Shang-Chi and the Legend Of the Ten Rings Review

Shang-Chi and the Legend Of the Ten Rings

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Cast Headliners: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Meng'er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Michelle Yeoh, surprises
Original Release Date : September 3rd, 2021 Theatrical-Only until Disney + Later

  It feels like a long time since the Marvel MCU got an entirely NEW hero. Sure we had Captain Marvel in 2019 and Black Panther in 2018 both special in their own ways but their iconic nature was well known / foreshadowed / previously introduced. It really then is since 2015's Ant-Man since we have met someone entirely new and fresh. This absence makes Shang-Chi and the Legend Of The Ten Rings so welcome and the good news is that it's perhaps the best thing of 'Phase 4” to date in its triumphant return to the theatrical-only big screens.

There's various flashbacks to times ancient and less-so but primarily like so many Phase 4 MCU products this takes place sometime shortly after the events of Infinity War / Endgame in a new corner of San Francisco. “Shaun” / Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) lives a simple life of  a valet driver by day with his will-they, won't-they high school friend / potential love Katy (Awkwafina). Their lives are soon interrupted in an incredible bus-set action sequence by evil minions of the 10 Rings organization (they of Iron Man 1 and 3!) triggering an epic fantastical quest across the states, world, and far beyond. 

Because it turns out Shang is something far more than he a simple 20something. He's heir to the very same criminal empire hunting him which makes for a fascinating plot and premise. His own father Wenwu / “The Real Mandarin” (Tony Leung) after the Stark years were posers in-lore: sorry Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley although there's an amazing film top highlight must-be-seen surprise relating to the later) has left Shang and his estranged sister Xialing (Meng'er Zhang) behind but now wants to take them back by force to unlock secrets of the long lost dimension of Ta Lo for evil yet tragically personal reasons.

As with most Marvel superhero (although this often pushes that definition of genre feel into something freshly new) films a highlight is the warm humor of the core cast.  More on this in a bit but aside being fiercely capable in combat Liu's Shang-Chi is a charming and fun lead. He brings to the performance a bit of that classic “everyman” take with a dual role of a haunted feels-laced past. His banter is especially great with Awkwafina's Katy. Katy brings some of the most laughs being even moreso the common view of the film with some great sassy comeback and unique perspective.  Meng'er Zhang's role in the plot takes a while to appear but she is just as cool and confident as her brother with some slight quips mixed in. Other late-game allies like Ying Nan (Michelle Yeoh) and even briefly wizard MCU alumni Wong (Benedict Wong) aside others add to the fun crew dynamic that's going on.

What is a hero without their villains and in that Wenwu is an absolute highlight. The very best villains are dense and with such accuracy to say that Leung brings his a-game in the performance. The seemingly ageless, thousand-year old Wenwu is fearsome with his titular ten-rings magical artifacts letting him brutal magic in combat and that's not entirely without some fun quips himself. The best villains have a mix of an evil plan and a sympathetic angle that brings some emotional feels to what's going on so Wenwu strongly delivers on that as his quest relates to the death  of the siblings' mother Jiang Li(Fala Chen).  By all account he's an iconic evil overlord for the record books. Unfortunately as cool as they may appear more henchman level foes like Razorfist (Florian Munteanu) and Death Dealer (Andy Le) serve better as obstacles in action set pieces than dialogue drivers trending towards generic however that's just how martial arts flicks can go.

Possibly more than anything that point is what is the great part of Shang-Chi: the action!! Director Destin Daniel Cretton (an Asian-American which is great for a movie so important for its representation within superhero cinema) brings to life some exhilarating sequences. The movie brings two forms of great martial arts / kung-fu hi-jinx unique amongst all others on the big screen so far. There's gritty, Bruce Lee style frenetic kinetic action such as the bus sequences and others on earth. Then there's parts that should not be spoiled (aside some beautiful trailer glimpses) of more “wuxia” high-fantasy style influences that are perhaps more epic than anything else in the MCU to date they of supernatural elements, creatures , and more. Perhaps it's CGI overload at times and it keeps going and going and going but the climax is something surprisingly wild. Music by composer Joel P.West and many licensed / original pop and rap songs add to the unique ambiance. 

