Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brutal violence in King Kong reboot set after Vietnam War.
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Why Age 14+?
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Kong: Skull Island
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 25 parent reviews
Based on 90 kid reviews
Kids say that this action-packed movie features intense violence and gore that may be too much for younger viewers, with numerous scary images, dismemberment, and strong language throughout. While many enjoy its thrilling scenes and special effects, they caution that the graphic nature and high body count make it more suitable for teens and adults.
- intense violence
- strong language
- graphic scenes
- suitable for teens
- caution for kids
- exciting action
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
KONG: SKULL ISLAND is set in 1973, toward the end of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. A mysterious, well-connected group of scientists, led by Bill Randa (John Goodman) and geologist Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins), joins forces with a map-surveying mission to visit an uncharted island in Southeast Asia. They're accompanied by a military escort, courtesy of Lt. Col. Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) and his intrepid helicopter brigade. Shady British tracker James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) and war photographer Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) are along for the ride, as are soldiers, surveyors, and geologists, like Victor Nieves (John Ortiz), who have no idea what they're in for when the island turns out to be home to all sorts of giant, flesh-eating creatures. And a humongous ape, aka Kong, is at the top of the food chain. When the helicopters arrive and start dropping bombs, Kong takes them out, killing much of the expedition and stranding the rest of them. Soon the crew is divided, with Packard set on getting vengeance, while Conrad and Weaver bump into Marlow (John C. Reilly), an American pilot who's been surviving among the island's native people since World War II. Marlow explains that Kong is the king and guardian of the island and that it's the slithering underground creatures that are the real danger.
Is It Any Good?
Part reboot, part homage to Vietnam War movies, this is the goriest and least approachable outing for Hollywood's favorite ape to date. But Kong: Skull Island does have enough memorable creature battle scenes to make for a fun, if jumpy, moviegoing experience. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts and the screenwriters give Kong a case of Coppola fever. From Jackson's bloodthirsty "love the smell of napalm in the morning" need for vengeance to the fact that a character is named Conrad (Apocalypse Now, one of Vogt-Roberts' inspirations for this movie, was based on Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad) to the aviator sunglasses and slow-motion shots of helicopter rotor blades, it's all there. Except instead of Marlon Brando's Col. Kurtz living among an Indigenous community, it's Reilly's goofy Capt. Marlow (also a Heart of Darkness name), who's been stranded there. Reilly adds much-needed levity to the intensity of the big-budget fight sequences, which are well executed, if gruesome.
The actors are all talented, though Hiddleston seems like a slightly odd choice for his role. Yes, he plays Loki, but his name isn't exactly synonymous with action flicks, and there are times he seems too posh to be believable as a shady tracker battling serious demons. Among the supporting cast, Toby Kebbell's terrible Southern accent is somewhat distracting. But Shea Whigham and Jason Mitchell stand out as opposites-attract soldiers Cole and Mills, who have each other's backs. With so many more human characters, it's unsurprising that Kong himself is less "human" and more awesome, godly beast. For high-stakes, jump-out-of-your-seat popcorn fare, this will do the trick, but don't expect to feel quite as much for Kong as you might have in previous versions of the story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Kong: Skull Island. How does it compare to previous King Kong movies? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
What's the movie's message about offensive vs. defensive war? Is Kong justified in his actions? Is Lt. Col. Packard?
How does the movie convey the importance of empathy, courage and teamwork? Why are those important character strengths?
The movie pays tribute to several Vietnam War-themed films. Do you think that conflict is relevant to younger viewers? Teens: Do you want to learn more about this war because of the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 10, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : July 18, 2017
- Cast : Brie Larson , Tom Hiddleston , Samuel L. Jackson , John Goodman
- Director : Jordan Vogt-Roberts
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Teamwork
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for brief strong language
- Last updated : March 7, 2026
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