Skull Island

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Skull Island

Creator: Brian Duffield

Streaming Service: Netflix

Release Date: June 2023

Production Company: JP, Legendary Television, Powerhouse Animation Studios

Format: TV Show

Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy

Awards: None

Rating: TV-14 (Netflix)

Run Time: About 25 Minutes

Show Summary:

Mike and Charlie's dads spend their lives searching for creatures and monsters around the world. But Charlie wishes he could have a life like a normal teenage boy and go to college. All of a sudden Charlie spots a girl, Annie, overboard. After pulling her onto their ship they soon find out that she is being chased. To make matters crazier the Kraken appears and attacks the ship, leading to the remainder of the crew washing up upon Skull Island.

On Skull Island the crew soon realize that they are not alone in more ways than one. Skull Island is the home of countless indescribable creatures and cryptids who seem to threaten all who walk the island. How will the crew find their way and what will they discover on this mysterious island.

Creator Background:

Brian Duffield is a screenwriter and producer also known for No One Will Save You, Spontaneous, and Cocaine Bear. His favorite monsterverse movie is Godzilla vs. Kong which explains his decision to create Skull Island.

Critical Evaluation:

Let me start off by saying that unlike Brian Duffield I am not the biggest fan of the King Kong monsterverse. When I realized this fun looking American animated show was based actually on the skull island in the king kong storyline I became a bit disappointed. However, as I continued to watch I couldn't stop but be lured in by the contagious friendship and banter between Mike and Charlie. I need to be the third musketeer, move over Annie! Watching Skull Island, I am overcome with early teen tv nostalgia, reminding me of shows like Scooby Doo, Total Drama Island, and The Last Airbender. I think that this show despite it being action packed is a comfort watch for teens. There is something to be said about being able to watch something after a had day and not worrying it will impact your emotional well being in anyway!

Creative Use for Library Program:

Monster Contest- Teens enter a contest to design a monster either by drawing, painting, sculpting, animating, or 3D printing their own unique monster. Most original and creative monster artist wins a shipwrecked survival kit full of snacks and other fun stuff.

Speed Round Trailer:

Take a trip to Skull Island, you'll discover more than just King Kong. Join Mike, Charlie, and Annie as they traverse the island and defend themselves against unusual monsters. Oh you don't want to... too bad, you're shipwrecked.

Potential Challenge Issue and Defense Preparation:

The first three episodes seem very acceptable and fitting with a teen audience. I would be surprised to hear any challenges regarding Skull Island. So far there has been some death however it does not seem excessively gruesome and there has been foreshadowing to a gay primary character. However none of these elements warrant any challenge.

Reason for Inclusion:

I picked Skull Island because I felt like this would appeal to some teen boys. This show could be an introduction to anime (even if it is American) for teens leading them to discover a genre of media they might not have previously been interested in. I also can never turn down anything about cryptids.

Check Out:

Some Fun Fan Art Powerhouse Animation Studios Posted on X!

References:

Brodsky, V. (2023, June). Skull Island Fan Art [Post]. @powerhouseanim. X. https://x.com/powerhouseanim/status/1674840324139515914

Duufield, B. (n.d.). Your Spontaneous Screenwriter. Accessed June 2024 from https://brianduffield.com/

IMDb. (n.d.). Brian Duffield. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3929259/

IMDb. (n.d.). Skull Island. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13929756/?ref_=ttco_ov

Netflix. (n.d.). Skull Island. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.netflix.com/title/81312426

Netflix. (2023, June). Skull Island | Official Trailer | Netflix [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/AzVEn9C0Ndw?feature=shared

Soto, S. (2023, September). Director Brian Duffield Talks ‘No One Will Save You’ and Character-Driven Stories [Photo}. Nerds of Color. https://thenerdsofcolor.org/2023/09/22/director-brian-duffield-talks-no-one-will-save-you-and-character-driven-stories/

@pichikui. (2023, July). Skull Island Fan Art [Post]. @powerhouseanim. X. https://x.com/powerhouseanim/status/1682390113148366849