Giant monsters (or Titans) collide in the latest and fourth MonsterVerse installment Godzilla vs. Kong, a cinematic face off between the two iconic movie monsters, in big spectacular, thrill-inducing fashion.
Set after the events of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla has asserted his dominance over the monsters of the world, prompting him to come after Kong as bound by an ancient and mythological rivalry. As they are driven towards a showdown, the human scientists at the zoological agency Monarch investigate a mystery that may threaten the ecosystem of the Titans, and endanger humanity as a whole in the process.
Lacking the restrained approach and subtlety of Godzilla (2014), or the tension of Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla vs. Kong springs forth and drops the viewer right in the midst of all the action. The script has an underlying sense of urgency, which contributes to its fast pace.
Leaning into more science fiction territory, the film benefits from director Adam Wingard’s keen visual eye, as he serves up vibrantly hued landscapes and neon soaked skylines, that not only gives the film a distinct look, but allows the viewer to actually see the monster battles and absorb them properly, an element that was missing in the previous Godzilla films.
Wingard additionally avoids repeating the mistakes of its predecessor Godzilla: King of the Monsters by showcasing a heavily streamlined plot, that does not stray away the focus to unnecessary human subplots that hamper the flow of the story. Wingard acknowledges and embraces the ridiculousness of the film’s premise and ensures the film does not take itself seriously.
However, this leaves a lot to be desired by some viewers who might have wished to see certain character arcs, motivations and relationships deepened or expanded upon. This, more often than not, ends up feeling as if the film has wasted the talent of the actors involved and the potential of the characters they portray.
Nevertheless, the film boasts of two incredible performances in the form of debutante Kaylee Hottle as a mute and hearing impaired girl who forms a fascinating and heartwarming bond with Kong, and Brian Tyree Henry who (in a welcome change for the series) headlines a majority of the film’s hilarious scenes and moments of levity.
The plot is fairly simple and predictable, but the movie tries its best to keep things mysterious and interesting, featuring two separate yet interspersed story lines centered around the two titular monsters.
The best thing Godzilla vs. Kong has going for it is the promise of the battle between the two gigantic Titans (as the main audience attraction), and on that front, the film does not disappoint and promptly delivers. The film showcases the monsters dueling it out in all their earth-shattering glory, jumping from one action set piece to another, yet keeping things fresh and interesting, with innovative fight sequences that will leave you smiling gleefully from end to end.
The visual effects, the sound mixing and sound design are top-notch as always, and are complimented by Wingard’s visual sense and indie film making roots, where he presents the monsters not only as mythic behemoths, but also as creatures capable of emotion.
Singing the composer’s praises for the second review in a row (as he is slowly becoming one of my favorites), Tom Holkenborg’s score greatly captures the thrill, horror and the enormous nature of these beasts, while continuously experimenting in his own craft.
Godzilla vs. Kong was marked by my return to the big screen after over more than a year since the pandemic hit, and it definitely was a welcome and memorable one. The film is neither a time consuming nor mentally exhausting affair, and is endlessly entertaining and gratifying, that honors the legacy of these classic movie monsters in a glorious manner.
Texts of A Pop Culture Buff 