Kong: Skull Island is the new Hollywood blockbuster remake of the classic old black and white movie from the 1930s, which starred Canadian/American actress, Fay Wray. The new version was shot almost entirely in Vietnam in 2016 as a huge entourage of the silver screen, including stars Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson, poured into the north of the country. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts’ epic has picked up an impressive 82% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This remake is set in Vietnam as the war came to a conclusion. Scientists and journalist are making their way home accompanied by war-weary American troops. They make a detour and stumble across Industrial Light & Magic’s CGI star of the show, amid Vietnam’s stunning scenery.
The gloriously lush countryside of this wonderful country has never before reached a world audience on the scale of which is about to happen. It is lovingly captured and magnificently photographed by Larry Fong in Kong: Skull Island and one can but guess at the positive impact this will have on tourism. Halong Bay and Ninh Binh are shown in all their true glory.
Watch the trailer here
Kong: Skull Island goes Where Apocalypse Didn’t
Even the fabulous Francis Ford Coppola’s amazing war epic Apocalypse Now did not show the country as well as this. Whereas Coppola showed the exotic wilderness as war-torn and weary, Vogt-Roberts captures the true elegance and beauty of Vietnam’s rich tapestry.
A huge plus in the possible future advances of Vietnamese tourism is that unlike many remakes, this is one that the world cinema going audience has craved for years. It is an epic big monkey picture, one that has captured the imagination for nigh on a century. The US and UK public having given the making of Kong: Skull Island a massive thumbs up.
This could well be the biggest boost to tourism in Vietnam;s history. The timing is perfect. As Thailand’s military government do all in their power to put tourists off visiting the Land of Smiles, Vietnam is embracing foreign tourists and the dollars they bring. Let’s hope it is managed in a good way, and the special places that make Kong: Skull Island so special, remain so.
