Kong: Skull Island

Universal Pictures | Release Date: March 10, 2017

6.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 831 Ratings

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Termin8terJul 2, 2017

Kong: Skull Island is an overall decent film. The script is pretty meh, and the characters are mostly bland, but the visuals are fantastic, the directing is stylish and interesting, and the action scenes are very well done. I just hope thatKong: Skull Island is an overall decent film. The script is pretty meh, and the characters are mostly bland, but the visuals are fantastic, the directing is stylish and interesting, and the action scenes are very well done. I just hope that Jordan can do a better job with his upcoming Metal Gear Solid adaption, because I can see his potential as a great director.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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DirigiblePulpApr 22, 2017

A strange movie. It is kind of all over the place with its themes and influences but it has a distinct enough personality and some solid setpieces.

This is a straight adventure story with giant monsters, and the way it's shot and the hammyA strange movie. It is kind of all over the place with its themes and influences but it has a distinct enough personality and some solid setpieces.

This is a straight adventure story with giant monsters, and the way it's shot and the hammy dialogue are mostly B-movie and comic book derived (check out those Dutch angles and blistering colors and 10 times too big sun, moon, aurora...).

But there's also a clunky Vietnam metaphor that's a straight-up over the top "homage" to Apocalypse Now, et al. The song choices even more so. It makes sense in theory (VietKong anyone?) but I don't think it ever really works and it's just an excuse to make Sam Jackson a bad guy to counterpoint Kong's "human" side.

Characters are fine for the most part. They serve their cardboard purposes and that's what's expected. Hiddleston and Larson in particular feel vastly underdeveloped. Everything they say and do fall instantly from memory and their disappearance from the movie all together wouldn't have changed it that much.

But what we want are monsters and we get them. Most of them are wonders to behold (the water buffalo, spider legs, and octo tentacles yum) except the generic Skullcrawers (the scene where Reilly names them is embarrassing - I don't think Larson or Hiddleston had any idea what to do the dialogue is so ferociously dumb. Reilly almost saves it however).

This Kong feels like a very different movie than the new Godzilla. This is very much an entertaining B-movie with strong comic book influences worn loud and proud. It will be interesting to see how these two worlds collide. If any franchises deserve an extended universe, it's these! That's what they're all about.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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Jim222001Mar 11, 2017

Better than the 2005 film since it wasn't just a big remake. The 2005 film made us care for Kong just to kill him. With the same "beauty killed the beast line." Not like she took him off the island. So I hate that line.
Okay I am done rantingBetter than the 2005 film since it wasn't just a big remake. The 2005 film made us care for Kong just to kill him. With the same "beauty killed the beast line." Not like she took him off the island. So I hate that line.
Okay I am done ranting lol. Kong: Skull Island is Apocalypse Now if it had monsters in it. A creature feature that also feels like a war movie. You at least get plenty of Kong though. If you didn't think Godzilla didn't give you enough....Godzilla. You can't say there's not enough Kong here.
Tom Hiddleston (Thor) and Brie Larson (21 Jump Street) are fine but there's too special about their characters. He broods and she takes photos in tight clothing in....3-D lol. Brie Larson in 3-D is a distraction if you're a man lol.
Performance wise Samuel L. Jackson stands out as a villain for once. Many films with Jackson as a villain have sucked. Not the case here. John C. Reilly doesn't play a goof ball as you would expect. While being the comic relief. His character is the smart one that's full of wisdom.
I found that a nice surprise. I am also pleased that some deaths just come out of nowhere and leave you with "really I didn't expect that person to die." So there's some surprises I didn't expect. The film can just feel preachy about war "what's it good for ?"… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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EdwardGerryMar 12, 2017

This is one of the most immersive and captivating movies ever made! Its literally insane and theres something you would never expect every five minutes I was totally loving it. It's a two hour movie but I was ready for another hour of theseThis is one of the most immersive and captivating movies ever made! Its literally insane and theres something you would never expect every five minutes I was totally loving it. It's a two hour movie but I was ready for another hour of these gigantic monsters! not a fan of samuel jackson though… Expand

6 of 25 users found this helpful619

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alerikandersonMay 15, 2023

This is basically Jurassic Park and King Kong combined into an exciting adventure.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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drlowdonMay 30, 2022

When a previously unexplored island is discovered by satellites in 1973, a secretive organisation known as monarch set out with a military escort to discover it’s secrets. There is nothing subtle about Skull Island, and the characters are allWhen a previously unexplored island is discovered by satellites in 1973, a secretive organisation known as monarch set out with a military escort to discover it’s secrets. There is nothing subtle about Skull Island, and the characters are all broad stereotypes, but the sheer spectacle of it all makes for an entertaining action movie.… Expand