Kong Skull Island is a fun, action-packed movie that draws from a set of ideas that make it appear original and brings clarity to a greater story line that is being woven.
One of my favorite themes throughout the movie was that there are forces at work that nobody is aware of (that are invisible, if you will) that will determine the fate of the planet. Kong is the benevolent protector of the people and creatures of Skull Island while the Skull Crawlers are the "demons" that don't only threaten the population of the island, but of the entire planet.
A refreshing point of both Skull Island and Godzilla 2014 was that their plots do not just rehash the same elements that most other scifi movies are guilty of. The cliched themes being solely rooted in evolution, climate change, and other progressive/environmental alarmist messages. Skull Island does use the evolutionary reality of the survival of the fittest, but also makes it appear as though there is some permanence to the world of gods and men.
One of the new, unique, and interesting realities now established in the Monster-verse, is the inclusion of the Hollow Earth Theory. I am only vaguely familiar with Hollow Earth Theory, but I loved how they deviated from conventional wisdom and status quo thinking to create a world full of monsters that could very well exist in the real world.
As far as the quality of the movie (was it good, was it bad?) it was excellent. Kong looked amazing and was as brutal as ever; displaying his primal rage as he battled off both human and monster adversaries. It incorporated elements from ALL of the Kong movies, including the little known King Kong Escapes (in which I would contest the level of his intellect and sympathy toward humans could be attributed). The movie is non-stop action from the opening scene up to the closing credits. The acting is excellent, the script is well written and lays a wonderful groundwork for the Monsterverse, and the ending is satisfying...including the after the credits scene.
In closing, just some warnings. This movie has a fair amount of swearing. Of course, what would a movie be without your trade-mark Sam Jackson lines (one of which is cut off mid-sentence). It is pretty darn violent as well. Some of the gorier scenes are left for the viewers imagination, but there is plenty of trampling and eating of people to warrant an upper PG13 rating. Yes, upper PG13. What you don't have to worry about is anything of sexual nature, which typically does find its way into most Kong films. Fortunately, this one kept the female character very modest and all relationships were 100% platonic and disinterested in romance (who has time for love when everything is trying to kill you?). My assessment, kids can handle this movie if they like things a little more on the intense side, but if they don't, wait to see this one with them.
All in all, great movie. It gets me excited to see what the rest of the Monsterverse will bring; of which we already know of the next two installments: Godzilla King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs Kong. Can't wait!
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