‘Kong: Skull Island’ brings the King of Apes back to glory

When Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures decided to bring back King Kong and build a monster cinematic universe where the giant ape would exist in the same world as Godzilla, many were excited yet skeptical at how that would be executed, even though it's been done before.

It’s safe to say that those fears can be cast aside, as “Kong: Skull Island” is a triumphant beast of a comeback for the “8th Wonder of the World” and is a unique setup to an inevitable confrontation between this fierce creature and The King of the Monsters.

Set during the Vietnam War era and way before the events of the 2014's “Godzilla,” “Kong: Skull Island” boasts an impressive cast led by Loki actor Tom Hiddleston, who stars as the reluctant hero hired by John Goodman's character to join an expedition to the titular location, where Kong lives.

Also starring Brie Larson as a photojournalist and Samuel L. Jackson as a Captain Ahab-style lieutenant colonel bent on hunting Kong down after losing his men to an attack, this film goes all out in re-establishing the huge primate as a force to be reckoned with.

The CGI and special effects allow for some pretty wonderful cinema magic. And for comedy relief, John C. Reilly plays a hilarious World War II veteran who was stranded on the island and has befriended the natives who honor Kong as a god and the king of the island.

Skull Island is a dangerous place, and audiences will enjoy watching monsters roam freely and hidden secrets get unraveled by man’s foolishness and desire to tap into the unknown.

"Kong: Skull Island" is a welcome reboot of one of cinema’s most enduring monster characters and reestablishes him as a primary force of nature to be reckoned with.

The building blocks of the “Monsterverse” are coming together: fans will want to see this not just for the story but for the threads that tie this film to Godzilla. This is a sure hit for anybody who enjoys action, the unknown, and things that blow up, and is even worth seeing in IMAX 3D just for the pure visuals.

Stay until the credits end for a teaser that sets up something big down the line. — BM, GMA News

"Kong: Skull" Island opens in theaters on March 9.