The king has returned! “Kong: Skull Island” was absolutely breathtaking, and once the action began, there was never a halt. The CGI was stunning and perfectly portrayed the massive beast in all his glory. The movie kept audiences on the edge of their seats, especially when the massive fight scenes were on screen. Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, this depiction of the film takes the audience to Kong’s home, Skull Island.

The film starts with the illusive and mysterious Monarch company from 2014’s “Godzilla” and, although taking place at the end of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War, continues the search for large legendary creatures of myths. Monarch puts together an expedition consisting of scientists and a military helicopter squadron. Their task is to map out the island with seismic charges. However, things take a turn for the worst, and the helicopter squadron is almost completely decimated by an angry Kong. Now stranded on the island, the remaining survivors must band together to escape the island alive.

“Skull Island” is very similar to 2014’s “Godzilla” directed by Gareth Edwards. Despite taking place in 2014 about forty one years after the events of Kong Skull Island, “Godzilla” showed audiences that Monarch had run into an ‘old friend’ of theirs and ironically faced nuclear crisis at the hands of both Godzilla and a couple of MUTOs. “Godzilla” focused more on the human families and human action rather than the very monster the movie was ostensibly about. Even though he showed up a whopping hour into the film, he still engaged in an awesome fight just like Kong did forty one years prior. Unlike “Godzilla,” “Skull Island” showed Kong entering the film just thirty minutes in and didn’t want to stop the show there.

Probably the best reason the movie was so good was how it tied itself into other movies in the monsterverse, like “Godzilla,” and also had little easter eggs and references to earlier adaptations of the film. Both films opened up with similar introduction screens. Also, in “Skull Island,” a member of Monarch played by John Goodman references the infamous “Castle Bravo” nuclear test which was revealed to be one of many attempts to kill Godzilla. The various easter eggs and references piece together the road ahead for Monarch and the monsterverse, preparing audiences for “Godzilla: King of Monsters” in 2019 and “Kong V. Godzilla” in 2020.

“Skull Island” was an immediate hit and definitely got audiences hyped for the two follow-up films. The little links to the other movies and creatures in the monsterverse were very cleverly implemented. The cast and crew was amazing and the overall story was fantastic. There is certainly going to be a lot of hype for the return of the true King of Monsters….. “Godzilla.”

Below are stories published in the April 7 Issue of The Roaring Gazette.

Meet the Candidates by Cassidy O’Neal

Ring Dance Glamorous and Unforgettable by Kaylyn Neves

Three Lunches Test Cafeteria Capacity by Elena Day

Student Art Wows at the MOCA by Ariana Hernandez

When Senioritis Gets Real by Kayla Smith

Passing Students Just to Pass Them: Why this is Harmful by Dave Nimer

Let’s Face it: Cursive is Dead by Amari McCoy

Schools Should Re-Think Standardized Testing by Tyanna Lamar

Immigration is Great, but the U.S. must Ensure it is Safe, Legal by Dylan Klepk

In a Digital World, Why do Teachers Make us Print? by Marissa Howell

Achieve 3000 Causes Undue Stress by Tyler Dennis

“Kong” an Exciting Set-Up for the Monsterverse by Austin Luciani

Big Sean’s New Album Proves He’s Back by Erin Nathan

Top Ten Wiseguy Films by Charles Romano