It's been quite a journey since the release of Gareth Edwards' Godzilla reboot in 2014. In addition to making a sequel, Legendary Pictures had another brilliant idea: have Godzilla fight King Kong again. But first, give Kong his own movie in a series of films that has now been dubbed the "MonsterVerse".
Unlike other films series trying to be like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I am all for the MonsterVerse being a thing since giant monsters crossing over after being established in their own films worked back in the 60's. And if anyone can pull it off just as well, I believe Legendary Pictures is capable of it.
I went into Kong: Skull Island expecting a fun adventure movie and an awesome reinvention of Kong. And I got that and more in spades!
I think the human characters are great. To me, the big stand-out actors are Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson and John C. Reilly (who completely steals the show). I also really like Brie Larson and John Goodman in this movie, although Goodman may not be in the movie as much as others would like.
And thanks to a certian line by Samuel L. Jackson, I'm convinced every movie in the MonsterVerse is going to have a reference/homage to Jurassic Park.
The CGI for Kong and the other inhabitants of Skull Island is once again, top notch. And while this Skull Island may not have Dinosaurs (or rather, used to), it does have it's own unique set of creatures. The Skull Crawlers are wickedly cool and seeing Kong fight these things are the highlights of the film. There's no jaw breaking here or kisses of death like in Godzilla 2014, but there is a finishing move that is just as awesome.
Speaking of which, I know it's inevitable that people are going to compare this movie to Godzilla 2014, and I will admit this movie is a bit more exciting and Kong has more screen time than Godzilla did in his movie. But if you were to compare the past Kong movies to the past Godzilla films, that's kinda been the norm since day one. Most Kong films have always been exciting, adventure films, while Godzilla's (The original and everything pre-1960's and past 1975 at least) are more serious, disaster-drama films with cool monster fights in them.
I'm not gonna sit here and compare the two films anymore than that.
Unlike other films series trying to be like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I am all for the MonsterVerse being a thing since giant monsters crossing over after being established in their own films worked back in the 60's. And if anyone can pull it off just as well, I believe Legendary Pictures is capable of it.
I went into Kong: Skull Island expecting a fun adventure movie and an awesome reinvention of Kong. And I got that and more in spades!
I think the human characters are great. To me, the big stand-out actors are Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson and John C. Reilly (who completely steals the show). I also really like Brie Larson and John Goodman in this movie, although Goodman may not be in the movie as much as others would like.And thanks to a certian line by Samuel L. Jackson, I'm convinced every movie in the MonsterVerse is going to have a reference/homage to Jurassic Park.
I even loved the minor soldier characters. Usually soldier characters in movies like this are just there to be generic army guys, but some of these guys have great personalities and entertaining moments that you'll probably want to see them live through this.
The only characters I had a problem with were the 2 Monarch scientists played by Corey Hawkins and Jing Tian. I'm not saying I hated them, but aside from one moment towards the end, I just really wanted more from them and more about Monarch in general.
The only characters I had a problem with were the 2 Monarch scientists played by Corey Hawkins and Jing Tian. I'm not saying I hated them, but aside from one moment towards the end, I just really wanted more from them and more about Monarch in general.
Kong: Skull Island is the second film in which Kong is brought to life through Motion Capture CGI. But instead of Andy Serkis, we get Terry Notary. Notary has had plenty of experience as a stunt performer and animal movement coach on several films, including the Planet of the Apes reboot series (alongside Serkis) in which he plays the Chimpanzee named 'Rocket'.
Notary gives Kong an incredibly demanding presence. The moment you first see him, you know he is a GOD. But Kong also has his fair share of character moments so he's not just a mindless monster.
You want another connection to Planet of the Apes? Toby Kebbell, who plays a soldier in the movie also shares the Motion Capture duties with Notary. AND, he played 'Koba' in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Notary gives Kong an incredibly demanding presence. The moment you first see him, you know he is a GOD. But Kong also has his fair share of character moments so he's not just a mindless monster.
You want another connection to Planet of the Apes? Toby Kebbell, who plays a soldier in the movie also shares the Motion Capture duties with Notary. AND, he played 'Koba' in Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
The CGI for Kong and the other inhabitants of Skull Island is once again, top notch. And while this Skull Island may not have Dinosaurs (or rather, used to), it does have it's own unique set of creatures. The Skull Crawlers are wickedly cool and seeing Kong fight these things are the highlights of the film. There's no jaw breaking here or kisses of death like in Godzilla 2014, but there is a finishing move that is just as awesome.
Speaking of which, I know it's inevitable that people are going to compare this movie to Godzilla 2014, and I will admit this movie is a bit more exciting and Kong has more screen time than Godzilla did in his movie. But if you were to compare the past Kong movies to the past Godzilla films, that's kinda been the norm since day one. Most Kong films have always been exciting, adventure films, while Godzilla's (The original and everything pre-1960's and past 1975 at least) are more serious, disaster-drama films with cool monster fights in them.
I'm not gonna sit here and compare the two films anymore than that.
And with that, I really don't have a lot of complaints about 'Kong: Skull Island'. It is a fantastic Kong movie, a great monster movie and a fun time at the movies overall.
It is definitely an amazing inclusion to Legendary Picture's MonsterVerse. And be sure to stay after the credits for a very special surprise!
And with that, our Journey to Skull Island has come to an end. Thank you for joining me on it and I hope you found it informative and entertaining. Special thanks goes to my friend Rhiannon for once again helping me edit another retrospective.
It is definitely an amazing inclusion to Legendary Picture's MonsterVerse. And be sure to stay after the credits for a very special surprise!
Till next time, I've been your host Gryphon
and I hope you've enjoyed your time here in my Lair
So Long...
and I hope you've enjoyed your time here in my Lair
So Long...
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