SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne takes a look at the latest installment in the MonsterVerse in his Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire review.
For decades, Godzilla and King Kong ran on parallel tracks, finally meeting in the 1962 film King Kong vs. Godzilla. The current MonsterVerse began in 2014 with the release of Godzilla, followed by Kong: Skull Island (2017) and Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). The two finally clashed in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) before teaming up to defeat Mechagodzilla.
Now the two are back in the latest installment in the MonsterVerse. Starring Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, and Fala Chen, and directed by Adam Wingard, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire sees Godzilla and Kong living in separate quarters as the prior makes his home on the surface while the latter makes his abode in Hollow Earth. But the two don’t stay separated for long with a mysterious new threat lurking. The film finds our cast and titans venturing into uncharted territory (literally) and making bold new discoveries. In the end, Godzilla and Kong are forced to team up once again to fight a new enemy that threatens life on the surface and Hollow Earth.
If you’re new to the Godzilla and Kong films, you might be expecting a lot of CGI and epic fight scenes with little substance, but the graphics, action and fight sequences in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire are matched with an equally compelling story. Shoot. On paper, this is one of the most iconic pairings in the history of cinema.
The arc from the 2014 film to the current installment is well executed, especially for Kong. While Godzilla is presented as nothing more than a large atomic energy breathing lizard, Kong continues to be humanized, revealing growth, a big heart and a range of emotions, as well as a desire for a sense of belonging.
As expected, the graphics, cinematography, and fight sequences are top tier. As we’re taken into never before seen areas of Hollow Earth, we’re treated to lush and beautiful landscapes. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few dull moments. The film seems a bit slow and directionless in the beginning, but it does picks up as we learn about this new threat that has Godzilla on a Rocky-esque preparation for the big fight.
The film could’ve also done a better job of raising the stakes. Although the long-armed and deformed Skar King is grotesque, after the long build up, he fails to present himself as a menacing and formidable opponent for Kong and Godzilla and as a threat to humanity.
Still, as mentioned earlier, the storytelling is well done as Godzilla and Kong learn to trust each other, and as Kong becomes the leader he was born to be. Although there’s talk about where the creators could take the franchise next, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire seems like a suitable conclusion, providing some closure to viewers (although it seems unimaginable for the Hollywood powers that be to let this franchise die).
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire isn’t an absolute must-see, but the story, continued growth of the Kong character, performances from Kaylee Hottle, Rebecca Hall, and Brian Tyree Henry (in his comedic and deer-eyed portrayal of Bernie Hayes), and the breathtaking imagery still make this one of the more entertaining films of 2024 so far.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 310 international voters for the 81st Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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