Kong Skull Island is one of many movies capitalizing on cult favorites from the 1970s. I found Planet of the Apes to be a successful reboot of a cult classic. I wasn't sure what to expect from Skull Island, but luckily, my expectations were not high.
This iteration of the ape king takes place in a mystic "Bermuda triangle" region where monolithic creatures dwarf their human prey. A team of scientists are led into the abyss by a crew of military veterans as the Vietnam war is coming to a close. The situation quickly deteriorates as the team is decimated by an angry oversized primate bent on destruction. Or, maybe he is just misunderstood.
The storyline is laughable. Okay, I get that the idea of a King Kong already stretches the imagination. But this was ridiculous. The story was poorly developed and the characters one dimensional. Charicatures more than characters. Samuel L Jackson plays every other role he has ever played as the pissed off guy that could just as easily been talking about these "damn snakes on a plane" or claiming "vengeance is mine." None of the acting really impressed me.
The special effects were good, the pacing was solid and there were some intense action sequences. So if you like mindless entertainment, there is plenty of value here for you. Having just visited Halong Bay in March, it was nice to see the beautiful Vietnam scenery providing the mysterious backdrop for the story.
There wasn't a lot to like about this film. It was typical Hollywood. Cash in on nostalgia with a CGI laden action film. It pays homage to the original but lacks the depth. Which is saying a lot. If it's raining and you want some mindless fun...and the rental is free...go for it. 6/10.