A classic movie monster is arguably better portrayed in a film from two decades ago than in the newer MonsterVerse series. The MonsterVerse, created by Legendary and Warner Bros. and based on characters from Toho Co., Ltd., now includes five movies and a popular Apple TV+ show called Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Despite its success, the franchise has faced criticism for how it depicts some of cinema’s most famous monsters.
The MonsterVerse began in 2014 with Godzilla, offering a more realistic and gritty take on the classic monster than previous films. Kong: Skull Island (2017) and Godzilla, King of the Monsters (2019) continued this trend. However, after Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire brought the two titans together, the series became increasingly over-the-top. The next installment, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, promises even more fantastical elements, which may reignite criticism of how Kong is portrayed.
MonsterVerse’s Kong Has Been Criticized in the Years Since His 2017 Debut
Jordan Vogt-Roberts gave Kong a fresh take in 2017 with Kong: Skull Island, the second film in the MonsterVerse series. The story of King Kong, who first appeared in 1933, has been told many times, usually involving his capture on Skull Island and a destructive journey to New York City, culminating in his death atop the Empire State Building. While this classic story is well-known and carries themes of animal welfare and protecting the environment, Kong: Skull Island offered a completely different approach.
In Kong: Skull Island, the organization Monarch ventured to Skull Island in the 1970s to research Kong and other colossal creatures. This film introduced Kong as one of the Titans – a group of giant monsters featured in the MonsterVerse – and replaced traditional dinosaurs with the fearsome Skullcrawlers. It also moved away from the usual romantic elements of Kong stories, creating a more realistic adventure. Kong: Skull Island was a big hit with both audiences and critics, earning $568.7 million worldwide on a $185 million budget. However, Kong hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success in the eight years that have followed.
As a huge fan of monster movies, I’ve been a little disappointed with where the MonsterVerse has taken Kong. They’ve focused so much on making him this regal, powerful Titan with a destiny, rather than the raw, untamed beast he originally was on Skull Island. He’s gotten these over-the-top abilities and almost feels too human, and honestly, pairing him with Godzilla just hasn’t been as compelling as seeing him interact with actual human characters who could grow and change. I’m not holding my breath for the new movie, Supernova, to fix things, but if you want to see a truly great Kong on the big screen, you absolutely have to check out Peter Jackson’s version from 20 years ago – it’s still the best.
2005’s King Kong Has the Best Movie Version of the Giant Monster
The Kong we see in the recent MonsterVerse films is known for big action and incredible powers, but many still prefer the version from Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong. That film was a nearly scene-for-scene remake of the original 1933 story, but it used groundbreaking visual effects and a massive $207 million budget – the most ever spent on a movie at the time. The story follows an expedition to Skull Island, where King Kong is captured and taken to New York City as an attraction, ultimately meeting his end on top of the Empire State Building.
As a huge fan, I still think Peter Jackson’s King Kong is amazing! The cast was incredible – Adrien Brody, Jack Black, Thomas Kretschmann, Jamie Bell, and of course, Andy Serkis as Kong and Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow. What really got to me was how real they made Kong. They didn’t try to make him too human, but instead focused on making him a believable, intelligent, and protective gorilla. Honestly, even with the newer MonsterVerse films, I still prefer this version of Kong, which first came out 20 years ago on December 14, 2005. It just feels more grounded and impactful.
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2025-12-14 18:40