Kong Skull Island Review

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Brie Larson, John C Reiley, John Goodman, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, King Kong, Kong Skull Island, Kong Skull Island Review, Samuel L Jackson, Skull Island, Skullcrawlers, Tom Hiddleston

Kong Skull Island

Review by Paul Bowler

Kong Skull Island sees Hollywood’s most iconic movie monster of them all, King Kong, smashing his way back onto the big screen, together with an all-star cast, including Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, and John C Reilly for Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts blockbusting reboot of the Kong Kong franchise.

Set in 1973, as the Vietnam War is drawing to a close, representatives of Monarch (the same corporation from Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla) scientist Bill Randa (John Goodman) and his colleague Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins), recruit British former S.A.S officer / James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) for his tracking skills, along with anti-war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson), and a crack team of soldiers led by Samuel L Jackson’s no-nonsense Colonel Packard, to escort them to a fabled uncharted island to uncover its mysteries.

But when their helicopters are attacked by Kong, the downed survivors of the expedition of scientists and soldiers face a daunting trek across Skull Island to rendezvous with a rescue team. On the way they encounter the local natives, and Marlow (John C Reilly), a WWII pilot who became stranded on Skull Island back in 1944, and with his help they continue their journey, running a dangerous gauntlet with the other gigantic monsters on the island amidst their epic clashes with Kong in their desperate bid to escape from Skull Island.

Kong Skull Island is an entertaining adrenalin fuelled monster movie, the screenplay by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, and Derek Connolly is fast paced and exciting. You can’t really go wrong though when you have a cast of the calibre of Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, and John Goodman, even though the story gives scant time for much in-depth characterization, but, aside some odd moments of cheesy dialogue, there are strong performances all around, and John C Reilly totally steals the lime-light from everyone as Marlow.

The real “star” of the movie, though, is of course King Kong himself, and the other bizarre array of creatures that inhabit Skull Island. Kong looks magnificent, standing at 100ft tall; the gigantic monster ape has never looked more menacing and as powerful as he has here. His introduction is swift, tossing helicopters left right and centre, in a terrifying display of bestial fury, and from there on in every time Kong appears to menace the expedition or battle monsters, your jaw will hit the floor as the rampaging carnage unfolds. As well as Kong, Hiddleston and Co encounter all manner of other wild and dangerous beasties during their arduous voyage across the island, the most fearsome of which are the Skullcrawlers, who in turn are also Kong’s most formidable adversaries on the island.

Sidestepping the more usual Kong tropes to go for a full-on reboot in terms of tone and style, the distinct Apocalypse Now vibe that Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts has going on with the stunning visuals epitomizes Vogt-Roberts vision for the film, which, together with the terrific 70’s soundtrack, effectively ensures that this adventure to Skull Island hardly ever hits a dull moment. Its a monster movie epic that makes Kong the revered king of all he surveys – in every sense of the word. Sure, the plot and the human characters may be a bit inconsequential next to all the mega-buck B-Movie monster action set-pieces, but let’s face it, where all here to see Kong in action and unashamedly wallow in the sheer spectacle of it all anyway.

Kong Skull Island does exactly what it says on the tin, and then some. It all rounds off with a titanic smack down as Kong tackles his most powerful adversary of all, and there’s even some tantalising post-credit franchise cross pollinating to look out for as well. Big on action and high on fun, Kong Skull Island is a triumphant reimagining of the King Kong mythos for fans old and new, and a sure-fire monster hit not to be missed.

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Captain America The Winter Soldier Film Review

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Anthony Mackie, Anthony Russo, Captain America, Captain America The Winter Soldier, Chris Evans, Joe Russo, Marvel, Nick Fury, Robert Redford, S.H.I.E.L.D, Samuel L Jackson, Scarlet Johansson, Sebastian Stan, The Black Widow, The Falcon, The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Review by Paul Bowler

Captain America: The Winter Soldier gets the next installment of the Marvel saga off to a fine start, as the shield-slinging Avenger continues to adjust to life in the modern world as his past returns to haunt him. This blockbuster sequel to 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger sees Steve Rogers / Captain America settling into his new life following the events of The Avengers as he continues to work with Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D.

