The narrative structure of King Kong movies has remained relatively consistent over the past 90 years. Typically, people encounter a giant gorilla on an isolated island, the gorilla develops an infatuation with a woman and is brought back to a major city, the gorilla ultimately escapes, and then meets its demise by falling from a great height. This blueprint is followed in the original 1933 film, as well as the 1976 and 2005 remakes. However, elements of this story can be found in other movies as well, such as the connections between characters in films like “Son of Kong,” “King Kong Escapes,” and “Kong: Skull Island,” as well as the removal of Kong from his home in movies like “King Kong vs. Godzilla” and “Godzilla vs. Kong.” Even in the seemingly absurd “King Kong Lives,” Kong is revived only to be killed off again. With such a predetermined trajectory for these beloved giant movie apes, the directors and crew behind these films are only able to truly unleash their creativity in the sections set on Skull Island, Kong’s homeland. Here, they have the freedom to concoct various locations, creatures, and scenarios, ranging from prehistoric to fantastical. With the release of the new Netflix cartoon series, “Skull Island,” which is almost entirely set on the island, the show fully embraces this sense of delightful and often bloody freedom.
As part of the “MonsterVerse,” a shared universe featuring Godzilla and Kong as central figures in a manner similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Skull Island” adheres to the rules of the live-action expanded universe. This means that viewers should not expect to see the Lost World of dinosaurs from the original 1933 film or Peter Jackson’s remake. Instead, the monsters in the show, as described by “Kong: Skull Island” director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, feel realistic and could plausibly exist in a wild and untamed ecosystem. They simultaneously possess a beauty and horror that is a testament to the effort put into integrating them into their surroundings.
This focus on seamlessly incorporating monsters into their environment is evident from the very beginning of “Skull Island.” Many of the creatures feel like natural extensions of their habitat, blending in and posing as predators that lurk within the island’s man-eating realm. Throughout the series, characters face off against gargantuan crabs that attack when they detect movement, an enormous mollusk with enticing shiny innards that lures in unsuspecting prey, snakes that resemble the surrounding tree vines, and a large rodent whose back seamlessly blends with the field of high grass. The cartoon consistently strives to create mutated creatures that seamlessly integrate into their surroundings, reinforcing the notion that no matter where one attempts to hide, there is always something nearby ready to make them its next meal.
This commitment to excitement and adventure also keeps the setting of Skull Island vibrant, even when much of the show’s characters spend their time simply traversing through it. There is a constant sense of anticipation and questions arise, such as “What lurks here? What monster is hiding, waiting to pounce and devour you?” It is this element that has defined some of the most iconic moments in Kong’s history, from the ill-fated sailors traversing the swamp on a raft in the 1933 film, only to be capsized by an inexplicably carnivorous brontosaurus lurking beneath the water’s surface, to the eerie “insect pit” sequence in the 2005 reboot where every crevice was infested with flesh-eating bugs.
Skull Island should not logically exist, with the majority of those who stumble upon it dismissing it as a peculiar and strange jungle. However, the show perfectly captures that shock of discovering that not only do these forms of life not belong there, but you, the viewer, shouldn’t be there either. Yet, it is already too late. At its core, the story of King Kong is a reflection of humanity’s inability to leave nature undisturbed. Inevitably, our reckless actions will destroy the wonders of the world. Even in franchise blockbusters like “Godzilla vs. Kong,” it is only an innocent child who can form a bond with Kong, mainly because she does not seek to harm or exploit him. “Skull Island” showcases a number of these budding relationships, but it also maintains a fascination with the terrifying potential of the setting. On the island, the tables are turned – dinosaurs roam, gigantic creatures have evolved over the years, and it seems to be a tropical sanctuary connected to the mysterious “Hollow Earth.” It is a place where man’s greed and misguided ambitions hold no power, and where the beauty and horror of nature know no bounds, limited only by the imagination of the filmmakers. In this environment, your survival is far from guaranteed.
“Skull Island” is now available for streaming on Netflix.