Yes, kids, this is yet-another origins story (are we sensing a trend here?), focusing on the old stomping grounds of everyones favorite disgruntled gorilla, King Kong. Little is actually known about the plot itself (or if Kong is even the main focus), but when a teaser was shown at this years Comic-Con, it was greeted with some disappointed groans in the audience once they realized it wasnt a trailer for the upcoming Jurassic World. Despite the presence of fangirl heartthrob Tom Hiddleston, one must question how many moviegoers actually wish to revisit this island. The highlight of every King Kong film (even the idiotic 1976 version) was always the title creatures escape from his captors, his subsequent rampage through New York, followed by his tragic death. One could even argue that King Kong is already an origin story. But even if you dont agree, wouldnt going back to visit his early days on Skull Island destroy some of the mystique that made him so appealing to begin with? WHAT COULD SAVE THIS FILM: Retain the title for brand name recognition only. Acknowledge its the same island, but avoid featuring Kong at all. Make Skull Island a terrifying place (which Peter Jackson admittedly did very well) where the rules of accepted science do not apply. Make it a survival story with characters we care about.
D.M. Anderson works and lives in Portland Oregon. He is the author of two young adult novels (Killer Cows & Shaken) and a collection of dark tales (With the Wicked). He has also published several short stories which have appeared (or will appear) in various anthologies and magazines such as 69 Flavors of Paranoia, Night Terrors, Trembles, Encounters, Implosion, Strange Fucking Stories, Perpetual Motion Machine. He documents his adventures in the dark on on his movie site, Free Kittens Movie Guide
