GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (2024)
Sequel to Godzilla vs Kong opens a few years after Godzilla and Kong’s battle where the two earned each other’s respect and parted ways peacefully…for the time being. Kong now lives in the Hollow Earth and constantly searches for others like him, while being watched by Monarch and Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall). Kong unwittingly opens a chasm leading into a sealed-off section of the underground world, freeing the sinister Skar King and his simian slaves and soldiers. At the same time Godzilla begins to attack nuclear facilities and other titans, absorbing massive amounts of energy. It’s discovered that Jia’s (Kaylee Hottle) people the Iwi also live in that hidden part of the Hollow Earth and have sent a signal out alerting Godzilla to the coming threat. Now the only hope to defeat Skar King and his massive ice titan Shimo is if Kong and Godzilla can somehow coexist and fight together…unless they destroy each other first.
Sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong is again directed by Adam Wingard (The Guest, You’re Next) from a script by Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett and Jeremy Slater. It is a blast of colossal monster fun, that puts the monsters first and the people in supporting roles. It’s more on the level of some of the lighter Japanese flicks from the 60s and 70s like Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster and King Kong Escapes so anyone expecting the emotional resonance of the recent Godzilla Minus One will be sadly disappointed. If you are fine with some lighthearted comic book style adventure then this is a really fun time at the movies with some dazzling visual sequences and some rip-roaring monster battles, including the climactic showdown that rages from Hollow Earth to Rio de Janeiro, to Godzilla and Kong going at it once again among the pyramids of Egypt. The FX are top notch, the flick is loaded with critters familiar and new, and the human character sequences may be weak but do their job. The monsters are the stars, and the humans really only exist to give the exposition we can’t get from our titanic main characters. It’s a true popcorn movie and longtime Godzilla fans in particular should love the references and tone that harkens back to classic Toho. Wingard moves things along quickly, makes it colorful and action-packed and gives the film a sense of fun without making fun of his colossal subjects.
“Did we just become best friends?”
The director once again has assembled a good cast that may not have a lot to do but make their parts fun. Rebecca Hall is front and center returning as strong-willed Dr. Ilene Andrews. She’s a little tougher yet still capable of being a wide-eyed kid when seeing the new sights in Hollow Earth. She is also trying hard to be mom towards Jia who shares Kong’s loneliness of being the last of her kind…or so she thinks. As Jia, Kaylee Hottle has a larger and more important role here and handles it very well. She finds not only her people but a heritage linking her to another classic Toho creature that works really well and establishes a bond that could be important moving forward. Brian Tyree Henry is again fun as podcaster Bernie. Now he gets to travel to uncharted territory in the Hollow Earth. New to the team is Dan Stevens as eccentric titan dentist Trapper. He is charming and a lot of fun as he accompanies Andrews and Jia in following Kong into this new realm. Kong is once again presented as a noble hero now finally finding his own kind who are enslaved by the tyrannical Skar King. Kong bravely goes topside to try to convince Godzilla to fight along with him despite knowing he’s still not the King of the Monsters’ favorite kaiju. Godzilla is not a bad guy at all here but is portrayed as ruthless when motivated and not exactly concerned with mankind when he is maintaining monster order. Skar King and Shimo are quite formidable but one wishes they were introduced a little sooner to help solidify their menace. Finally, there is simian child Suko who is a fun and brave little guy that bonds with Kong. There is also a wonderful appearance by another familiar face from Toho, but you’ll have to see the film to find out!
Overall, those expecting a monster flick with the story depth of the recent Godzilla Minus One will be disappointed. Those going in expecting a monster throwdown of epic portions, will be very entertained. Once again, Wingard and company deliver big time. The action is fast and furious with human characters definitely taking a back seat to the monsters and the massive brawls when titans meet. The visuals, especially in Hollow Earth, are stunning and the critter battles are as brutal and intense as last time. Adam Wingard delivers another wonderfully entertaining, popcorn flick that might be the most fun entry in the Legendary Monsterverse so far and simply a blast of a good time at the movies.
-MonsterZero NJ
Rated 3 and 1/2 (out of 4) Godzillas
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MonsterZero NJ's Movie Madhouse 
