TV Review: Skull Island (2023)

Skull Island (2023) created by Brian Duffield based on the King Kong franchise

Charlie and Mike are the sons of two sea explorers who are looking for cryptids, specifically a legendary island that is supposed to have a lot of them (obviously Skull Island, home of King Kong). Their boat picks up a teenage girl whose escaped another ship and is a bit of a wild child. They don't have long to talk to her when they are attacked by some men from the other ship. Those men don't have long to attack when a giant sea creature shows up and kills most of the crew and the baddies too. Charlie, Mike, and the girl (named Annie) wash up on a mysterious island full of giant, mutant animals. It's a hostile island with dangerous natives. The survivors of that other ship are there and want the girl back.

This animated series promises some King Kong action though the big ape does not show up till halfway through the eight-episode arc. The humans' adventures are the typical fight against a variety of giant, mutated animals. The action is fun if a bit gory (the show is rated TV-14). The creators want to appeal to a broader audience than the typical youthful cartoon watcher. Hints at a larger story are left unfulfilled as the show clearly sets up a second season which does not seem to be in production two years later. The story is enjoyable enough on its own if you are a Monsterverse fan, which I certainly am.

Mildly recommended--this is more for fans of the Universal Studios Monsterverse like me.

As I write (March 2025), this is only streaming on Netflix.