In the vein of how “Apocalypse Now” filtered Joseph Conrad’s observations in “Heart of Darkness” on human nature through the specificity of warfare, “Kong: Skull Island” filters the concerns in “King Kong” (the 1933 original and 2005 remake) about hubris and man’s relationship with nature through the lens of the Vietnam War. It’s a creative…

Peter Jackson’s love for the 1933 original “King Kong” shines through this, his loving 2005 remake. Jackson saw the film as a child, where it brought him to tears and inspired him to be a filmmaker, and this remake feels like the result of the film stewing in his brain for decades. It’s full of…

A very insightful, energetic, and fun look into the production of Peter Jackson’s 2005 “King Kong” remake. Jackson really goes the extra mile with fan engagement, his lengthy “Appendices” special features for his “The Lord of the Rings” adaptations a highpoint. He’s extremely earnest, which is very likeable, and the way he walks through various…

Very impressive and groundbreaking for its time. The start and end zip along pretty nicely, and the middle doesn’t sag for too long. The melodrama and performances of the cast are charming now, contextualised. The stop-motion animation really is impressive for the 1920s, and the narrative builds up to the introduction of the dinosaurs quite…