Kong: Skull Island (2017) Movie Review

Synopsis:

Captain James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), a team of scientists and military personnel travels to Skull Island. There, they discover the island’s ruler, Kong, and many other inhabitants.

Review:

Kong has had a range of appearances throughout his tenured cinematic history.

These include his first appearance in 1933, 1976, and then Peter Jackson’s King Kong in 2005.

After Peter Jackson, Jordan Vogt-Roberts attempted his version of Kong in 2017.

Also, for context, Kong: Skull Island is the second entry in the MonsterVerse franchise. It also acts as a follow-up film to Godzilla (2014).

With Kong: Skull Island, Vogt-Roberts brings entertaining action sequences and captivating visuals.

These visuals help display the treacherous nature of Skull Island and its inhabitants. One of those is Skull Island’s ruler, Kong.

From his first appearance, Jordan Vogt-Roberts captures Kong's gigantic size using wide shots.

This soon leads to an action scene where the military opens fire on Kong. Kong’s power is on full display as he tears apart helicopters as if they were toys.

Each action scene in this film involving Kong is well-shot and filmed. Also, each of Kong’s haymakers and wild swings is impactful throughout.

Other action sequences involving the humans also have some unique moments. These are also accompanied by striking visuals.

Despite this, the film’s over-reliance on slow motion and excessive gunfire is tiresome.

As a whole, Kong: Skull Island impresses from a visual standpoint. Its action sequences are also entertaining for the most part.

Kong: Skull Island, though, has problems. These are its hollow story, characters, and jarring tonal shifts.

For one, this film has far too many characters. Due to the film’s short runtime, it has no time to give any of them development.

This is other than their designated roles as scientists or military personnel.

Even this film’s main character, Captain James Conrad, lacks much development. Upon his rushed introduction, a source says that he is a tracker.

Aside from establishing this skill, the film does nothing with it. This is a shame, as it could have led to some interesting moments.

Instead, the film turns Tom Hiddleston into another generic action star.

Joining Hiddleston’s character is Brie Larson’s Mason Weaver. For context, her character is a photojournalist.

Aside from looking attractive, Brie Larson’s character is not given much to do in the film.

Also joining the cast is veteran actor Samuel L. Jackson. He portrays Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard.

Although Jackson’s performance is competent, his characters’ motives are weak.

While his vendetta against Kong could have had weight, it is all caused by his actions. Take, for example, the action scene where Kong destroys the military helicopters.

If Packard hadn’t ordered his men to open fire on Kong, they would all still be alive.

As a result, it makes his vendetta against Kong somewhat pointless. This is because it is an outcome he could have avoided.

Other characters include John Goodman’s Bill Randa and John C. Reilly’s Hank Marlow.

Beyond his role as an operative under Monarch, John Goodman’s character has little else.

Contributing to the film’s tonal shift is Hank Marlow, portrayed by John C. Reilly.

While John does get to show genuine emotion at the end of the film, his character’s existence is to tell jokes.

Take the scene where he’s describing Kong’s enemies in the film, the Skullcrawlers. There is some tension when Hank details how much of a threat they are to Kong.

This tension goes away once Hank says he made up the name, “because it sounds neat.” Aside from the jarring tonal shift, this also affects the story as a result.

As a whole, the film’s story is hollow. This is a result of underdeveloped characters and some jarring tonal shifts.

Complementing the proceedings is Henry Jackman, who adds some excitement to the action. This film also uses several licensed tracks throughout.

Instead of Jackman’s score being the focus, the film uses several licensed tracks instead.

Though these are well-used, a greater emphasis on Henry Jackman’s score would have been welcome.

Conclusion:

As a whole, Kong: Skull Island can be entertaining. This is when it focuses on its entertaining action sequences involving Kong.

Also, each one is impactful, containing many memorable visual shots.

This film’s story, though, has difficulty giving meaningful development to its characters.

Aside from a select few, most others are there to fill in the background.

It also contains some jarring tonal shifts involving Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly).

While there are some good licensed tracks in the film, Henry Jackman’s score is an afterthought. Though Jackman’s score complements the action well enough, it is generic as a whole.

Jordan Vogt-Roberts gives audiences a film with striking visuals and good action sequences.

This film's weak story, characters, and tonal shifts, though, hold it back.

Despite these flaws, Kong enthusiasts should get entertainment from seeing him in action.

Sam’s Action Reaction score:

Characters - 5.5/10

Story - 5/10

Action - 7.5/10

CGI and visuals- 8.5/10

Soundtrack - 6/10

Overall score: 6.5 out of 10