Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson in “Kong: Skull Island”.  “Kong: Skull Island” is the newest of many movies based off of the original and iconic “King Kong” movie.

‘Kong: Skull Island’ –Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and Samuel L. Jackson
7.5 out of 10
By Hayden Welty ’19
THE ROUNDUP

“Kong: Skull Island” is a fast-paced action thriller detailing the story of a group of researchers, adventurers and soldiers who venture onto an uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean.

Along the way, they encounter the mighty beast Kong and are forced to partake in the ultimate battle between man and nature.

The formidable cast puts on a compelling and strong performance, with performances from stars Samuel L. Jackson, John C. Reilly, John Goodman and Tom Hiddleston stealing the show; in this case, these consistent actors deliver thoroughly well-done portrayals. In a movie with giant apes and walking skeletons, these actors ground the film in witty, realistic suspense.

The rest of the cast is rounded out by Corey Hawkins, John Ortiz, Tony Kebbell and Chinese star Tian Jing.

The special effects and CGI devise arguably the best King Kong yet, leaving viewers with the same starry-eyed wonder that made the original so famous. Even the other beasts on the island exhibit excellent imagination and creativity combined with exceptional CGI, bringing the island and its inhabitants to life.

Despite the impressive cast and awe-inspiring graphics, the film falls for the same tropes that seem to plague almost all modern-day blockbusters.

Implausible twists and a lack of imagination left me literally laughing out loud at one point due to the improbability of the events that were transpiring on the screen.

Overall though, the movie is enjoyable, and the plot holes don’t take you out of the generally well-done follow-up to a long line of impressive films.

“Kong: Skull Island” has been received with moderate praises from moviegoers and critics alike, scoring a B+ Cinemascore, earning a 79 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and racking up a 3 out of 4 on Roger Ebert. The film has been accompanied by similarly decent performances at the Box Office, grossing $151.4 million so far into its release, which will likely render the movie profitable as it bears a $185 million dollar budget (excluding advertisements).