That Legendary Television and Netflix’s animated series “Skull Island” comes from creator/writer/executive producer Brian Duffield makes perfect sense. The writer behind Underwater, Love and Monsters, and Spontaneous has already established an affinity for larger-than-life monsters, a sense of adventure, and an uncanny knack for tugging at the heartstrings in the process. All three of those elements capture the essence of the monstrously sized yet tender-hearted King Kong, and they’re at the core of “Skull Island,” a lighthearted standalone series that goes big on nonstop monster mayhem.
“Skull Island” hits the ground running with an action-heavy sequence introducing wild teen Annie (Mae Whitman) as she evades her gun-toting captors from a sea vessel. As the military-like bunch pursues Annie to shore, another group of erstwhile researchers and adventurers also wash ashore when a massive cephalopod-like creature capsizes their boat. The survivors all find themselves on the treacherous Skull Island. The teens get separated from the adults quickly. Teen Charlie (Nicolas Cantu) and an injured Mike (Darren Barnet) team up with Annie in search of her dog and Charlie’s dad, Cap (Benjamin Bratt), while Cap encounters the enigmatic Irene (Betty Gilpin), who’s desperate to recapture Annie at any cost.
All will quickly realize getting off the island in one piece won’t be easy when gigantic, hostile creatures roam free.
Skull Island (L to R) Betty Gilpin as Irene, Phil LaMarr as Sam and Benjamin Bratt as Cap in Skull Island. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
The first half of the breezy eight-episode season embraces quick-witted humor and comedy to accompany the nonstop action. Quippy one-liners ease viewers into the chaos as Charlie and Mike dodge giant man-eating crabs and convince Annie, who’s been living on the island since she was shipwrecked as a child, to guide them. Cap’s altruistic nature thaws Irene as they encounter the dangerous flora and fauna of Skull Island. These irreverent, dual storylines do eventually converge once they’ve thoroughly highlighted why the series is named after King Kong’s kingdom; the giant ape may hold enduring fascination, but there’s much worth exploring in the bizarre, creature-filled setting of Skull Island.
The irreverent tone and the animation style of Netflix’s “Skull Island” make for an easy entry point into the expanded Monsterverse. Worldbuilding takes center stage over lore and characterizations. No clear-cut lines exist between good and evil, at least not with the humans. It’s a simple tale of survival against fantastical odds, told with a brisk pace that doesn’t ease up on the action or the casual jokes. That shifts in the back half, when Annie becomes a more affecting and fully realized protagonist through her poignant bond with her monstrous canine, and King Kong gets brought more firmly into the fold in a deeply affecting way.
Skull Island. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2023
“Skull Island” showcases a new side of King Kong’s home, emphasizing the environment over the tender-hearted ape himself. It yields a fun, briskly-paced introduction to the Monsterverse for younger audiences. Brian Duffield’s interest in exploring new terrain is also winsome; don’t expect to see too many familiar faces or claws here, though “Skull Island” does inject a few recognizable tie-ins to the Monsterverse.
There’s enough heart in the series’ back half to win over older viewers, but it’s not the humans that earn empathy. As usual, King Kong’s bittersweet place as Skull Island’s alpha endears most, along with Annie’s deep bond with her canine beast. Through them, a straightforward narrative packed with action and dialogue like “stabby no worky” develops stakes and rooting interest. But “Skull Island” abruptly ends the season when it feels like it’s just getting started.
“Skull Island” is now streaming on Netflix.
