“Kong: Skull Island” (PG-13)

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts brings out the best in the beast in “Kong: Skull Island,” an insanely entertaining update featuring the legendary movie monster.

While the film has its share of flaws, it doesn’t matter: “Kong” is summer popcorn movie that happens to have a March release date. With lots of bone-crushing action, explosions, mayhem, a great cast and an incredibly realistic rendering of King Kong, the movie franchise suddenly has a vibrant new life.

Set in 1973 after the end of the Vietnam War, the great thing about “Kong: Skull Island” is that it’s not a remake of “King Kong.” The action takes place almost entirely on Skull Island, and there’s no transporting Kong back to New York City to be put on display.

Here, Kong remains in his natural habitat in a virtually inaccessible island in the South Pacific, and he doesn’t like it when a secret government exploration team with a military escort invades his space. The problem, as the humans come to discover, is that Kong isn’t the only creature on the island, giving the movie an intense “King Kong” meets “Jurassic World” feel.

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While the star of “Kong ” is the title character, the film’s cast doesn’t entirely get lots in the island madness. While Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, John Goodman, Corey Hawkins, Toby Kebbell and Samuel L. Jackson all fit the bill, the actor who steals the show is John C. Reilly as a pilot stranded on island for almost 30 years. From the very first time Reilly pops on the big screen with long, frizzy beard and looking like a madman, Reilly is a hoot.

Make sure to stick around for an after-credits scene, which sets up more “Kong” adventures. All told, “Kong: Skull Island” is a roarin’ good time.

Lammometer: 7.5 (out of 10)

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