Kong karting for Tom Hiddleston and co

Purists know that special effects genius Willis O’Brien created the only King Kong that matters back in 1933, but it feels like the movies have finally stopped playing catch-up in terms of breathing the character to life. The film is an artful remake that does justice to the original. “Kong: Skull Island” is a Saturday afternoon monster movie, nothing more and nothing less – that’s what’s good about it.

The special effects are nothing short of incredible, with spectacular creature designs on the island’s various Kong-battling beasties (including a very big octopus and a terrifying spider), as well as Kong himself. Considering that movie is one of my all-time favorites, I’m downright giddy at this development.

I really fell hard for “Kong: Skull Island“.

You’d love for a few more creative ideas to have come from screenwriters Dan Gilroy; Max Borenstein, a writer on “Godzilla”; and Derek Connolly, but they’ve done a solid job with the script.

It unfolds during the Nixon era when the Cold War was in full swing.

Col. Packard (Samuel L. Jackson, in a role that for him has grown old), is the no-nonsense commander of the small platoon carrying a chip on his shoulder over the failing Vietnam war effort.

Academy Award victor Brie Larson is speaking out against Hollywood’s harsh body standards as she continues to break the mould for female stars on screen. But Randa’s real motive is to find monsters he believes inhabit the island.

Similarly, the monster battle scenes are imaginatively staged and genuinely thrilling, particularly the jaw-dropping initial attack sequence, which has an angry Kong swatting helicopters out of the sky. “Sounds stupid now that I say it”.

With causalities high, the remaining crew take off in hopes of being rescued.

The comic relief is provided by John C. Reilly’s deliciously impish portrayal of half-crazed World War II pilot Hank Marlow, who has been marooned on the island for 29 years.

Almost the entire film is set on Skull Island, as the group navigates its treacherous lands and comes across its many larger-than-life species including a big spider that’s sure to be nightmare fuel for many audience members.

“We experienced all types of weather”, says Larson.

As in all previous “King Kong” movies, Skull Island turned out to be filled with creatures, including the scariest giant spider since Shelob in “The Return of the King”, except this one is a lot bigger.

Larson is just stunning.

“We started sometime in October (2015), so I pretty much missed winter in the United States, which was great”. “And I’m just amazed that they all turned out”.

Jane Fonda, who was interviewed by Brie for the March issue of Net-A-Porter’s The Edit magazine, said: “I think it is terrifying being a young actress now”.

Side note: After what seemed like twenty-minuets of credits, there’s a surprise ending scene which perfectly sets up the sequel.

The group gets a taste of what they’re up against when Kong starts swatting choppers out of the air like they’re flies.

This Friday, Brie Larson gives the mighty ape “paws” for reflection in Kong: Skull Island, the latest attempt to recapture some of the magic of the original.