A new threat emerges after Captain America is involved in a rescue mission at sea after a ship is captured by Georges Batroc (George St-Pierre); Cap uncovers a dark conspiracy, one that challenges everything he stands for. When someone close to him is attacked Captain America teams up with Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, in his ongoing battle against the highly trained forces that have been sent against him, whilst also enlisting the help of a new ally, the Falcon, as they face a powerful new enemy, one with a secret past of his own – the formidable Winter Soldier.

This Marvel sequel is a real step up for the franchise. While his origin was handled well in Captain America: The First Avenger, the character was still finding his feet in The Avengers, now in The Winter Soldier we have a film that really capitalizes on the characters full potential. Chris Evans gives a great performance as Captain America / Steve Rogers, bringing an added depth to the character as Cap finds himself in a world where political corruption is now his greatest enemy. There is also the heartrending realization of everything he has left behind in his old life, it’s an underlying theme which The Winter Soldier uses to great effect, one that shows how much this franchise has evolved and grown.

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is in many respects, as much a gritty conspiracy thriller as it is an all-out superhero action story, and as a result the tightly plotted screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFreely delivers its fair share of thrills and adrenalin pumping action sequences along with some well structured character development to balance the excellently choreographed fight scenes.

When Cap learns about a secret project and the Helicarriers created for it, each fitted out with new surveillance technology and weapons to eliminate potential threats before they can happen, the duplicitous and uncompromising nature of the project brings him into conflict with S.H.I.E.L.D and his boss Nick Fury. As the forces of the clandestine organization manipulating events from within begins to close in it falls to Captain America and the Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy that now threatens to engulf them all. Samuel L Jackson also gets plenty to do as Nick Fury, giving a captivating and commanding performance, and Scarlet Johansson is excellent as the badass super-spy, Robert Redford stars as a Government official for S.H.I.E.L.D, while Cobie Smulders plays Mira Hill and Emil VanCamp is introduced as Sharon Carter. Hayley Atwell also returns, made up as the elderly Peggy Carter – the Captain’s former sweetheart from the 1940’s.

There is great chemistry between Cap and the Black Widow, with their opposing morals and personalities, forcing them together in such extreme circumstances like this makes for some really exciting moments. Anthony Mackie makes an impressive new addition to the series as war veteran Sam Wilson, who also strikes up a close friendship with Cap. Wilson is later transformed into the Falcon with the help of some special flight equipment, which he uses to join the battle.

The action in Captain America: The Winter Soldier hardly lets up for moment: with a thrilling fight on a ship at sea, a nail-biting car chase through Washington and assassination attempt on Nick Fury is perfectly staged, and there are also some brilliant aerial battles when the Falcon joins the fray and takes to the skies.

The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) is ruthlessly efficient killer; he possesses a metallic arm, and has a flair for violence that will let nothing stop him from achieving his goal. The Winter Soldier also has a dark, terrible secret, one that also reaches back into Cap’s own past. Sebastian Stan gives an excellent performance as The Winter Soldier, as intense as the Terminator, with just a glimmer of the humanity beneath, his true identity and that of those he works for may come as no surprise, but his steely presence is more than enough to maintain the suspense.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a spectacular film which draws on every ounce of its dark premise, inspired by Ed Brubaker’s Winter Soldier storyline from the Captain America comics, and this makes for a hugely entertaining film. There are plenty of references, name-checks, and in-jokes for fans to enjoy, while still being enjoyable and accessible for those who haven’t read the comic book series. Captain America: The Winter Soldier really honours the character of the star spangled Avenger, events in this film look set shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe quite dramatically, it is easily the best of Marvel’s Phase 2 films so far, the special effects are breathtaking, and it all builds towards a spectacular action-packed final act that will have you on the edge of your seat. A must see film, and make sure you sick around for those two post credit scenes as well.

