Breaking Down The 'Kong: Skull Island' First Look Footage
So, if you're like me, you've already watched Legendary Picture's first look at 'Kong: Skull Island' at least a few times, but I ended up going a little further than that. Below are some specific screenshots from the featurette and my thoughts on a few different interesting aspects of the new footage.
These first couple shots remind me of a scene straight out of 'Jurassic Park.' I'm sure they take place in-between a couple of action set pieces as the team explores the island in search of whatever it is the story has them looking for. Have they already encountered Kong at these two separate points?
This shot is a couple of frames before an explosion sends one of the characters soaring. Maybe taking place at their camp or even at the native's village? It's hard to tell, but I think we'll lose a couple characters here.
After playing Loki, it's hard to see Tom Hiddleston in such a man's man role, but he seems perfectly comfortable running around in this footage. In the film, he plays a former British SAS officer who travels with the group and probably has more than a passing interest in Brie Larson's character.
Easily the most popular image from the video, it's hard to tell what's going on in this shot. The imagery is undeniably striking though.
Our first look at Samuel L. Jackson's character before zooming out to reveal...
...THE BONES OF A DEAD KONG!
Obviously either a sibling/parent/rival/etc to the leading ape in the film, this at least answers a few of the questions concerning what his size might be in this new shared universe with Godzilla. Let's hope the actual Kong is even bigger than this or the 2020 rematch with the big G won't last very long.
So many Vietnam war callbacks. I really do hope it does more with tying into the time period than just flashing familiar uniforms and guns. It could make for a much deeper film.
This looks like it takes place on the ship before reaching Skull Island. I'm really digging the look of the film from these monitor shots, but they obviously don't fully reflect what the Arri Alexa cameras are capturing and sending off to the colorist. Take them with a grain of salt.
This looks like a downed helicopter, or something along those lines, so I'm guessing they arrive on the island with a bang and part of the plot centers around them trying to get back to the boat.
If I were a betting man, I'd put some money on this shot taking place later in the film. It really has that feel to it, and who knows what matte is going to be placed on that green screen in the background. 1970's New York from a high vantage point, maybe? I doubt it, but it would be pretty amazing to see the classic third act played out with the type of style they're going for in this film.
These last two really interest me because of how different they are from the rest. Here are at least two characters who never make it to the island presumably, but are pulling all the strings. John Goodman in particular looks to be up to no good, but again, we'll have to see more of the movie before we really know what's going on or what his character's sinister desires truly are.
What do you think of this early look at the film? Does it make you want to see more, or are you worried about the direction they're taking? Let us know in the comments below.
UPDATE:
So, it was pointed out to us here at Tokyo Lives that John Goodman can in fact be seen in the above "group shot" of the military on the island. So, he does make it there despite my speculating otherwise.