Skull Island, the 2017 animated movie from Netflix, sets out to explore the origins of King Kong and his mysterious homeland. Directed by Owen Hurley and written by Zach Shields, Skull Island offers an interesting and colorful take on the classic tale of the giant ape.
Beat on Chest Animation
The movie begins with young explorer Richard Remy (voiced by Simon Otto) embarking on a journey to uncover the secrets of Skull Island. Accompanied by his fearless crew, Richard encounters a variety of dangers on his journey, including pirates, monsters, and treacherous landscapes. One of the standout features of Skull Island is its stunning animation. The movie boasts incredibly detailed and richly textured visuals, bringing the lush jungles, towering cliffs, and awe-inspiring creatures of Skull Island to life in exquisite detail. The character designs are equally impressive, with each member of Richard’s team sporting a unique appearance and distinctive personality. It is a more mature artisic style and feel perfectly suited to both the story and the tone of the film.
The voice acting in Skull Island is also top-notch, with a talented cast that includes Rebecca Hall, Lance Reddick, and John Goodman. Simon Otto does an excellent job portraying Richard Remy as a plucky and determined adventurer, while Hall brings depth and complexity to her role as the mysterious Maya. Meanwhile, Reddick and Goodman lend their distinctive voices to the delightfully eccentric crew members, injecting humor and charm into their performances. All the voice actors really draw you into the characters and help drive the emotional element.
Action Jackson
One of the most impressive aspects of Skull Island is how it manages to balance action and adventure with heart and emotion. While there are plenty of thrilling set pieces and tense encounters with the island’s inhabitants, the movie also takes the time to explore the relationships between the characters, their hopes and fears, and their motivations for embarking on this perilous journey. The result is a film that is both exciting and emotionally resonant. The movie has that blockbuster – high budget vibe to it.
However, despite its many strengths, Skull Island is not without its flaws. The movie suffers from pacing issues, with certain sequences feeling rushed while others drag on for too long. Additionally, the inclusion of a few clichéd story beats and plot twists may detract from the overall enjoyment of the film for some viewers. This can be distracting to the more casual viewer.
To Be Continued
That being said, Skull Island remains a shining example of what can be accomplished with the medium of animation. It is a visually stunning, emotionally engaging, and thrilling adventure that will appeal to both young and old alike. Fans of classic monster movies and epic adventures are sure to find plenty to enjoy in this exciting and imaginative take on the King Kong mythos.
The movie does end in a very unexpected manner which paves the way for the inevitable sequel. Skull Island is a refreshing reminder that old school animation isn’t dead yet.
