A sequel to “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021) and the fifth installment in the MonsterVerse franchise, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” brings us more of their epic battle. Our JP reviews the latest installment.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Warner Bros. Pictures
- Directed by Adam Wingard
- Screenplay by Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, Jeremy Slater
- Story by Terry Rossio, Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett
- Based on Godzilla and Mothra by Toho Co., Ltd.
- Produced by Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Brian Rogers, Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric McLeod
- Starring Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, Fala Chen
Studio Synopsis:
The epic battle continues! Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of ”Godzilla vs. Kong” with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” delves further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond.
JP’s Take:
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” promises nothing short of epic clashes and immense destruction.
From the beginning, it was evident that this battle would be a chaotic spectacle of monumental proportions. However, unlike other monster showdowns, this movie embraces its nature without any pretense, and surprisingly, it did not disappoint. It embodies the essence of classic popcorn flicks with a nostalgic ’80s vibe, allowing viewers to simply revel in the grandeur without overanalyzing the plot.
Set in the aftermath of “Godzilla vs Kong” (2021), the story revolves around Jia (Kaylee Hottle), a young deaf native girl who shares a profound connection with Kong. Her journey becomes the catalyst for a series of events that pit both Kong and Godzilla against a multitude of new adversaries. This iteration of the franchise delves deeper into the main characters, and draw you in with the allure of a 300-foot CGIed ape who exhibits a range of emotions.
Kong’s emotional expressiveness has been heightened, allowing him to convey pain, sorrow, and even humor. Godzilla on the other hand… not so much. This aspect of the Kong character aligns perfectly with his narrative as he navigates his new home in hollow Earth while yearning for his kin. Believing himself to be the last of his species, Kong embarks on an extensive search within his territory, only to discover that he is not alone. He encounters his enslaved kind, held captive by a merciless human/ape hybrid, who proves to be a formidable foe.
As the story unfolds, the human cast provides context and comic relief, while the more dramatic moments are reserved for Godzilla and Kong as they gather allies to combat this new threat. And when the battle sequences come, you can bet you’ll be in for a battle royale, with a little help from a third famed creature, Mothra.
Along with Hottle, Rebecca Hall (as as Dr. Ilene Andrews) and Brian Tyree Henry (Bernie Hayes) reprised their roles from “Godzilla vs Kong.” New cast members include Dan Stevens as Trapper, Alex Ferns as Mikael, Fala Chen as Iwi Queen, Rachel House as Hampton, Ron Smyck as Harris, Chantelle Jamiesson as Jayne, Greg Hatton as Lewis, Kevin Copeland as Submarine Commander, Tess Dobré as Submarine Officer, and Anthony Brandon Wong as Talk Show Announcer.
Those anticipating an emotional or deep experience from “Godzilla x Kong” may find themselves better suited to watch “Godzilla Minus One” instead. This is a flick designed to pummel viewers with a barrage of intense action scenes, rather than delving into complex themes or eliciting tears … and it does so quite loudly as well.
So, if you’re just in the mood for a creature feature with nothing to lose, then you’ll be satisfied with this beastly pageant. Even a creature feature nut like me couldn’t resist such nonsensical mayhem.
Official Site: Godzilla x Kong
