Oh the remake is unquestionably the better movie.
The effects are obviously better than the original, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. I don't care what anyone says, I'm not a huge supporter of excessive CGI, but this CGI is brilliant and awe-inspiring, it brings the movie to life.
It has better cinematography, Skull Island now feels like a gloomy and foreboding place. It has better acting. Kong actually looks like a 25ft gorilla and the effort into making him was tremendous (including the skills of Andy Serkis studying gorilla movement). I liked the tender Kong/Anne moments whereas in the original she was scared of him. I liked how once she tamed him, he became her guardian on the Island. There's some powerful moments such as Kong and Anne on the frozen lake and Anne desparetely trying to save Kong atop the Empire State Building.
There's better moments that are gripping and exhilirating, including the dino stampede, the T-rex vs. Kong battle in the vines which is impressively realised. The insect pit that was cut and lost from the original has been re-created in specatacular and creepy glory.
Let's just say this. If you want top awesome, un-faulted, flawless entertainment, watch the new version. If you want to appear 'smart' and falsely feel you have superior taste in movies because you like the old 'classics' watch the original. But you can bet money you won't have as good a time than with the remake...
