Hank Marlow the soldier in the first Act of the film. Opening sequence where he was fighting the opposition soldier. Marlow was the guy on the island the team had as a guide. Unfortunately Reilly plays the same character in all his films. You know with out a shadow of doubt this dude will be the comedic part in the film. Granted he is a comedic actor, but if you want range then give him a serious part. But in the case for King Kong: Skull Island i could understand why they went with this cast. The guy on the island for sometime developed a bit of craziness, which would make sense why they picked Reilly for the part. I just don't think he was a strong enough of a character for the film, he's to funny for this type of film. Having comedic moments are great but did the studio need to go that route. Look at films like Aliens (1986) shot back in the 80's the comedy was with in the story, it was sharp, it was unprompted. As the audience you really did not know Hudson played by the late Bill Paxton was going to be the comedy, until his character called for it. Reilly being a comedic genius you kinda knew he was the comedy part of the film.
The military was the craziness of the film. Why? Does Hollywood always have the military act like brutal beasts. They should've been different, i guess i have seen and read to much, and when you see these guys on film, you either want to vomit or turn away. The military had a mission which was very simple. In the film they simply could've just been the support for the geologist, and that should've been the military presence. Granted they're all in uncharted territory, but with that being said, it could've been more. Everyone has a personality, and when things get hot i could understand the circumstances, but as a film maker those things should've been in check, period. The political stance isn't needed, it simply could've been both military and Monarch struggle. Jackson's character could've been something more than his usual character he plays, like maybe a true leader instead of the insane nut he played in the film.
Ugly:
I'm not a helicopter pilot, but if i were i would've deducted that the creature in front of me is very large, with a more than average reach. So seeing that i'm an ace pilot, why? Did i not use common sense and back away from the very large 100 ft Ape that can reach my fellow pilots, and me as well as my chopper. The fact that these guys just got their butts kicked in, and wow! I saw it coming from before it even started. The responsibility of a film maker is to make sure the film doesn't go off the BS! meter, and in the case for Kong: Skull island it did in a huge way.
What about the 100 ft Ape called King Kong sneaking up on every character in the film. He is very large, in fact the film managed to convey that in the first Act. So i guess up until he smashes things, the very large Ape is also a ninja, the art of sneaking around was taught by master Shredder. Going back to Jurassic Park (1993) the big bad of all Dinosaurs walked heavily. You knew that big guy was coming, so why? Did Kong just happens to sneak up on everyone. Experienced military soldiers that stood still when they needed to be, after all it was the end of the Vietnam war. You'd think these guys in uniform understood the jungle a bit more.
So the challenge of the film was King Kong against Samuel L. Jackson was a bit much, you know that after everything is set and done, the 100 ft Ape will win. The job of the military here wasn't done correctly, they were all kinda stupid if you ask me. So having Jackson being Kong's opposition is like having a guy going into a MMA ring without any experience at all. The outcome here is devastating right? So why even have it in the film. What about having these guys struggle to get the hell off the island instead of fighting it. Understanding the Ape would've been better than a fist the cuffs.
The film was like a wave of beautiful images without any words. At least in the old black and white films you knew what to expect from it. The story was there, it had it's ups and downs. But King Kong: Skull Island i did expect more, especially from the cast. Some were good, others were bad, and the rest. Well what can i say. It's a monster film, and if you go in with that expectation, then you'll have no problems with this film. I just pointed out the weakness of the film. With that being said, i would check it out, and is it worth the money, well it all depends on you. As a monster nut, i would say it's all Kong and if you went to see it for that reason then you'll be alright, but if you came to see an engaging film with high expectations, then you'll be sorely disappointed.
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