Tag Teaming- Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire [2024]

From the off, there was a feeling that this was something different. With the opening and the titles sequence, there is a sense this is heading for something different from everything else that has come before, particularly over the last four MonsterVerse movies, which also gives this a lot to live up to.

It also says something that returning director Adam Wingard appears to have more control over his movie while keeping in line with the overall mythology, particulalry with that tribe, the Iwi, that was on Skull Island from which Jia (Kaylee Hottle) comes from. Gone are the dual plotlines in favour of a romp with intersecting stories revolving around single plot: the rise of an ancient terror.

But first, we catch up with a markedly aged Kong whose beard has grown, his fur has greyed, and he’s having dental problems. The latter a reason to introduce the world’s oddest vet called Trapper (Dan Stevens), rocking a Hawaiian shirt and an interesting philosophy on life. In a way, he’s a counterpoint to the returning not-quite-conspiracy-theorist podcaster Bernie (Brian Tyree Henry) who is pulled into the shenanigans by Ilene (Rebecca Hall) trying to figure out what’s going on with her adopted daughter, Jia.

While the humans are helping and investigating Kong’s actions – which includes exploring the Hollow Earth for any traces of his species, Monarch is also tracking a suddenly active Godzilla on a world tour, and it’s forcing an evolution in itself. We find out why on the human side of the story. All this is to say the movie heads for that ultimate rematch as the common enemy turns up (it’s in the trailers).

So, aside from Ilene, Jia, and Bernie, none of the other characters return, which is fine as Millie Bobby Brown is busy fighting dragons.

It’s also to say that while there is a human story, we’re really here for the Kaiju blow-out with a formidable giant ape, Skar-King, being quite the ‘bad guy’. You know the type… that villain out for world domination with all the trappings (a slave army, henchmen, etc) that would require a team-up to take down.

It was quite fun and had its funny moments, but I felt guilty at laughing at a few of the jokes when no one else seemed to pick up on. An audience of mostly kids did not really seem to be wholly aware of what was going on. Zero exclamations of awe. (Kids these days… they probably never saw the previous instalments and weren’t as invested in the ongoing back-story.)

Still Dan Stevens brings an easy rapport with the returning cast (also reuniting with his The Guest (2014) director), providing the light-hearted touch while carrying the new viewer perspective in a way. Kaylee Hottle steps up as well to bring the emotional heft alongside Rebecca Hall, although some may find that disputable. The rest of it really falls on the effects work (primarily led by Legacy, Weta, and DNEG, along with a few other companies) to bring to life the Hollow Earth, the creatures and the brawls.

While the effects do the job, Godzilla’s movements seem far more flexible and agile. That running Godzilla – also in the trailer – looks really odd to me. Overly ‘human’ perhaps, but also, we hardly ever see it run. Still, at least Kong still looks pretty good and has a few really good ‘dramatic’ scenes.

I have a feeling this one may have some divisive criticism, somewhat pandering to the fans looking for that big brawl while skimping a little on the human story front. Also, this is more of a Kong story than a Godzilla flick even tho the lizard gets top billing in the title. For that, it gets that extra 1/2 from me.