Kong: Skull Island

King Kong. How many incarnations have we seen on the silver screen with this big ape emblazoned in full glory? Let me count the ways. A truck load! Ever since the first "King Kong" in 1933 was released, Hollywood has been fascinated with the big monkey. Since then, "King Kong vs. Godzilla" '62, "King Kong Escapes" '67, "King Kong" '76, "King Kong" '05 and others have captured audiences worldwide. Now, for the next generation, we have "Kong: Skull Island" to add to that already huge list.

1973. The Vietnam War is coming to a close. A secret government organization mounts an expedition to Skull Island, an uncharted territory in the Pacific. Led by an explorer, Bill Randa (John Goodman) and a lieutenant colonel, Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson), the group recruit a disillusioned soldier, James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) and a photojournalist, Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) to investigate the island's peculiar seismic activity. But once there, they discover that Skull Island is home to a gigantic ape called King Kong. Soon after, they stumble upon a WWII soldier left from that time, Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly) and together find themselves caught up in an ongoing war between the beast and the area's indigenous predators.

Others to round out the cast are Corey Hawkins as Houston Brooks, John Ortiz as Victor Nieves, Tian Jing as San, Toby Kebbell as Capt. Jack Chapman, Terry Notary as Kong, Jason Mitchell as Mills, Shea Whigham as Cole, Thomas Mann as Slivko, Eugene Cordero as Reles, Marc Evan Jackson as Landsat Steve and Will Brittain as Young Marlow/Marlow's son.

This was intensely directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts ("Mash Up" (TV movie) '11, "The Kings of Summer" '13) plus shorts and TV. Even though this filmmaker has limited experience in the director's chair, he truly knows how to build momentum in his characters as each scene becomes more and more frenetic. He will go far. It was intriguingly well written by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein and Derek Connolly based on a story by John Gatins. This has got to be the best written Kong film since the inception of this franchise. It builds its characters carefully and thoroughly without dragging out the plot development. The film doesn't cut to the chase, however it also doesn't belabor the story and character development, so the audience isn't getting fidgety after a certain length of time. All the writers have limited to excessive experience, but all quality. Connelly wrote "Jurassic World" '15 and has also written "Jurassic World 2" which is being filmed as I'm writing this review. Certainly as I was watching this film, the Jurassic feeling was so similar to Kong: scientists and explorers going to a remote island and all terror starts to ensue and they are fighting for survival to get off the island. I've got to say, I'm a bit bias since I'm an avid fan of the Jurassic Park franchise, so this film allowed me to totally escape into another, fantastical world. I can't end this review without mentioning the visual effects which was creatively designed by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic). This is the quintessential and granddaddy visual effects company. This is their 40th anniversary of creating visuals all starting with "Star Wars" '77, so what a better film to release on their 40th but this Kong film.

If one plans to see this, it has got to be seen on the large screen, because anything less would be a waste of time. I only which I had seen this in the IMAX format. It definitely had that look as though that format would be an awesome viewing. This simply has it all: action, high-adrenaline, incredible visuals, even a story that you can sink your teeth into. Grab the popcorn and have fun with this. I sure did!

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                Rated: PG-13                                    119mins.