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These kaiju could really use some therapy. The latest from Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse is here with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Set after the events of Godzilla vs. Kong, the film features returning stars Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta), and Kaylee Hottle. Joining them are Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey), Rachel House (Thor: Ragnarok), Alex Ferns (Andor), and Fala Chen (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings). But, the real stars are Godzilla and Kong, the two titular Titans of the MonsterVerse.
The New Empire starts when a mysterious signal is picked up from the Hollow Earth, one that leads to an old power that only Kong and Godzilla can stop – if they work together. Dr. Andrews’ (Hall) adoptive daughter Jia (Hottle), can feel the signal too. Along with Bernie (Henry) and newcomer Trapper (Stevens), they journey to the Hollow Earth to find the signal and help Kong. The human story gets strange once they’re on their journey but the character dynamics keep it fresh.
Godzilla and Kong at Their Best
Unfortunately, Kong’s search for the signal leads him to an ambush, where other large (but smaller than him) apes ambush him. These apes are led by one meaner more vicious ape that they call Skar King. Along the way, Kong is accompanied by Mini-Kong, a scrappy smaller ape. The story is simply that simple because it needs to be. Don’t worry, there’s plenty more, including Kong getting an upgraded hand, some other kaiju, and Godzilla doing his best Goku impression, but we won’t go into too much detail lest we spoil some of the better surprises in the film.
I didn’t sit in the film with a timer, but it feels like most of The New Empire consists of scenes with the kaiju. If you complained about not seeing the Titans for most of the movie in previous films, you shouldn’t have that complaint here. The screen time – and our prior knowledge of the franchise – allows the audience to connect with the main kaiju emotionally. Whether it’s a conscious decision or not, we can’t help but be more invested in Godzilla and Kong because these are characters that have been around for decades.
Even though some of the human characters are well done, Godzilla x Kong manages to stay entertaining because the Titans are the main characters. The story of Dr. Andrews connecting with Jia is the main side story, but it’s a secondary plot line. It’s impactful for how much time the film spends on it, but the greater thing is that it isn’t overdone. We know how the human characters feel throughout the movie because they are used sparingly.
Beauty and the Beast
The story isn’t bad. It just has barely any depth, because it’s just there to set up some extremely entertaining and comedic fights, of which there are around a dozen. There are around five different kaiju that appear, some of which haven’t been revealed yet. The visual effects of all the fight scenes and the mass destruction of the world around the Titans are immaculate. But, what the effects team manages to nail is the somewhat human reactions some of the kaiju have, particularly with King Kong.
The most empathic reactions I had while watching The New Empire were for Kong. It’s also much more comedic than the other movies. There are one or two moments where you might be able to suspend your disbelief and think that their world might actually be ending. But, between Mini-Kong and the fantastic edition of Dan Stevens, you’ll find it hard not to laugh. Stevens is a breath of fresh air and a welcome addition to the franchise. He plays the madcap Titan veterinarian who walks the line of smarm and suave in a Hawaiian shirt, always accompanied by ’80s jams.
While the score by Junkie XL and Antonio Di Iorio works quite well, giving many of the action scenes their punch alongside the stellar sound design, the film’s licensed music gives it a spectacular energy. Featuring “The Twilight Zone” by Golden Earring, and “I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by KISS, there wasn’t a single misfire with the music. The creature designs are also phenomenal. Every Titan that comes onscreen looks visually distinct and adds to the overall atmosphere of awesomeness that The New Empire commits to.
The Good With the Bad
We need to discuss the whiplash that some might feel with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire releasing right after last year’s Academy Award-winning Godzilla Minus One. Minus One was lauded for being a return to form for a genuinely harrowing human story, while accurately presenting the scale and terror of a kaiju attack. That doesn’t describe The New Empire. While it rarely gets serious, Godzilla x Kong doesn’t apologize for what it is, an unabashedly fun kaiju film. You’re supposed to hate the teeth-snarling Skar King and cheer when Godzilla and King Kong eventually take him on.
The film opens with an amazing sequence where King Kong hunts for his dinner before the title card shows up. Each location is introduced, because where else but Cairo would we find those pyramids? There are some atrocious plot inconsistencies, science that is most likely fiction, and um… magic? But, unlike Godzilla or King of Monsters, the bonkers storyline isn’t being taken seriously. Everything is entertaining and popcorn-worthy and that’s just how it is. Who doesn’t want to see King Kong take out Godzilla with wrestling moves?
The MonsterVerse is rich with lore, and it flourishes in The New Empire. When a character returns, they return with reverence because it feels weirdly earned. It’s also beautifully paced, never staying with the humans or in certain battles for too long. You’ll feel every punch in the theater and you’ll never be bored during the 115-minute runtime. Although, no action scene manages to hit the high of last year’s Minus One, even if a few come close.
Final Thoughts on Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
What’s remarkable is that even though Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire mostly follows the kaiju, there’s still an empathic story there. Kong wants peace, and he wants a family. Godzilla roams the world and fights because he knows he’s gearing up for a fight, even if he doesn’t know who he’s fighting. Even the other apes are under the control of a punishing ruler. There’s plenty of great thematic exploration if you let yourself get sucked into the story of these kaiju, it’s just not too concerned with depth.
While The New Empire is tonally Minus One’s polar opposite, it commits to being a fun time and cements itself as one of the best movies in the MonsterVerse. The film is a vibrant spectacle that shows off the human world as a monster’s playground and the Hollow Earth as a visual feast. If you’re a fan of kaiju movies, run to the biggest and loudest screen you can to watch this film. I don’t know if it’ll hold up as well on a smaller screen.
You can watch Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire when it roars into theaters on March 29, 2024.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is a dumb fun visual spectacle, with good characters, lifelike kaiju, and a terrific soundtrack.
Pros
- Focusing on the kaiju keeps the film immensely entertaining.
- Terrific fight scenes that are visually fantastic.
- A brilliant soundtrack that makes you want to have fun.
Cons
- A weak story that serves to bring about the next fight scene.
- Godzilla is largely absent from the movie.
