So sit back and allow us to break down everything you need to know before watching "Skull Island."
"Skull Island" shares one thing in common with 1976's "King Kong" in that it takes place in the 1970's Hopefully that's all the two share in common...
The 1973 setting is crucial. It gives the main characters a leg-up in terms of the weapons and technology they're able to bring to bear against Skull Island's vicious inhabitants, but it's not so far in the future that it's impossible to believe there could still be a hidden island full of dinosaurs and giant apes. Plus, "Skull Island" is said to have (at times) a kind of psychedelic, very "Apocalypse Now"-inspired vibe.
Tom Hiddleston stars as James Conrad, a disillusioned Vietnam War vet who's hired on as a hunter-tracker for the expedition. Samuel L. Jackson plays Preston Packard, the leader of a helicopter squadron known as the Black Devils. Brie Larson plays Mason Weaver, a war-time photographer, who ends up literally in Kong's clutches -- after developing a sort of respect for the beast.
The cast also includes John Goodman, as the member of shady agency MONARCH responsible for the expedition to Scary Monster Death Island, and John C. Reilly.
He's being presented as the last survivor of a race of giant apes who were wiped out by Skull Island's more bloodthirsty inhabitants. Over the course of the film, our heroes will come to learn that Kong is their ally, not a beast to be exploited.
This shared universe was born with 2014's "Godzilla." Following the release of "Skull Island" and 2019's "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," the MonsterVerse will culminate with 2020's "Godzilla vs. King Kong."
We don't know what will cause these two titans to clash, but we fear for anyone caught in the middle of that brawl.
"Kong: Skull Island" hits theaters Friday. Get your tickets now.
