There are a lot of things that concerned me about this latest monster mash blockbuster, whether it's the silly title, the fact this is yet another reboot, or the way it fits in the so called MonsterVerse series. It's an all round recipe for cringe. I'm not a fan of all these grand schemes for expanded universes, and I didn't really like the sound of a story which connected with the 2014 Godzilla film by Gareth Edwards. The previous instalment was drab, grey and lifeless without a hint of popcorn fun or any satisfying spectacle beyond a handful of interesting moments. However thankfully this new incarnation of King Kong is the polar opposite of that previous Kaiju effort in more ways than one.
One thing that is immediately clear is the choice by the film makers to show something visually arresting, beyond more giant creatures duking it out. There's a certain stylistic stamp on everything. It's colourful and interesting to look at in many of the slower moments, with lots of lush vistas and fantasy landscapes. A lot of it is filmed in real life locations to add to the scale and wonder, but it's also been given a lot added style in post production, with some sequences that are wet and swampy looking, and others that are dry and arid. One particular set piece involves a monster grave yard littered with bones that is flooded with searing yellow smog to suggest the stench of decay. Natives are painted with vibrant gold and blue paint, and giant spiders hide among bamboo trunks. It's hardly realistic, but this isn't a film about the mundane.
Early on this sense of "real life" was my main worry, as a team of scientists headed by Bill Randa (John Goodman) and a crew of soldiers led by Colonel Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) enter a ridiculous storm that perpetually surrounds the eponymous isle. It's an odd image to question considering the nature of this story, but the tone does take some time to feel appropriate here. Their mission is to find out what new discoveries lie in wait here after satellite imaging becomes a reality in the 1970s and Randa's organisation Monarch is finally given funding to explore ahead of a potential Soviet Union expedition. On the way they recruit tracker and mercenary Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) to assist them, and they agree to bring along war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson).
The cast is the main strength here beyond the fantasy elements, although not everyone is used to the film's advantage. Jackson's surly warmongering is probably the best part of the ensemble, as he resents the end of the Vietnam war and slowly turns into an Ahab figure who puts his men at risk. But while it's always nice to see John Goodman, they don't really give him a lot to do here beyond giving speeches about unknown worlds and looking mildly impressed by the local fauna. Everyone else is fine, but nothing more. Some of the others playing soldier or scientist roles feel particularly one dimensional, but the pacing speeds over things just enough. However they eventually meet stranded pilot Lt. Marlow (John C. Reilly) who injects some humour and even some pathos as things go on. He also gets to do a Ben Gunn bit after being stranded in a Hell in the Pacific style prologue in the 1940s.
There are a lot of strange movie references like this for one reason or another, whether it's because of the period setting or just the kind of character tropes being used. It's never that distracting thankfully, and it allows for a different kind of atmosphere and some nice aesthetic choices. Monsters shown against sunrises (regardless of day time continuity), humid tropical forests, and sequences lit by napalm are all used well to create variety, despite some nonsensical choices such as the Northern Lights in one instance. But this is a land filled with animals that are part snake, part lizard and part crow skull... it's not exactly grounded in any way.
The behemoth action itself delivers in spades, where it's Kong battling gunships or the reptilian adversaries that are part of Skull Island's ridiculous ecosystem. The giant ape himself isn't so much of a character this time around, but that isn't to say they don't slow things down to give him a little quiet time here and there. Some of the best moments are just Kong eating and tending to his wounds, and I appreciate the use of visual effects wizardry to depict this kind of thing. It's still a world filled with outrageous creatures though, and those wondering if dinosaurs and giant insects will make another appearance will be please with the ideas included here. This is sillier and louder than previous incarnations, but it doesn't need to replicate everything all the many past versions of this story. It delivers on it's own terms, which I appreciate. Despite a few minor faults this does exactly what it needs to, and might even make the upcoming "versus..." sequel seem like an entertaining prospect.
4/5
BONUS REVIEW
MOANA (2016)
Disney's latest animated adventure is always likeable, but never feels exceptional. Of course the craft and the design work that brings it all to life is amazing to behold, however at the same time this feels like yet another standard story about fate, reluctant heroes and animal side-kicks. They even reference this as a joke about princesses in the script itself, but it doesn't excuse the same old stuff being played out one more time. Chieftain's daughter Moana (Auli'hi Cravolho) defies her island tradition and longs to sail on the ocean, and as chance would have it her chance to do so soon arrives.
Along with a chicken of questionable intelligence, and an untested sail boat she sets out to prevent a curse on her land, and to restore the mystical 'heart of the sea' with the assistance of selfish demi-god Maui (Dwayne Johnson). It has all the usual charm and flair, and some catchy tunes along the way as they face monstrous sea creatures, volcanic demons and diminutive pirates. The character humour, the performances, and the style are consistently entertaining, and things like the realm of monsters and even the sea itself are rendered in ways that are often pretty magical. But it's all been done before, and it could do with being more outrageous and otherworldly for a tale about the trials of humans and gods.
3/5
