Kong: Skull Island - Part 3

[jmc]

$52 is better than mid-40's but it's still going to need good WOM with BATB coming next week.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

It really should have opened with 70+mil with that huge budget. 52+mil is only okay, it's going to need to leg it out to 150mil in order to have a decent North American total and that's an iffy proposition to say the least.

 

[JtheDreamer]

The first fight with Kong they are straight up ambushed and knocked out of the air. Not sure what you're describing as "mindless."

The first helicopter was ambushed by the palm Kong threw at it. He punches another one out of the sky. Yet they decide to stick to flying close to the big beast and continue opening fire. Literally makes no sense. After a couple of rounds of gunfire it should have been clear that they need to desert that area and go regroup.

 

[Broseph44]

Why do I put myself thru these movies.

When someone the other day mentioned that Max Borenstein wrote the screenplay for Godzilla and Kong as well - immediately my hopes for it sank. This film has all the same problems 'Zilla did - except there's no Bryan Cranston.

Ironically when the original trailer dropped I thought John C. Reilly was going to ruin the movie - but it's only his character who on occasion managed to make me forget what I was watching. Motivations are worse than paper thin (especially SLJ's and Goodman's). The roles were terribly miscast for the most part. Jason Mitchell was the WORST of it. His line delivery was downright awful and just an outright annoying character.

This film can't hold a candle to Peter Jackson's. That film had heart and wonderment. Between SLJ's warp speed descent into jungle-induced lunacy to one singular moment where Brie Larson touches Kong and suddenly they're bonded - it was just all-around awful. The creature design for the Skull Crawlers was bland and misplaced. Lots of mindless characters doing mindless thing (especially in the first fight vs. Kong). I wish they would've scrapped everything prior to when they set out for Skull Island. It was basically needless and could've been incorporated thru better dialogue as they journeyed to the northside of the island.

Clearly this movie was fast-tracked to get the wheels moving on the Kaiju-verse. I mean seriously the whole "this is their world" stuff was just cringe-worthy. Amazes me hack writers get paid to put a movie like this together. By the way, to show you how little momentum this film has going for it - this was my theater during previews at an 8:40pm MST showing in 3D at one of the finest theaters in my city on a Friday night:

You could easily stop putting yourself through "these movies" by not paying to go see them every time. Just a thought.

 

[JtheDreamer]

You could easily stop putting yourself through "these movies" by not paying to go see them every time. Just a thought.

At least I'm actually going to see them instead of writing them off from the beginning.

You really can't handle criticisms of most of the films discussed on SHH can you? Not everyone loves every movie they've ever seen.

 

[CELTICPRED]

You're not alone J, this is some of the worst dialogue I've heard in a long time aside from Packard. I liked his fire and brimstone mentality. But any time other than he or Reilly had a line it was pretty rough, and the best way I can describe the audience's reaction was pity laughter to the films attempt at "comedy", especially in scenes where they were trying to flesh out the grunts. Larson and Loki didn't even need to be in the film.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

At least I'm actually going to see them instead of writing them off from the beginning.

You really can't handle criticisms of most of the films discussed on SHH can you? Not everyone loves every movie they've ever seen.

I think Broseph's point was you were groaning about seeing a movie you presumed you wouldn't like with that first line.

 

[JtheDreamer]

I think Broseph's point was you were groaning about seeing a movie you presumed you wouldn't like with that first line.

Again - you're operating under the assumption I'm walking in to purposely not like the film and nothing could be further from the truth. My actual comment was that knowing Borenstein wrote it lowered my hopes. Sorry Darth - not in the business of spending money to waste two hours on something I've already convinced myself I wouldn't like.

 

[DACrowe]

This movie is nothing special. Well the cinematography is pretty impressive, but otherwise it is a simple-minded action movie. With that said, I think some are going in with some strange expectations. Other than the Peter Jackson version of King Kong, no giant monster movie has had a strong emphasis on the characters or plot, including Toho and, to a lesser degree, the original King Kong. That was somewhat based on the filmmakers' own romanticization of their love for going on adventures and hunting. But other than pitying Kong due to his love for Ann Darrow, and Denham's zealous ambition, you don't care about anyone else in that film who ends up as dino chow or Kong putty, including the romantic male lead.

