- Joined
- Jun 16, 2007
- Messages
- 57,844
- Reaction score
- 66,978
- Points
- 218
Yeah I thought Kong was supposed to be young by his standards, but old by ours.
My big complaints about Godzilla were that it had too much teasing of Godzilla (which I loved in the 1st act, but when you're still doing it going into late Act 2/Act 3, it starts to grate), and too much focus on the (incredibly dull) humans. Skull Island remedied both of those. It just got straight to the point, and that point was Kong, lol.

You know what's fun? Not caring about Max Landis or any goddamn thing he has to say.
t
, that opening scene with the 2 pilots was a surprise to me and a really cool way to kick off the movie.They are more so very lizard like, I watched some behind the scenes today. They said they looked at like Komodo dragons as one source when trying to figure out how they'd make them walk.
Saw it tonight and loved it!![]()
The structure is not conventional for this kind of movie and I dug that, it was very action packed with some of the best action sequences of the year and some of the best CGI I've seen, but I still found myself invested in the 4 main characters as the film found pockets of character moments between the action and adventure. I particularly liked Sam Jackson's Captain Ahab type Colonel and John C. Reilly's long lost WWII pilot with his Ploat (Great idea!t
, that opening scene with the 2 pilots was a surprise to me and a really cool way to kick off the movie.
The film riffs off a number of classic movies and utilizes it's stunning setting perfectly, blending in some stunning CGI with the majestic island location, and the fact the vast amount of the action takes place in the daylight was refreshing, the CGI was so good they stayed on shots a lot longer than is often the case with this type of movie, and that really added to the scale and spectacle of the action. The director was also incredibly creative in the way he shot the action, so many great and inventive shots, he's one to keep a eye on.
I thought Kong's design was great, he moved perfectly and I thought he was always shot in a way that made him look somewhat kingly, the scene where he kills the Giant squid was unexpected and dynamic. The scene where he comes through the fog to see Mason and Conrad, and she touches his face was one of the best in the film. The other creatures were also great, the big wilderbeast type thing was neat, the giant spider was horrific and the Skull Crawlers were fearsome, the larger one that Kong defeated in the awesome final battle was particularly monstrous.
I'm not sure what my standout set piece was, Kong vs The Choppers, Conrad, Mason and Soldiers vs The Skullcrawlers and Kong vs "The Big One" were all awesome, the film was just a rollicking good adventure flick, visually striking and engaging all the way through!
8/10
Yeah I can definitely see that now, especially with the smaller ones, I thought how they moved and how their jaws expanded made them really fearsome and devasting when they attacked, and I liked the way the big one had the white markings on it's head that made it look more skullish than the smaller ones.
I just wish a bit more would have been done in the final battle.


Just watched it again myself, it has grown on me upon re-watch even though I liked it anyway.
![]()
![]()
I absolutely loved the third act. It was easily one of my favorite 3rd acts in any action movie.![]()
Glad that it's getting better for you. I have watched it twice. First time it was f**king amazing. It did lose the initial lustre in the 2nd watch but it's still very good. I love this movie.
I thought the final battle was a little underwhelming overall. Too much human involvement. And the bigger Skull Crawler didn't seem different enough than the smaller ones. Overall though, really like the movie.

Why the hell do I care about Max Landis again?
I can understand your problem. Human involvement didn't bring it down for me but I can see where you are coming from. Godzilla felt more mythic and more of an all powerful Godlike being while Kong was like a gigantic brute who still needed support from humans to beat the Alpha Skull Crawler.
I hafta disagree with the bigger Skull Crawler tho. He did look similar to the smaller ones but much more threatening and dangerous. I think he looked menacing as hell.
The final fight was so 'effin intense and visceral. It was a fist pumping battle for me. I was so happy when Kong defeated Ramarak. I felt like a kid.![]()
![]()
I just checked his IMDB page....and the answer is - No reason what so ever .
Glad you liked it Hunter
Just watched it again myself, it has grown on me upon re-watch even though I liked it anyway. I just wish a bit more would have been done in the final battle.
Would love a direct sequel to this though. We need to see Kong fighting one of those giant spiders!
Glad you finally got around to watching it and loved it Hunter! It's a fun one.
t:I thought the final battle was great but I get your point on the big Skullwalker not being massively different visually.
I'd love a direct sequel as well and definitely Kong vs the giant spider, fingers crossed we get it after Kong vs Zilla.
I'm ready for the JW Fallen Kingdom trailer now!t:
I thought the final battle was great but I get your point on the big Skullwalker not being massively different visually.
I'd love a direct sequel as well and definitely Kong vs the giant spider, fingers crossed we get it after Kong vs Zilla.