Ridiculously entertaining, this latest entry in Legendary's Monsterverse is a popcorn crowd pleaser that unites Godzilla and Kong against a slew of ancient enemies. A breathless fantasy that channels the cheerful lunacy of Shōwa era Godzilla, via Hanna-Barbera and Edgar Rice Burroughs, it's positively Kongkers!
Set three years after their epic showdown with Mechagodzilla (Godzilla Vs Kong), our titular titans enjoy an uneasy truce, engineered by Monarch. Godzilla maintains order on the surface world, where he treats the Colosseum in Rome like a huge cat basket in between bouts, while Kong has been relocated inside the Hollow Earth, where he's been promised distant relatives live.
Godzilla maintains order on the surface world, where he treats the Colosseum in Rome like a huge cat basket in between bouts...
When we first see him, he's an unhappy ape, bothered by both local predators and a throbbing toothache. If you've ever wanted to witness monster dentistry, you're in the right place.
This status quo is rocked by a mysterious signal. Monster wrangler Ilene Andrews recruits kaiju podcaster Bernie Hayes, and sets off to uncover the source in a subterranean world ruled by an altogether less charismatic simian, the Skar King.
This is a retina-searing romp that demands to be seen on the largest premium screen you can find. Director Adam Wingard helms with admirable chutzpah, and the score by Tom Holkenborg is fittingly bombastic. The visual effects work is spectacular.
Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle and Brian Tyree Henry reprise their roles from Godzilla vs. Kong, providing expository dialogue and word balloons for the real stars of the show, with additional help provided by Dan Stevens, Alex Ferns and Fala Chen.
The action sequences are consistently inventive, a terrific job by director of photography Ben Seresin and production designer Tom Hammock. The chaos is extremely well choreographed, and never gets boring.
We rate Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire as a family-friendly film, albeit one with a high volume soundtrack which may disturb younger viewers.
Godzilla x Kong = London
To celebrate the film's release, a larger-than-life promotional stunt was executed on London's South Bank. Giant sculptures of Godzilla and Kong emerged from the River Thames and Southbank.
Godzilla's pulsating pink spikes, could be seen poking up from the river Thames, while Kong's giant hand, crushed an iconic London red phone box on Southbank. Created with admirable detail and interactive lighting, these sculptures brought the magic of the Monsterverse to life in spectacular fashion.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is directed by Adam Wingard, and stars Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle, Brian Tyree Henry and Dan Stevens. Rated 12A, 115 minutes.
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