It's been a few years since poor Kong got sucker punched by Godzilla. However, fans can go straight back into the MonsterVerse thanks to Netflix's Skull Island animated series. It's an eight-episode exploration of this mysterious lost world and the introduction of a new cast of characters. Surprisingly, while it does add something more to the Kong mythos, its greatest strength lies in the human characters -- and Dog.
Created, written, and executive produced by Brian Duffield (Cocaine Bear, The Babysitter), Skull Island follows a team of explorers -- featuring the young Charlie (Nicolas Cantu) and Mike (Darren Barnet) and their fathers -- who rescue Annie (Mae Whitman) from the ocean. Despite the best of intentions, this kicks off a chain of events that finds them stranded on Skull Island, where various monsters and the mighty Kong reside. Now, they need to figure out how to not get off the island but also survive.
On the island, the human characters are split into two groups: The established, weapon-wielding team and the younger generation of Mike, Charlie, Annie, and her "pet," Dog. Of course, the main beat is that both these parties need to find each other; however, the most interesting parts of Skull Island are when Mike, Charlie, Annie, and Dog interact. Similarities can be drawn to Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, but it must be said this group is far more likable and easier to get behind. This is largely due to the chemistry of Cantu, Whitman, and Barnet who play off each other like they have been lifelong friends.
Skull Island withholds the focus on Kong until the halfway point. What Duffield and the team do here is build up the mystique and lore of the island and help make the audience care for the human characters more. There is a strong hint of Jordan Vogt-Roberts' Kong: Skull Island in the setup and narrative beats, but the animated series takes its time to get to Kong -- and unpacking who the king of the MonsterVerse really is. Skull Island isn't afraid to show off both sides of Kong: violent and compassionate. He can be an ally or a foe, and the show walks a delicate tightrope of demonstrating how keeping his emotions in check is key to this.
Much like their work on Castlevania, Powerhouse Animation doesn't cut any corners on the quality of the series' look. The scenery is highly detailed and mysterious, making the viewer wonder what could be hidden behind the next set of trees or rock, while the monster details pay tribute to the movies. There's an anime-influenced quality to the animation that heightens the characterization and adds another layer of believability to the intense scenes. While the show doesn't get as bloody as a Jon Moxley wrestling match, there are still moments that will make the general audience squirm.
Skull Island succeeds in creating a show that isn't solely about Kong. While he -- and the rest of the monsters -- will be the main source of appeal here, the series creates a compelling cast of characters that viewers want to know more about and see how their journeys end. Fortunately, the show concludes on a cliffhanger that indicates there's more story to be told here.
Skull Island is streaming now on Netflix.