Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
Kong Skull: Island, is a period action thriller directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and stars Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, and Brie Larson. The plot takes place after the Vietnam war, when a team of scientists explores an uncharted island in the Pacific, venturing into the domain of the mighty Kong, and must fight to escape a primal Eden.
Under The Lens: Apocalypse Now and Human Story
Apocalypse Now: When one thinks of Kong, the picture Apocalypse Now is likely not going to be said in the same breath. However, Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, used the iconic motion picture about the madness of war and the darkness of the human heart as inspiration for his adaptation of King Kong. Kong: Skull Island is set in the 1970s and the Vietnam war, the picture is drenched in period easter eggs and as the plot unfolds we see how much inspiration Apocalypse Now really did have on its production. It was a risky choice, but it ended up working out very well for the story, we see the madness of our human villain and some truly breathtaking cinematography. In the end, Kong’s homage was well done and made the picture stand out in a way it may not have otherwise.
Human Story: Most monster pictures like King Kong, are not concerned with its human characters, as they are simply plot devices for the audiences to see the action, and move the story along. However in Kong: Skull Island, the story is actually about humans, they have arcs and motivations, Kong himself may be the main character but without the humans, Kong’s story would have been very weak. Samuel L. Jacksons, Preston Packard is given a great mini-arc as he seeks revenge on Kong for the death of his men, its menacing, and a great callback to the madness of Colonel Kurtz.
Highlights
The inclusion of John C. Reilly’s WWII veteran, who has no idea the war is over, was funny, but turned tender as we see him return home.
The cinematography was very well done, it elevated this from a typical monster picture to a serious drama.
Something to think about
Did you like that the human characters are given a front-row seat in the story? Or do you prefer your monster pictures to just be about the monsters?
Conclusion
Overall Kong: Skull Island is designed to be an installment, in the “Monsterverse” of Godzilla and includes a tantalizing tease to future films, however first and foremost the picture is its own animal. It does not just exist to set up other stories but has its own story to tell, one it tells rather well. Its heroes and villains are decently fleshed out and we get to see motivations for why these characters act the way they do, it builds its world without that worldbuilding intruding into the core story. Kong: Skull Island is rollicking fun and an ode to the adventure pictures of yesterday, its best experienced in a crowded theater with lots of popcorn and friends.
