When I first heard about Kong:Skull Island and then seeing the first trailer I was excited but still a bit hesitant. From the people who brought you Godzilla are now giving us Kong. After the Peter Jackson "King Kong" movie and Pacific Rim, technology has come to the point where we really aren't looking at the screen thinking, that's good special effects. The SFX is so good we can actually focus on the story and having a fun time.

It's 1973 and Bill Randa (John Goodman) has a theory. He wants to prove this theory by going to an uncharted island in the Pacific. The island has only been recently discovered due to new satellite technology. After the government agrees to his expedition, provides military escort (headed by Samuel L. Jackson) and hires James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) to lead the team they head to Skull Island.

As far as a non-spoiler review that's about as far as I will go on story. If you've seen even one trailer, you've got the idea. They find incredible creatures on the islanda and biggest and baddest of them all, Kong.

I've seen quite a few mixed reviews for this film. Sometimes I think reviewers forget why we go to the movies. We want to be taken to another world, another place, another time. I knew exactly what type of movie this was going to be...big, loud and action packed. Those reviewers out there looking for 'character development' can go back and watch 'Manchester by the Sea' again and leave the rest of us alone as we enjoy some fun monster fighting action!

There were so many fun performances in this movie. Tom Hiddleston solidifies my fandom for him. He never misses a beat and comes across confident, adventurous and smart. Brie Larson is an anti-war photographer dishes it out as well as anyone. The lack of onscreen romance between these two charcters is also refreshing. Samuel L. Jackson seems to be in about every movie nowadays but he again pulls it off in Kong:SI. I'm saving the best for last...John C. Reilly. When I first saw him in the trailer I was apprehensive. I wasn't sure how this comedy actor would fit in to this type of movie. Let me tell you...Reilly ties this movie together and makes it just a bit more fun than I expected. He was by far the best part of the movie.

What is there more to say about this film? It's about a giant gorilla on an island in the South Pacific. Not only that, there's a world on this island. There are characters that you actually care about. It's not a perfect movie by any means. There are some characters that come and go quickly or are never explained but I suspect they were on the cutting room floor to keep this movie at the 2hr mark. I bet the expanded version on blu-ray will help this and I for one will be looking forward to have this in my collection next to King Kong, Godzilla and Pacific Rim.

Don't forget to stay until after the credits for this one. The credits run a bit long with hundreds of digital artists to display but hints towards future movies are revealed in the end credit scene. If your looking for big fun, a big story and a big gorilla...this is the movie for you. Don't miss Kong:Skull Island.