I am not saying folks have to love this movie, but it is not a dumb film like Transformers or anything Michael Bay, Brett Ratner, McG, or any of the other usual suspects would make. It's a silly spectacle. Probably a disposable one. But it goes about what it wants in a fairly clever way visually. I feel like expecting great characterization and motivation out of a giant monster movie is really going in looking for the wrong things.

With that said, if Legendary has its way and we start getting these things once a year or more, then yes, they better start trying to elevate it or it is going to be awful.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Again - you're operating under the assumption I'm walking in to purposely not like the film and nothing could be further from the truth. My actual comment was that knowing Borenstein wrote it lowered my hopes.

Sorry Darth - not in the business of spending money to waste two hours on something I've already convinced myself I wouldn't like. That's some sick in the head type stuff.

Then why ask why you keep doing this to yourself? You said your hopes were already lowered by knowing who was involved.

You can of course do what you like, but then why write that?

 

[JtheDreamer]

You're not alone J, this is some of the worst dialogue I've heard in a long time aside from Packard. I liked his fire and brimstone mentality. But any time other than he or Reilly had a line it was pretty rough, and the best way I can describe the audience's reaction was pity laughter to the films attempt at "comedy", especially in scenes where they were trying to flesh out the grunts. Larson and Loki didn't even need to be in the film.

I felt bad for Hiddleston - this material was beneath him.

There was no chemistry amongst this cast, which can sometimes make up for poor dialogue.

 

[JtheDreamer]

Then why ask why you keep doing this to yourself? You said your hopes were already lowered by knowing who was involved.

You can of course do what you like, but then why write that?

Because I'm a fan of film and willing to sit there and be proven wrong. I'm also transparent in expressing my feelings towards subjects.

Hopes being lowered does not equal "I already hate the film and won't let it change my mind". I know what you're trying to do here, but not gonna take the bait.

 

[JtheDreamer]

This movie is nothing special. Well the cinematography is pretty impressive, but otherwise it is a simple-minded action movie. With that said, I think some are going in with some strange expectations. Other than the Peter Jackson version of King Kong, no giant monster movie has had a strong emphasis on the characters or plot, including Toho and, to a lesser degree, the original King Kong. That was somewhat based on the filmmakers' own romanticization of their love for going on adventures and hunting. But other than pitying Kong due to his love for Ann Darrow, and Denham's zealous ambition, you don't care about anyone else in that film who ends up as dino chow or Kong putty, including the romantic male lead.

I am not saying folks have to love this movie, but it is not a dumb film like Transformers or anything Michael Bay, Brett Ratner, McG, or any of the other usual suspects would make. It's a silly spectacle. Probably a disposable one. But it goes about what it wants in a fairly clever way visually. I feel like expecting great characterization and motivation out of a giant monster movie is really going in looking for the wrong things.

With that said, if Legendary has its way and we start getting these things once a year or more, then yes, they better start trying to elevate it or it is going to be awful.

Silly and disposable yes.

However, there definitely needs to be better characterization for at least one of the films main leads. Otherwise it creates a detached viewing experience - especially since this one doesn't do much to establish the empathy for Kong that Jackson's had. If it doesn't have that then it morphs into a mindless action piece trying to bank on creative cinematography and force-fed pop culture references.

I don't understand why it has to be the extreme i.e. either it's Hamlet or it's Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen. You can have a little of something like characterization and STILL be an action film. I grew up in the 80's and they had plenty of'em.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Because I'm a fan of film and willing to sit there and be proven wrong. I'm also transparent in expressing my feelings towards subjects.

Hopes being lowered does not equal "I already hate the film and won't let it change my mind". I know what you're trying to do here, but not gonna take the bait.

