Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire sees the titular characters teaming up to fight against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. Delving deeper into the histories of these Titans, their origins, and the mysteries of Skull Island, the film uncovers the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to mankind forever.
Embracing the fact that there’s a great subset of moviegoers who love to see monsters fight each other,Godzilla x Kong delivers all the high-octane action that audiences have come to expect from films of the Monsterverse. However, if you’re looking for something beyond the mesmerising visuals and monster-on-monster violence, those seeking for a more nuanced plot might find themselves wanting more.
Deeply hampered by pacing issues, Godzilla x Kong can be a bit of a bore as the first two-thirds are packed with expository dialogue, uninteresting characters (the human characters, mostly), and an incoherent plot. Unlike Godzilla vs. Kong, the latest installment in the MonsterVerse doesn’t feel as epic, exploratory, or exciting. By replicating its predecessor without much of its charm, the sequel comes across as an uninspired and repetitive effort in the franchise.
While the human characters remain uninteresting to watch, the film progresses Kong’s character development in a satisfying way. In fact, Kong takes the centre stage as much of the film’s momentum rests on his shoulders, while Godzilla takes a bit of a backseat. Although, it doesn’t seem like the King of the Monsters will be complaining any time soon considering its recent win at the Oscars. Godzilla x Kong keeps its audience waiting excruciatingly long for the final showdown — but when the Titans collide, it delivers the thrills.
Although Godzilla x Kong is extremely thin on its narrative, the visual spectacles and continued development of Kong’s character still render the film a decent watch. While moviegoers are more likely to fault the film for its lack of reinvention, fans who merely want to see monsters fighting each other will undoubtedly have a fun time. Fully aware of the absurdity of its premise, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire knows what kind of movie it is.