This is a really strong debut and a gem of Phase 4 so far. It may be a bit long and suffer from usual Act 3 CGI fireworks / other minor character flaws but the journey, laughs, and action are worth it. Marvel has once again brought an obscure comic character into mainstream blockbuster excellence in a distinctly new way which one should be glad for. Now one can't wait to see where these characters go next...make sure to stay through both credits scenes!  8.3 out of 10 

The Suicide Squad Review

The Suicide Squad

Director: James Gunn
Cast Headliners: Idris Elba, Margot Robbie, John Cena, Sylvester Stallone, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Peter Capaldi, David Demastachlian, many many amazing more  
Original Release Date : August 6th, 2021 (Theatrical and for-now-free on HBO Max digital certain tiers)


       The Suicide Squad is such an incredibly interesting combination of histories in its mix of the old DCEU, the new DCEU, and even...the Marvel MCU?  The 2016 original was an underwhelming, overly edgy film that notably actually marked the very first major non-Batman / Superman film for DC Comics. It's ambitions to cram a multitude of villains together sounded great on paper but was dragged down by the cheese. The DCEU too has had new installments and sequels which have varied in quality and tone. Lastly , James Gunn within the past few years was temporarily fired by his employer for behind the scenes drama which heavily delayed Guardians of The Galaxy but also gave us the idea for this. We have a win-win for that to deal with later but most importantly this nexus of happenings has created an R-Rated Gunn Dream fans will love. 

While there are a few returning characters from the first movie and a same general concept The Suicide Squad may as well be a reboot (yet also due to some of those could have fit a number 2 on the logo as well). Mysterious government agent Amanda Waller(Violas Davis just as fearsome / morally vile-y gray as ever) offers super-powered villainous criminals a chance to be out of prison as part of the titular Suicide Squad.  Multiple teams are called to the South American (or potentially Caribbean) fictitious island nation of Corto Maltese to stop a violent coup and potentially get involved in other shenanigans along the way. 

It's an understandably large cast spread across not just one but two teams of agents. Clown princess of crime Harley Quinn(Margot Robbie) draws the main connective threads to the past DCEU (especially after her character growth seen in 2020's Birds Of Prey) but for some moderate parts of the film takes a backseat / her own path; Robbie is as entertainingly perfect as ever with sassy lines and stand-out action. Unfortunately for being more of what audiences would want it's contrasted in that the other returners in army colonel leader Rick Flagg (Joel Kinnaman) and even moreso in is-what-he-sounds-like “Captain Boomerang” (Jai Courtney) not doing much at all. 

The amazing thing is that the new characters are so worthy of the legends. As a bit of the new team leader and deutragonist is Robert DuBois / “Bloodsport” (Idris Elba) who's awesome armored exoskeleton / suite of nano-weapons would make Boba Fett and the Mandalorian proud. Elba brings a nice mix of mostly fierceness and funny quips with bits of emotion / some surprising insecurities. He's especially best pitted in banter against the film's equally memorable Christopher Smith / “Peacemaker” (John Cena) being one of the roles of the latter's career with an ironic name and peculiar personality. 

Of course director James Gunn's oddness is great here because it's what he did in Guardians of the Galaxy by helping with the story / script so deeply like all good directors do. Once again he makes weird deep lore characters like the wholesome cute yet deadly hybrid god King Shark (a perfect Sylvester Stallone), rat-using Ratcatcher II(Daniela Melchior who brings some of the other main emotion of the film along with a contender for most-adorable versus King Shark in Sebastian the rat), grotesque awkward energy using Abner Krill / “Polka-Dot Man” (David Dastmalchian), Weasel (Sean Gunn), and more work so digest-ably fun together.  Everyone gets at least one or sometimes much more memorable moments which is a credit (And truly MCU-esque aspect) of this ensemble cast.   Smaller parts in various friends / foes like mercenary allies Savant(Michael Rooker), Blackguard(Pete Davidson), T.D.K (Nathan Fillion), Milton (Julio Ruiz), John (Steve Agee), and many more bring edgy joy.

