Kan't Believe It's This Good.

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2018)

It had only been 12 years since Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong. When Kong: Skull Island referenced "Heart Of Darkness", even if it's by way of "Apocalypse Now", I was groaning. (Some character's names seem to be reference Conrad's Heart of Darkness)
Then, Bri Larson finds herself face to face with the big guy. And hey, it worked. Kong's heroic character in this one is very welcome. And it seems to work considerably better than in 2005. Kong even lets Bri stroke his snout, but never has an issue with Tom Hiddleston standing beside her. He's not love sick as in 2005.
Samuel Jackson chews up more scenery than the monsters. But that adds to the fun. John C. Riley adds a marvelous touch as a WW2 soldier stuck on the island for decades, a little nutty but able to get along with every one.
At two hours, this movie is not over-produced, and allows our beloved ape rule as a bad mother-scratcher who has a heart of gold.