Review of Kong: Skull Island (2017) by Kevin A — 14 Apr 2017

Alert the media-this is the first film I recall where Sam Jackson does not say Mo-Fo! This is a new take on a tale from 1939 with Faye Ray and Kong on the Empire State building-but wait there's more! This is a truly superb reconfiguration of the Kong myth.

The big fella now is the King of Skull Island which was unknown to the rest of us until John Goodman hoodwinks a US Senator into getting Goodman and his crew with a military escort to Kong's home.

Along for the ride is Brie Larson as an aspiring photographer (actually an anti-war photographer as she makes very clear to Col. Packard [Jackson] asking so why did the guys with the bullets lose the war(?) The premise is clever suggesting mutation due to atomic tests in the South Pacific.

The crew is taught, robust and all in for the retribution that Col. Packard has planned for the loss of his men-no man left behind even if his skull is spit out of the mouth of a gigantic lizard-yep, it's that kind of a film.

But it is so well executed, special effects superb and scientific suggestions for contemplation makes the film a great watch. There is a palpable sympathy for Kong and his dominance of the ecosystem of Skull Island is finally exposed leading the intrepid survivors to connect for survival.

Underneath the story is the well known admonition-you don't mess with mother nature. Do see this film, the visuals, composition, production design and CGI effects are superb. Beat your chest and go see this.