  It's almost like a dark version of GoTG where every character had the peculiar banter of Drax , Groot , and Mantis at once to zany extremes never thought possible. Unfortunately antagonists such as dictator (Juan Diego Botto), his General ally (Joaquin Cosio), and super-intelligence brain-spiked The Thinker (Peter Capaldi, a couple quips aside)  do not make much impact or trend towards token-generic but the writing lifts all and has plenty of twists, turns, factions ,and more. 

What amazing bloody darkness that is. James Gunn always brings a magical touch to his work and this film is no different. Action sequences are big, bombastic, and CGI shiny (nigh-perfectly) this time with the blood and gore he was never allowed to do at Marvel. When one is laughing very often one will go “ooooh” at the kills achieved or intricate sets made or surreal colorful pieces of art created via motion or clever use of songs or...ahh, it's a Gunn movie through and through.  Original score by composer John Murphy adds to the ambiance as well although when it isn't whimsical it can be generic but once again like some of the other characters it feels like a clever use of satire. 

There really isn't any problem at all with this film and it's everything the fans would want.  Perhaps only sometimes it bends reality a bit too much for an even further tonal whiplash, wastes some lesser-used but potential-packed characters, or has confusing lore connections. Otherwise this is an amazing , hilarious, bloody , feels-inducing thrill ride that's a must see on any screen big or small. Can't wait to see what James Gunn does next no matter what superhero team it's for, or otherwise. 8.8 out of 10 

The Green Knight Review

The Green Knight

Director: David Lowery
Cast Headliners: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson, misc others
Original Release Date : July 30th, 2021 (Theatrical Only) 

Does destiny exist? Can we change who we're meant to be and can we ever escape our fates whether victory or doom?  For being thousands of years old Arthurian legend has some surprisingly important lessons for any era. Maybe it's because of these timeless lessons that the tiles of them are still fresh, timeless, and enjoyable in the modern day. The Green Knight is A24 / director David Lowery's attempt of turning the original art into something old yet new and it works for the most part astoundingly. 

No exact era is given other than some time in (a very fantastical-touched) Medieval England where we find our main plot for Sir Gawain (Dev Patel ) living in a castle. Here he serves the legendary King Arthur (Sean Harris) as well as his mysterious Mother (Sarita Choudhury who doesn't say much at all ). That's when he's not seeing a prostitute / lover Essel (Alicia Vikander).  It's a literally drab cycle of debauchery and secularism  until the fearsome, grassy titular demon Green Knight (a fearsome brogued Ralph Ineson) arrives on one Christmas day that begins a metaphysical and gorgeous journey. 

This opening sequence, not too far into the film, is an absolute standout. Flames and air flicker ominously and the audio is impeccable. The movie perhaps slows down or becomes confusing at times so brief moments of action or tension are welcome. It's more of a battle of the soul than of the flesh but there's some light unnerving blood that begins the journey.

What an incredible journey it is. Words cannot easily describe the surreal aesthetic and ambiance of the film. While it often is just mundane forests / mountains / castles everything is shot with such beatiful direction and cinematography from Lowery.  Each shot hums with quality whether near or far or real vs dreaming. It feels like a journey into a page of an illustrated bible or its own dark fever state. The sparseness of encounters with the supernatural (like the Green Knight) make their impact that much more impressive. Stellar music, whether period or modern-esque, by composer Daniel Hart adds to the proceedings as well. 

The acting is stellar for the most part. Patel's Gawain struggles with bravery and adequacy. It's a tenacity not seen since Leonardo DiCaprio in the Revenant as he is in transit to his goals. Emotional feels, some jokes, romance, planning...a solid turn. His scenes with Vikander's Essell are some good romantic moments. Meanwhile Harris' King brings (sometimes too) soft-spoken words of encouragement and wisdom.     More bit parts by Barry Keoghan, Erin Kellyman, and Joel Edgerton are good as well aside the unnamed or less-involved.  The dialogues give things a Greek myth-like quality that varies from humor to spooky. 

While it's achievements in acting and audio-visuals of course should be praised what makes this film so excellent is it's morality and sense of time. So many things have hidden meanings or foreshadowing...this is pure art with many ways to interepret. Cool logo and chapter effects on text offer more literal art as well and hints to what it all means. Time must be seen firsthand but results in one of the most amazing sequences in films in recent memory.  

