Skull Island, a new animated TV series on Netflix, brings the straightforward and action-packed world of the Monsterverse to the small screen. Produced by Powerhouse Studios, known for their work on popular shows like Castlevania and Masters of the Universe: Revelation, the series has a distinct visual style reminiscent of the DC Animated Universe. Created by Brian Duffield, who is recognized for his work on movies such as Love and Monsters and Underwater, Skull Island promises to deliver an exciting and thrilling experience.
Skull Island chronicles the harrowing journey of a group of shipwrecked survivors who find themselves stranded on the treacherous island infested with monstrous creatures. Among the survivors are 17-year-old Charlie, his father Cap, and their friend Mike, who had embarked on a perilous quest to find a colossal sea beast in uncharted waters. Just moments before their ship crashes, they stumble upon Annie, a mysterious young woman who had recently escaped from a sunken vessel. Tragically, Annie is quickly ensnared by the tentacles of a sea monster. While Charlie and Mike brave the perils of the island, they soon discover that Annie has a deep connection to Skull Island, having grown up there. To their surprise, Annie's loyal four-legged companion named Dog emerges as their ultimate savior. Meanwhile, Cap finds himself in the company of a group of mercenaries whose mission is to transport Annie to the United States for undisclosed reasons. As both groups fight for survival, an enigmatic guardian of the island patiently awaits its moment to intervene.
The majority of Skull Island focuses on minor monster attacks and witty dialogue. Some of the monsters, like giant crabs and armored ants, cause trouble for the main characters briefly. The main attractions, however, are the sea monster, a massive bird, and the beloved King Kong. When Kong finally emerges from his well-decorated palace, the season's best moments unfold. The seventh episode, in particular, stands out as the strongest. Set entirely in flashback, it showcases some truly impressive kaiju action. Kong is a character that lends itself well to action scenes, and watching him defeat other monsters never gets boring. While it may not reach the same level of creativity as Castlevania, the thrilling moments in Skull Island make it a worthwhile watch. The seventh and eighth episodes are the highlights of the season, although there are enjoyable elements scattered throughout.
As a continuation of the Monsterverse, Skull Island effectively satisfies the cravings of fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. While it may not surpass the other offerings in the Monsterverse, it successfully maintains the excitement between films. The franchise is also expanding with a live-action series that follows the endeavors of an underground government organization responsible for monitoring kaiju activity. King Kong continues to captivate the world, and Skull Island offers a blend of generic young-adult-oriented adventure fiction with thrilling kaiju action. Although the pacing of the series could have been improved, the compelling King Kong scenes make it difficult to resist.
Skull Island is an entertaining series, although it leaves viewers hanging with a cliffhanger. The risk of leaving a storyline unresolved in the realm of Netflix streaming is significant. The Monsterverse will definitely continue, but it remains uncertain if this aspect will be a part of the franchise going forward. The series gives off a nostalgic vibe, as if it should have been released many years ago. Similar to the animated Godzilla series that followed the disappointing American movie or Jackie Chan Adventures, Skull Island is an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of its live-action counterpart. However, just like those examples, it surpasses expectations by delivering a solid performance. The show includes a number of standout scenes along with several above-average ones. Fans of King Kong will not be disappointed.