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Django Unchained: Film Review

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Bromhilda, Calvin Candie, Django, Django Unchained, Dr King Schiltz, Jamie Fox, Kerry Washington, Leonardo Di Caprio, Quentin Tarantino, Samuel L Jackson, Schiltz, spaghetti western

Django Unchained

Review by Paul Bowler

 

After the critically mauled Death Proof proved to be a box office flop, and the flawed Inglorious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino makes a triumphant return to form in his brilliant homage to the spaghetti western genre with the satirical blaxplotation satire – Django Unchained. Inspired by Sergio Corbucci’s 1966 film, Django, Tarantino’s blood-splattered western turns this tale of revenge into a sprawling epic that unashamedly plays to the director’s passion for the genre.

Set in the South two years before the Civil War, Django Unchained tells the story of the slave Django (Jamie Fox) who is freed from his chains by German bounty hunter Dr King Schiltz (Christopher Waltz) who needs his help to identify and track down the murderous Brittle brothers. On gaining his freedom, Django leans that his wife Bromhilda (Kerry Washington), who he lost to the slave trade, has fallen in this hands of the despicable plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo Di Caprio), and with Schiltz’s help Django sets out to rescue her.

Django Unchained assails you with its stark visuals right from the outset as the barren landscape of the old west stretches out before you. The blood red credits spill over the ultra-cool soundtrack as Tarantino’s unflinching portrayal of rampant racism sizzles in a heat haze of slapstick humour and gloriously stylised ultra violence.

As ever, Tarantino has chosen a superb cast, with Waltz (who won an Oscar for his role as a Nazi in Inglorious Bastards) giving a perfectly understated performance as the wily old dentist / bounty hunter, while Jamie Fox tempers the burning intensity of former slave Django with a selfless  honour that leave his enemies sprawled in the dirt. Leonardo Di Caprio is fantastic as the sadistic Candie. His cruelty knows no bounds, endearing and charismatic one moment, cross him and you could soon find yourself being ripped limb from limb by a pack of dogs. There are some great cameos from Don Johnson, Tom Savini, Franco Nero, and even Tarantino himself, but all of them are overshadowed by Samuel L Jackson as Candie’s foul mouthed servant who is even more racist than his master.

The best scenes come early on as Django and Schiltz bond during their mission to find the Brittle brothers. Brilliantly shot, their exchanges are tinged with a mutual respect as Django fully embraces his freedom to kill white folk and make money for it.

In time honoured Tarantino fashion, Django Unchained pulls no punches and gives no quarter in its depiction of racism, with a script peppered with enough N-words to fly in the face of political correctness, the film will leave you reeling with its rapid fire dialogue and eye watering brutality. The jet black humour that brazenly slaps you in the face as Tarantino shows Ku Klux Klan members bitching amongst themselves about their poorly fitting hoods, Schiltz’s crazy looking wagon hides an explosive secret, and the way Django hones his gun fighting skills against a snowman sets up a brilliant payback for the films climatic showdown.

The gunfights are a spectacle of exploding scenery and gushing arteries, blazing a trail towards a no holds barred final act that sees Django wreak his revenge against those who have enslaved his wife and tortured him. Brimming with slow-motion shootouts and fantastic performances, Django Unchained is Tarantino’s longest film to date (165min), but it never feels overly padded or drawn out. Not one line is wasted or one bullet spent without driving Django’s quest to save his wife. Flashbacks convey raw emotion of Django’s plight, the suffering he has endured, and the phoenix like way he rises from the ashes of his defeat to rescue his wife is truly awe inspiring.

Django Unchained may not reach the dizzying heights of Tarantino’s former glories, but it is easily his most entertaining film in some time. Sure, tighter editing and a few cuts would have perhaps made it more palatable for some, but Django Unchained is Quentin Tarantino as we love him best: bold, in your face, and courting controversy at every turn.