That's what this film is overall: a lot. It can be an overwhelming avalanche of brain-thinking and metaphor amidst slower periods so don't come in expecting a swashbuckling blockbuster that's easy to understand. However for those willing to ponder deep themes and have their mind / soul filled with wonder it's a great achievement bringing that A24 film one knows and loves . 9 out of 10 

Black Widow Review

Black Widow

Director: Cate Shortland
Cast Headliners: Scarlet Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz,  O-T Fagbenle, Ray Winstone
Original Release Date : July 9th, 2021 (Theatrical and Paid Disney + 29.99 USD or Free October 6th)   

  This review is a bit late to the party, and unusual on this blog in these modern times... apologies. Yet too however the same can be said for the next Marvel MCU movie finally able to watch after so many delays in Black Widow. Scarlet Johansson's original founding Avenger has been in perhaps the most amount of MCU movies aside from Iron Man himself and yet she's never gotten a starring role unlike her male brethren.  It should have been far sooner but at least we now have something mostly worth the time if one knows what it is. 

There's not too much wrong with the film but one of the odd feelings (aside months / the past year of COVID-related date changes with actually this review possibly being done right on time with the Disney / ScarJo legal case going on) is in its setting. With mind of what occurred in 2019's Avengers: Endgame to Natasha Romanoff / “Black Widow' (Scarlet Johansson) there was no choice but to do a prequel / flashback however the specific setting is of some question. Maybe it's because of the age of everyone involved but rather than give us the much more interesting origin story of how she joined SHIELD in the first place (or a potential post-apocalyptic take between Thano's snap dustings(we could use some content there!) the movie takes place on the MCU timeline sometime between 2016's Captain America 3: Civil War  and 2018's Avengers 3: Infinity War.    This gives us a bit of an exciting little sequence with Natasha on the run from General Ross(William Hurt) and his soldiers but aside some small parts / jokes about the other Avengers or past adventures and poses this is a (mostly) grounded, standalone spy movie unrelated to the larger superhero world. There may be some other intriguing flashbacks mixed into the film as well giving further light to that origin story but it's best seen firsthand (and past the movie's terribly cheesy , early 00's Mission Impossible esque- title credits montage). 

Soon we find that Natasha isn't alone from this Russian spy world. Due to mysterious events happening with Russia's Black Widows (still existing out there as an antagonistic force) Black Widow soon finds herself re-united with long lost allies in fellow widows Yelena (Florence Pugh)  / Melina (Rachel Weisz) as well as the washed-up former Soviet Captain America parody Alexei / “Red Guardian” (David Harbour ironically named after Stranger Things S3 although some of that kind charm comes with him here).  Herein lies one of the best things about the film as any good MCU film; it's humor and heart. While ScarJo gives some pretty good leading charisma / badassery as ever one gets a bit of sense she's been there and done that or tired in the role. Luckily the supporting cast is pretty fantastic.  Pugh's Yelena has that same mix of charm and action aptitude whether friend or foe with an extra dosing of sassiness especially with her “ older sister”.  The “Dad” of the family in Red Guardian has some of the movie's funniest lines as well with Harbour Soviet-tastically cheesing it up when he isn't bashing skulls or being held as a greasy loser prisoner.   Weisz's Melina is a bit more subtle but gives a sense of some hidden motives and dangerous intellect.   Together, once it gets there (a bit generically or slow at times) the family is one for the ages with stellar rapport in dialogue or combat. There's even a bit of emotional feels and dark themes as well but exactly how such should be seen too but one can imagine its a film of “reunions” as described.  Small scene count having Bond Q-esque tech ally Rick Mason (O-T Fagbenle) is not as memorable but sure at time  adds some quips to the quip overload. 

