KONG: SKULL ISLAND

If the idea of a cinematic universe where Godzilla, King Kong and Mothra all co-exist and battle it out seems ridiculous to you, you aren’t the only one - I suspect the team behind that exact cinematic universe think the same way. But if the second film in this Monsterverse, Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ ‘Kong: Skull Island’, proves anything, it’s that accepting and celebrating the ridiculous might actually make this emerging franchise something to be excited about.

‘Kong: Skull Island’ ditches the classic Kong narrative, and against a Vietnam War setting, follows a group of scientists and military support as they explore the titular mysterious island, thereby earning the wrath of its territorial leader - a much bigger, much more ferocious Kong. Crafting a new story is a wise move, allowing the film to blossom into a pure, bombastic action-adventure film. The wonderful eclectic ensemble (including Brie Larson, John Goodman, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston and John C. Reilly) stumble across Vogt-Roberts’ enormous canvas and through incredible action sequences where the "bigger is better" rule is actually employed correctly. The 70s setting offers an exciting new texture to play with, including some great music choices and references to ‘Apocalypse Now’, of all things! What is most impressive about this film though is how consistently it works to build this franchise from the groundwork laid in Garth Edwards’ ‘Godzilla’ - the visuals are rich, the narrative strokes are wonderfully broad and it embraces its function as pure escapism without complaint. It doesn’t just assume that we will accept these two films existing in the same universe, but puts the work in, building a wider sense of mythology that is clear and self-assured. While other franchises stumble to achieve the Marvel model, this one might be one of the few that appears to be getting it right.