An Action-Packed Thrill Ride! The best Kong film since the original!

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2017)

Ever since 1933, King Kong has thrilled and terrified audiences for over 80 years. The original film still stands as one of the most influential films of all time, and will always stand as the greatest of all the Kong films. This film has been one of my most anticipated films of the year. With an all-star cast and awesome trailer, this was promising to be an action-packed thrill ride. For me it did not disappoint. This is the best Kong film since the 1933 original!
WARNING! I will be explaining the plot in detail! So Spoiler Alert! Go and see this movie before you read my review. Okay, let's get started!
The plot of the film goes like this. The film begins with an American pilot, Hank Marlow, and a Japanese pilot during WWII crash- landing on an island. After a brief conflict and cameo by Kong, the film jumps to 1973. Two men: Bill Randa (John Goodman) and Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins) are trying to get government support for an expedition to an uncharted island in the South Pacific which was just revealed by satellite images. They are able to get their support, an organize an elite team for their mission. They recruit a Vietnam War soldier Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) and his men, expert tracker James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston), and anti-war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson). Their mission begins as they fly through massive storm clouds to reach the island. They begin to drop bombs, which Brooks explains as they are mapping the surface of the island. In reality, they are trying to awaken the monsters on the island. Eventually, the team comes across Kong, and he is furious. Kong begins to swipe down all the helicopters in an effort to defend his turf. Several soldiers are lost in the attack.
Packard threatens Randa, asking him why they are really here. Randa reveals that they were really trying to prove that monsters exist, as Randa is part of a government organization known as Monarch. The team is separated and must meet up at the pick up site. Packard is trying desperately to find a lost soldier, Chapman. Meanwhile, Conrad, Weaver, and a few others find Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly), who explains to them how he got there, and the mysterious beings known by him as Skull Crawlers. Packard continues endlessly to find Chapman, who unknown to him, has been devoured by a small Skull Crawler. After learning of Packard's true intentions of wanting to kill Kong, Conrad, Weaver and Marlow stand up to him, trying to defend Kong. However, Packard has accidentally awoken the big Skull Crawler, who chases the group as they try to escape the island. Kong has an enormous fight with the Skull Crawler, and the remaining survivors escape from the island.
The cast was a surprise for me in this movie. I really did like all the characters in this film. It took time to develop each character, and set up the cast as not just expendable. Some of the characters in the film die, but not all of them (No Spoilers Here!).
The film is no doubt, an action movie. From the beginning to the end, you are glued to your seat, watching an action-packed film with great CGI. Kong himself looks amazing, and a lot of the shots in the film are jaw-dropping. The Skull Crawlers are very menacing, and serve as the true villains of the film. The fight between Kong and the big Skull Crawler is extremely entertaining, and in my opinion, beats the V- Rex fight from Peter Jackson's Kong film. There are also a few other creatures, such as Buffaloes and a massive Spider, that are really there to entice the dangers of Skull Island. The island itself is very grand and very convincing. A lot of the sets, such as the boneyard are very detailed and realistic.
In conclusion, Kong Skull Island did not disappoint me. With a well- developed cast, interesting story, and fantastic action, this film has well deserved all the hype it has received. While nothing can top the original King Kong, this film has easily established itself as the king of all the other Kong films. It is massively entertaining and keeps going from beginning to end. Kong Skull Island is first in what should be a great year of blockbuster films. Kong Skull Island gets a 9/10 from me! Go and see it if you have not! You won't be disappointed!!!