Unfortunately, the generic sense is amplified within the primary antagonistic forces. This is for the most part in the Russian elite forces forces of General Dreykov (Ray Winstone) and Taskmaster(Actor or Actress Not To Be Spoiled). While one often hates Winston's stereotypically evilll Russian take (With ham to perhaps rival Red Guardian) it can feel a bit token although his plan is grossly fearsome in concept. The heavy-armor suit using, fighting-style copying Taskmaster pursues our heroes with a relentless almost Terminator-like force leading to some scary moments or intense action scenes but when and if the mask comes off it can feel a bit half-baked and some comic fans may not like the faceless take compared to the source. 

             I read a great Stan Lee (RIP no cameo yet again same as other material lately post-Endgame) approach / quote he said that in the original comics because Captain America had less-impressive powers than some of his fantastic superhero peers they made sure to up the amount of action that occurred showing how cool he could be with more human abilities. This same logic lies within Black Widow's other greatest strength (not surprisingly as such with mostly all Marvel blockbusters): the action scenes.  Bullets, guns, punches fly across many non-stop chases. The choreography for the many soldiers and widows in the film is impressive and frenetically gritty. Director Cate Shortland (fittingly the first solo female director too) does a mostly good job with the visuals and scenery whether icy Norway / Siberia, urban cities, or less realistic flying military craft. However the Earth setting can feel a bit more mundane than other MCU content of late and some questionable CGI antics occur but this just helps it catch up to that more fantastical fair out there. Sometimes the action veers a bit too much into shaky-cam when that effect isn't adding to its grit. However otherwise the film feels beautifully crisp budgeted especially on the big screen. Some alright music from composer Lorne Balfie adds to things when it's not itself rote too. 

As a whole the goods are good even if some of it has been done before. One wishes the setting and amount of revelations revealed were just a bit more to fan expectations but at least it tries. We really deserved this film years earlier (say soon before or after Avengers 1 or 2?) but at least it's happened at all. Spy / Russian-tastic, strong woman characters, action and heart-packed with just a bit of “MCU-ness” that would be wanted...it's a decent summer blockbuster that ends one era and may even start another for some of its characters bring it on. 7.7 out of 10

Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2021

Oscar Thoughts / Predictions 2021


 We're finally here! It feels in some ways like years since it's been an Oscar (remember Parasite?) But yet it's only 2-2.5 months later than it usually is.  It feels some better stuff may have been held off on, but,   there was some goodness. Just the same movies across categories too hmm hey at least it made it easier to type all this...

Best Picture

• The Father
• Judas and the Black Messiah
• Mank
• Minari
• Nomadland
• Promising Young Woman
• Sound of Metal
• The Trial of the Chicago 7”

Who Will Win: With so many of the same movies it can be tough as that makes it almost equal so things could go to almost any. However, undercard reports seem to  indicate that some top choices are Nomadland, Promising Young Woman, and Mank with Minari and Sound Of Metal not far behind. Moreso first three than latter 2, but.... I think it's a Nomadland vs Promising Young Woman overall. 

Who Should Win: Personally? Judas and the Black Messiah or Minari with maybe Promising Young Woman. The under appreciated! Maybe a miracle can happen. 

Best Director

• David Fincher, Mank
• Lee Isaac Chung, Minari
• Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
• Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman
• Thomas Vinterberg, Another Round

Who Will Win: Here's a circumstance where Nomadland has even more of a clear chance especially considering who Chloe Zhao is for demographics . However, feeling Fincher is a classic type of pick old school Hollywood. 

Who Should Win: Would not be wrong with Fincher or Zhao, or Fennell. 

Best Actor

• Anthony Hopkins, The Father
• Gary Oldman, Mank
• Steven Yeun, Minari
• Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal
• Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Who Will Win: There was many wins in the undercards of Boseman posthumously. I can see it happen in a Ledger style move. His year 2020. However,  some other close picks I would say almost any of the others with a near tie of Hopkins and Ahmed. 

Who Should Win: I wouldn't be opposed to Boseman either but raw talent I'd have to go with Ahmed  or Oldman I would say. 

Best Actress

• Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday
• Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
• Frances McDormand, Nomadland
• Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
• Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Who Will Win: This is a bit harder to predict but Davis may ride Boseman's wave. Could also see Andra Day or Carey Mulligan, thaere's a top 3. McDormand too although undercard has forgotten her.

Who Should Win: Personally, I would go with Carey Mulligan. Please! 

