A review of Legendary Pictures’ newest film in the Monsterverse, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”
By: Austin Gonzales
BIRCH RUN – My Dad loved getting to share his fondness for his child nostalgia – especially giant monster movies. When I was just nine-years-old he took me to see Peter Jackson’s “King Kong.” Every Saturday night, we would stay up late to watch CBC air a Japanese monster movie. Rodan, Mothra, Gamera… but our favorite was Godzilla.
Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures bring us the latest installment in their giant monster universe of films, “Kong x Godzilla: The New Empire.” Starring the great ape himself, King Kong and the undisputed King of the Monsters, Godzilla, team up to take on a new threat from within the Hollow Earth. Also some humans are around, starring Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Kaylee Hottle and Dan Stevens.
For a film this gigantic, I made the trip from Bay City all the way out to the Birch Run Emagine movie theater. The megaplex was jam packed with giant monster enthusiasts ready to see some kaiju duke it out! Birch Run Emagine always provides a phenomenal theater experience. This location is decked out with movie memorabilia all around the main lobby, and classic posters cover the hallway.
“Godzilla x Kong” delivers a massive thrill ride from beginning to end upon Adam Wingard’s return to the director’s chair. The plot takes us to the Hollow Earth location first discovered in “Godzilla vs. Kong.” There, we follow up with our favorite giant monkey.
Kong has retired as protector of the Jurassic-like (Cretaceous? Help me out, Delta Dino Majors) world, longing to belong. Meanwhile, up on Earth’s surface, Godzilla reigns King of The Monsters™, killing every giant monster in his path.
The science organization, Monarch, has kept a close eye on both monsters. Monarch uncovers a strange signal emitting from Hollow Earth, which has suddenly driven Godzilla mad, consuming radioactive energy.
Understand any of that? Sorta? Perfect! “Kong x Godzilla!” is a love letter to the monster movies before, but it doesn’t alienate new viewers. Giving exactly what it promised to deliver: giant lizard and monkey mayhem. The human characters serve mostly to help further the plot for both Godzilla and King Kong, not taking too much time away from the real stars of the show.
The film’s fun kaiju chaos is in perfect complement to Toho Studios’ more serious and terrifying “Godzilla Minus One” that was released late last year. When it comes to giant monster movies, there is no limit to emotional horror or fun popcorn thrills lately.
Most importantly, I’m happy I got to see this movie with my mom at Emagine Birch Run, where, three years prior, I got to see the last movie I’d ever get to see with my father; our much anticipated, “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