If you need to be proven wrong, you don't expect a good time.

 

[JtheDreamer]

If you need to be proven wrong, you don't expect a good time.

OK, this isn't gonna go anywhere. The guy telling me my mind was made up clearly has his mind made up about me. Fantastic conversation.

 

[psylockolussus]

I really liked the 2005 King Kong moviebut I also enjoyed this movie for its visuals and action. Definitely a popcorn movie.

 

[Broseph44]

At least I'm actually going to see them instead of writing them off from the beginning.

You really can't handle criticisms of most of the films discussed on SHH can you? Not everyone loves every movie they've ever seen.

I can handle it just fine, I have plenty of criticisms and dislikes of films myself. And there's plenty of films I enjoy or love that I still have some criticisms over.

But when it comes to certain films I dont waste my time so I don't have to ask myself why I put myself through them. For example I like spoof movies, it's a fun genre. But in recent years they look atrocious. So I don't bother putting myself through watching them. Wasn't attacking you or anything was being sincere in saying you wouldn't have to keep asking yourself that question if you didn't put yourself through it and just avoided it.

I think Broseph's point was you were groaning about seeing a movie you presumed you wouldn't like with that first line.

Then why ask why you keep doing this to yourself? You said your hopes were already lowered by knowing who was involved.

You can of course do what you like, but then why write that?

Pretty much Darth

 

[Broseph44]

If you need to be proven wrong, you don't expect a good time.

Yeah walking in to a film with the mentality of "ok prove my negative expectations or concerns wrong" isn't exactly looking to have a good time or any enjoyment.

 

[JtheDreamer]

I can handle it just fine, I have plenty of criticisms and dislikes of films myself. And there's plenty of films I enjoy or love that I still have some criticisms over.

But when it comes to certain films I dont waste my time so I don't have to ask myself why I put myself through them. For example I like spoof movies, it's a fun genre. But in recent years they look atrocious. So I don't bother putting myself through watching them. Wasn't attacking you or anything was being sincere in saying you wouldn't have to keep asking yourself that question if you didn't put yourself through it and just avoided it.

I like this genre of film though and I like Kong. What I don't like is fast tracking soul-less attempts like these in order to mash them up in a universe or when guys like Bay try to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

 

[JtheDreamer]

Yeah walking in to a film with the mentality of "ok prove my negative expectations or concerns wrong" isn't exactly looking to have a good time or any enjoyment.

Nonsense.

I go to movies to have a good time and take a break from reality.

 

[Broseph44]

I like this genre of film though and I like Kong. What I don't like is fast tracking soul-less attempts like these in order to mash them up in a universe or when guys like Bay try to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

But going into this film did you already have that in your head, that it was going to be a fast tracking soulless attempt? Because again if you were going in thinking that and expecting to be proven wrong that doesn't exactly scream wanting a good time. It kinda means you know the direction it's going to go in and prove your concerns true, thus no enjoyment.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I don't think J was looking for a bad time. What I got from his post though is he expected to not come out super pleased. And if he was surprised by the quality, well that is great. But that isn't what he expected.

 

[Broseph44]

Either way, the overall first statement he made of questioning why he puts himself through stuff like that is what I was on about. I guess it's easier for some like myself to not put myself through things? Haha it seems like a fairly easy solution but apparently not

 

[Broseph44]

Anyway I'm not sure when I'm gonna get around to finally seeing this in the theater. Really busy lately and I still need to see Logan first. But I did see the after credits scene and thought it was pretty cool. Saw a few other little clips here and there on instagram of Kong vs different monsters and it looked pretty badass.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Either way, the overall first statement he made of questioning why he puts himself through stuff like that is what I was on about. I guess it's easier for some like myself to not put myself through things? Haha it seems like a fairly easy solution but apparently not

I have "put myself through this" kind of thing before. If it is something I am looking forward to, hard to skip for me. And lot of the time I have enjoyed it in spite of the flaws that maybe there. But it is all about how much I am looking forward to something.