Best Supporting Actor

• Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7
• Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah
• Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami
• Paul Raci, Sound of Metal
• Lakeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah

Who Will Win: This is a bit more unpredictable but Judas is quantity wise so either Stanfield or Kaluuya. Maybe Raci too, possible.  Others less likely but maybe dark horse picks.

Who Should Win: Kaluuya, by far. Incredible. Otherwise I'd actually go with Raci too or potentially the novelty of seeing Sacha Baron Cohen win here while others win elewhere. 

Best Supporting Actress

• Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
• Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy
• Olivia Colman,  The Father
• Amanda Seyfried, Mank
• Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari

Who Will Win: The Academy loves Colman so could see her get that . Yet also , Baklova and Youn have been surprising niche picks from undercircuit. 

Who Should Win: Baklova plz memes lol! But would be happy with most of these. 

Best Original Screenplay

• Judas and the Black Messiah
• Minari  
• Promising Young Woman
• Sound of Metal
• The Trial of the Chicago 7

Who Will Win: This is where Minari wins for sure it feels that vibe. 

Who Should Win: This is where Judas can win please if not elsewhere. Or Promising Young Woman, same case I guess. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

• The Father
• Nomadland
• Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
• One Night In Miami
• The White Tiger

Who Will Win: Seems like a spot for Nomadland to get something too but the Farther or Borat 2 could pick up here. Maybe Miami shock. 

Who Should Win:  Honestly, the Father for its structure but Borat 2 for the memes. 

Best Animated Feature

• Onward
• Over the Moon
• A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
• Soul
• Wolfwalkers

Who Will Win: Soul, without a doubt. Good Pixar is good Pixar. Sometimes something like Wolfwalkers might have some odds. 

Who Should Win:  Soul! Or Onward! Disney forever! 

Best Visual Effects

• Love and Monsters
• The Midnight Sky
• Mulan
• The One and Only Ivan
• Tenet

Who Will Win:  I could see this being Tenet's token pick or something dumb like Midnight Sky or Mulan knowing the Academy.

Who Should Win:  Tenet, for a token pick. Yet also Love and Monsters for being the best thing on here with cool creatures or whatever. 

Best Production Design

• The Father
• Mank
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
• News of the World
• Tenet

Who Will Win: Mank by far due to old school Hollywood. However, Father / May Rainey tight play adaptions.  Dark horse Tenet  if doesn't get elsewhere

Who Should Win:  Tenet sure why not or Mank. 

Best Costume Design

• Emma
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
• Mank
• Mulan
• Pinocchio

Who Will Win: Hard to say, no comment really but potentially the historical Emma or Mank or Ma Rainey. 

Who Should Win:  Mulan it'd be spicy. 

Best Score

• Da 5 Bloods
• Mank
• Minari
• News of the World
• Soul

Who Will Win: Can see this going to Soul or Minari. 

Who Should Win:  DA 5 BLOODS BECAUSE IT WAS MOVIE OF THE YEAR THAT DIDN'T WIN AT ALL GRRRRRR CMON HONORARY . Soul feels groovy too Trent... 
 

We'll see what happens!

Godzilla Vs. Kong Review

Godzilla Vs. Kong

Director: Adam Wingard
Cast Headliners: Rebecca Hall, Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, Julian Dennison, Brian Tyree Henry, Demian Bichir
Original Release Date : March 26th , 2021 (International Markets), March 31st, 2021(USA / HBOMax app) 

(Back again! With yet another WB movie causing this much financial success and good times in big screens, it felt like a notable reason. These are “Big” movies and that's what KevViews always has and always will be about....and sometimes that's a number of things, but, these important blockbusters are on there! Anyways).

Crossovers are a ton of fun. You have one set of characters who's history you know meeting another. If one has seen both then there's a special feeling of the audience having an attachment to a character but the friends and or foes meeting for the first time.   When those characters are the giant laser lizard king of monsters Godzilla and the king of all kongs King Kong it's gonna be a pretty epic time no matter what. This new Godzilla vs. Kong film is not the first time these two titans have faced off, but it is the first time it has been done pretty darn well. 

