REVIEW: ‘Skull Island’ is a Stellar Addition to the Monsterverse

At this point, audiences know that adult animation from Powerhouse Animation will come out swinging. Now, in collaboration with Legendary Television and Netflix, Powerhouse has brought to life Skull Island, an animated series, not to be confused with film starring Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson. This eight-episode series expands the Legendary Pictures’ Monsterverse (which features Godzilla as well as Kong) by looking at the titular island through the eyes of a group of kids, ala Jurassic Park. The series takes viewers on a thrilling adventure as a group of explorers on an expedition rescue Annie (Mae Whitman) from the Pacific Ocean, unaware that their heroism will lead them to the treacherous Skull Island.

Filled with mystery, the island is home to bizarre creatures and terrifying monsters and is the domain of the mighty Kong too. Separated from the adults, Annie, Charlie (Nicolas Cantu), and Mike (Darren Barnet) try to survive the island and learn about their families and their connection to each other and the island in the process. all while a giant squid-like creature poses a threat to humans and creatures alike. A mixture of coming-of-age story, creature features, and all sci-fi, the series packs a punch.

Created, written, and executively produced by Brian Duffield, every minute of the series is a continuation of a decades-long legacy through expanding of lore. Similar to the work done by Tze Chun in Gremlins: Secrets of Mogwai, this series manages to balance nostalgia with a unique story that holds its own outside of the franchise while also contributing to it. To start, Skull Island’s titular location is lush, vibrant, and packed with creatures that we’ve seen before in the Monsterverse and new ones that are sure to become fan favorites. The care put into the landscapes, backgrounds, and overall environments showcase the love that the animators and other members of the creative team have for Kong’s lore and life.

All of that said, Skull Island is a stellar addition to the Monstervese because of its ability to balance the small moments against the towering spectacles. Powerhouse and team nail the grand moments of the series, the action, and the creatures. But they also never once miss a moment to deliver a character-driven story thanks to Brian Duffield’s writing. Marketed as a Jurassic Park-esque story but set in the Monsterverse, Duffield captures the awe that the original Amblen Entertainment films did from the perspective of a group of young teens and kids exploring the dangerous and beautiful island by themselves. In that exploration, the audience gets to see how this group of kids connect to each other, the adults in their life that should be there, and ultimately the creatures on the island.

While each character has depth, the best of them is Annie and her relationship with Dog. Annie was lost at sea, alone and without her mother (the series’ antagonist), and Dog saved her. An adorable creature with strength and power but a character design that still makes him a perfect big baby, Dog is a star of the series because of his emotional weight throughout the show. Here, the creature isn’t awesome because it can destroy things and fight, but because it can rescue and care. Dog is the connection to the island that all of the kids have, and how it grows when they finally encounter other people is fantastic.

Everything I’ve talked about up until this point in the review makes Skull Island a great first introduction to the Monsterverse and a great addition to the legacy of the Kong franchise for existing fans. Episode 7 is the love letter to King Kong that will have long-time fans excited and emotional. Without giving too much away, Episode 7 is dedicated to Kong, his relationship with the Spanish-speaking inhabitants of the island, and a flashback that sets the context on how Skull Island came to be the dangerous place that it is. Here, the audience gets to see Kong as a full character with relationships and a distinct agency. For those who love the way that kaiju have become more than just large monsters in popular media, this take on Kong is going to shine.

Skull Island is a fantastic entry into the Monsterverse canon and a welcoming entry point for a new generation. With a stellar voice cast, beautiful animation of land, creature, and character, and narrative choices that absolutely push adventure and connection, this is another hit for the Powerhouse roster.

Skull Island is streaming now exclusively on Netflix.