Kong: Skull Island (2017)

[Hybrid Gojira]

[lhb412]

[Jorzilla]

I enjoyed the film. I agree with people who said the action wasn't epic enough. When you are on a stone age island there isn't enough reference points to make the monsters look HUGE. My other criticism of the film is not the characters, I think they were fine actually. It's that the plot just advances scene to scene. It feels like a treadmill of set pieces and the cast takes us on a tour of Skull Island. Featuring Kong showing up at relevant parts to advance the plot or to intercede on the behalf of our heroes.

At the end of the day, the movie revolves taking a boat from the South Side to the North Side of the Island and hiking through the woods. Following two different groups of people (the civilians and the army) spread the film a little too thin.

It's nice to see more world building in the MonsterVerse. I just wish the series had more to say than "Ancient creatures used to rule the world!" Not all Kaiju films have substance, but the series, overall, is taking a safe route from the start as to not alienate potential box office receipts. Kong was never a deep movie, but removing his death and puling the beast out of nature, in conflict with man, does reduce his character. I didn't feel that connected to Kong the same way I did with the 2005 film, even though that movie had it's issues.

3.5/5 for now. Will probably buy it on Blu Ray and rewatch it before Godzilla 2, but no desire to run out and watch it again any time soon. Pacific Rim is better than this film, and Godzilla 2014 is worse.

[jellydonut25]

I think they found a good way around the problem of not removing him from the island with the notion of the human characters invading and hurting him and everything. I feel like it managed to get that "Kong is the victim of humanity" thing across while not killing him, removing him from the island or making it too hard to do sequels.

[Jorzilla]

You are welcome to think that. There is a distinct difference between singing his hair and cutting up his hand vs. killing him outright.

[lhb412]

Have we touched on the fact that the movie seems to infer that Goodman's character survived his ship being attacked by Godzilla, setting him on his monster hunting ways?

[Baltan II]

That was one of my lingering thoughts when I left the theater yesterday. I'm having some trouble believing Godzilla is the actual culprit. Mostly baseless assumption on my part, but I feel like if the fate of Randa's old ship is ever referenced again, it will either be attributed to another new monster or... I dunno, Rodan or Ghidorah don't seem like the right fit. Godzilla doesn't seem to be antagonized by ships enough to attack any even though he gets flanked by several in 2014.

[Hybrid Gojira]

[jellydonut25]

[Jorzilla]

It has nothing to do with being negative. Kong is not a tragic creature in the film. The debate is whether or not that affects how you feel about the character.

[Jinzo Ningen]

I felt that, at the point in Kong's history where this film takes off, as depicted, Kong is more of a Prince than a King.

There've been a lot of digs about Kong 'reduced' to being everybody else's "b!tch" (one KongisKing website whiner's description, not mine), because he caters to the other island critters. I disagree. I saw his role as more of the means of balance - not unlike the forest guardian in Princess Mononoke. I loved that he was the equalizer. The film didn't disrespect him or undermine his importance or role, at least I didn't see it that way. It also thought his interactions humanized him, in a way, because it showed that he cared about everything on that island. Some things needed no intervention, some did, and occasionally he had to open up a can to maintain the checks & balances. Isn't that the very nature of being a ruler/King??? Besides, as John Reilly's character said, "he's still growing" - and I think that means in his 'role' as well as his physical size.

I certainly liked this movie a heckuva lot more than I didn't. I didn't have very high expectations since first hearing about this, if I may be honest. I was also so very happy that I did NOT give in to the too-easy temptation of pouring thru all the spoilers stuff on various sites, and I stayed away from all the teasers & trailers (except one very early on). Also not being a remake or based off of an existing book, comic or graphic novel, I had no idea what to expect. This Kong was very much his own person, and thus this adventure was extremely satisfying. Looking forward to more from this series, this Kong and this film's director. And I'm definitely adding this to my Blu-ray collection on day one!

[Henry88]

‘Kong: Skull Island’ Concept Art Features an Ape Who Was Almost More of a Literal King
http://www.slashfilm.com/kong-skull-isl ... ept-art-2/



Kong: Skull Island is king of the UK box office
https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmbl ... tman-movie

[daikaijusaurus]

My wife and I finally saw this the other day. Overall, we both loved it. It was just pure fun and joy to watch from beginning to end. Rather than write a lengthy review, here is one review that pretty much is exactly how I feel about this movie:

https://skreeonk.com/2017/03/10/full-re ... ll-island/

Regarding the monsters, they were awesome and creative! I actually liked the creatures in this movie more than the MUTOS from Godzilla 2014. I really really loved Kong's design, very reminiscent of the Toho Kongs and the Kong of '33. Simply beautiful!

Regarding the characters, I don't agree with many of the critics, I actually thought most were just fine with the exception of John Goodman. I really thought his character was a missed opportunity similar to Brian Cranston's character from Godzilla 2014. I don't know why Legendary keeps killing off their most important characters...twice!! LOL!! I really wished he would've stuck around and shed some more light on the Monarch organization. And John C Reilly was awesome, he was my favorite character. At the end where he shows up and meets his wife and son brought tears to my eye. Beautiful scene!

The end credit sequence was great, my wife and I were cheering when the cave paintings of Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan and King Ghidorah appeared. And when Godzilla's roar blasted out from the screen...it was pure heaven!!! Again, I think it would've made a lot more sense if John Goodman was there as one of the Monarch's agents. But oh well.

Can't wait for Godzilla King of the Monsters!!!

[Benjamin Haines]

[daikaijusaurus]

‘Kong: Skull Island’ Rises To $72.8M In Five Days



I think we can now consider Kong Skull Island a success. Sure, not the numbers that Marvel or DC produces, but a success nonetheless that safely assures future MonsterVerse movies.

[lhb412]

I forgot that Spring Break makes for more people seeing movies on weekdays.

[tbeasley]

[DannyBeane]

I'm watching Kong a 3rd time... AND THIS TIME IN 70MM!!!! http://gatewayfilmcenter.org/kong-skull-island-in-70mm/

[lhb412]

[Henry88]

[canofhumdingers]

[Dr Kain]

Kong Skull Island Round 2 - Man, I felt like I was watching an entirely different movie compared to what I saw last week. Yeah, the characters are still lackluster outside of Packard and Marlow, and most are there to die, but this was a damn good monster flick. It's on par with Godzilla 2014 and the post-credit scene was awesome! Just like before, the camera work and cinematography are top notch. That scene with Kong fighting off the helicopters with the sunrise behind him is badass. I can now say that I give it a slid 8/10 stars. Looking forward to owning this one on BD.

[RapZiLLa54]

Saw it the other day and absolutely loved it!

I do have one question though, since Godzilla was portrayed as a guardian type who restores balance in 2014 and you also have Kong who fits that description as well why on earth would they fight?

[O.Supreme]

^Probably something similar to Mothra & Battra, both "guardians" in there own right, but they do battle for a while, only to end up joining forces against a greater threat. In the 1962 film a Japanese company took Kong off his Island. I suspect a not too dissimilar plot device will be used to bring Kong and Godzilla together somehow, but hopefully in the end they'll join forces against a greater threat.

[daikaijusaurus]