Film review: Kong Skull Island

Kong: Skull Island was the perfect balance of humour and action, as the director (Jordan Vogt-Roberts) blends camera shots with flawless transitions for comedic effect.

The film, starring Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, John Goodman and John C. Reilly, is a retold story of the classic giant ape King Kong, however, this time it is set in 1973, on the newly found ‘Skull Island’. Taking an army of soldiers with them, the team find out about the myths and monsters that inhabit the island, and they must survive to be able to return home.

After flying to the island, Kong is instantly spotted, as he starts to swing at the helicopters, taking them down one by one. There is mass destruction, until only few survivors remain, who must group up and make their way to the north side of the island to escape. However, the Colonel (Samuel L Jackson) feels revenge is needed, and wants to take down the giant creature for all that he has done, even if this is a great risk.

Brie Larson, who plays an anti-war photographer, brings a great character to the screen, showing independence and strength, but also bonding with her ‘teammates’ Tom Hiddleston and John C. Reilly later in the film.

Tom and Brie find out that there is a tribe that also inhabits the island, who pray to Kong as their god. Kong protects the tribe from other monsters, named ‘skull creatures’. The film raises questions: do people see the worse in others, and try to find the enemy within them? As the film is set in 1973, this could be alluding to the Vietnam war, where innocent civilians were killed, because they were seen as the enemy by the Americans.

With great special effects, solid acting and fast-paced action, this film is a great choice for a night out at the cinema.