Violent, action packed, filled with explosions and filled with deadly creatures, director Jordan Vogt-Roberts’s Kong: Skull Island channels Apocalypse Now with its grit and seventies soundtrack.
The latest adaptation focuses on scientist Bill Randa (John Goodman) and Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins) who gain permission from the upper echelons of American politics to assemble a team of soldiers, fresh from fighting in the Vietnam War, to explore an uncharacterised island.
Leading the soldiers is Preston Packard (Samuel L Jackson) whose army personality clashes with tracker James Conrad (Tom Hiddeltson).
Also joining the team is award winning photographer Mason Weaver (Oscar winner Brie Larson) and scientist San (Tian Jing).
However, the main attraction of the film is the iconic Kong, a giant primitive ape who has captured the public’s imagination since he first appeared on screen in the 1930s.
In Vogt-Robert’s version he is God like and scared, the last of his kind protecting the world from the skullcrawlers, deadly beasts that eat humans whole.
However, threatening to steal the entire movie is World War II veteran Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly) who has been trapped on the island for nearly 30 years.
He brings charm, wit and heart to the story, especially when he addresses the soldiers telling them they were a good group of boys to die with.
Kong: Skull Island is fast paced, and the CGI and sound effects are terrific.
The plot, though a little slow, builds up to a predictable but satisfying ending and teases a sequel.
Rated: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Rating: PG-13
Distributor: Warner Brothers/Roadshow Entertainment
Out now on DVD and Blueray