The film picks up some time but seemingly not that long after the events of 2019's Godzilla “American / WB Legendary Monsterverse # 2”: King Of Monsters. The past movies are not required movies by any means (Because how much subtlety or lack of enjoyment could there be for giant monsters duking it out?) but it does help to have caught up on the franchise so far for certain references and cameos. Truly both Godzilla has gone through a “character arc” with Kong's moreso happening in this movie. 

         For the most part the movie blends the plots of the two creatures / factions quite well with each other.  In a very different and controller version of Skull Island, King Kong is monitored by a team including scientist Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) and the last living local Skull Islander native deaf young girl Jia(Kaylee Hottle) who's condition makes her not fear this greatest ape. Elsewhere Apex Cybernetics employee and podcaster / conspiracy theorist Bernie Haye (Brian Tyree Henry) believes something mysterious is up with his employer which is proven true when the previously thought to have been redeemed / heroic Godzilla emerges from the depths to massacre Apex facilities for whatever reason.  

          Each plot brings in a gaggle of supporting human characters to varying degrees of charm. Hall's Andrews is nothing much to speak of despite her knowledge but Hottle's Jia gives the movie a ton of heart with her relationship (almost friendship, believe it or not ) with Kong.  They're joined by others on a mission given by charismatic Apex CEO Walter Simmons(Demian Bichir, a bit hammy)  and the connections-barely alluded-to-at-all son of scientist from past  films' Ren Serizawa (Shun Oguri)  to find a mysterious energy source in the “Hollow Earth”. 

     In a way “Team Kong” also includes Hollow Earth expert Dr. Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgard) who kind of fills that classically cocky scientist / mission leader role if a bit generic / lame (on purpose?) at times.  Same thoughts can also be said of menacing daughter of CEO Maia Simmons(Elza Gonzalez).  “Team Godzilla” humans are the likes of those returning from the last movie of in teen girl  Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown) and newcomer friend Josh Valentine( Julian Dennison of Deadpool 2 / The Christmas Chronicles 2 fame) tagging along with Bernie as they investigate various science facilities finding out about Godzilla's newfound anger. This “teen squad” plot is not the best part of the movie and has some lame quips between the good ones(and Bobby Brown's heroism) and slowdowns from the  monster mania.  Previous film's human protagonist Dr.Mark Russell(Kyle Chandler) barely says anything at all who along with some other human Monarc plot elements appears to have been lost to the cutting room floor. 

       Because enough about human science drama what audiences want is big titan action. And it oh so gets there! But before the discussion begins of how “cool”  / “awesome” things can look, first a comment on how “beautiful” they can look. The Kong plot's quest into the Hollow Earth has some truly beautiful and surreal scenes from icy Antarctica to fantastical realms of floating rocks and other creatures. It feels like a true Kong movie plot on steroids for if a journey into Skull Island was a journey to a pocket universe at the center of the earth. This mystical realm goes hard into things almost out of Lord Of The Rings or other franchises entirely and is a fitting jump of the supernatural that's increased in past films. More than ever these made it worth seeing on the big screen even if this also has a home video HBO Max cross-release.  

    Beyond the serene, where director Adam Wingard excels so much visually is in the giant monster on monster action. These primarily come from multiple Godzilla vs King Kong scenes because of course they do but there's some other cool minor contenders and other surprises within. The movie manages to find ways for the two titans to be on equal footing even if objectively it's obvious Godzilla should win.  Kong , in a further extent of his protagonist-like humanization, employs many tricks and traps and cool moves in their clashes.   The scale of  and moves used in the action is in the realm of “absolutely ridiculous”.  Whether its water-based with naval ships and bombs being thrown around or the neon nighttime Hong Kong bout( where buildings are used like the walls of a WWE arena) there's many jaw-dropping moments. Truly the climax must be seen firsthand for how long it is and what unfolds with things escalating amazingly.  The CGI as a whole looks its best yet aside from a couple of weaker designs in moments (once again, best seen in IMAX vs home video, where safe to).  Some pretty decent (if typical)  music from  Junkie XL adds to the ambiance whether pulse-pounding orchestra pieces or even some  rare synthwave-esque parts (fitting in Hollow Earth or even sunny summertime human scenes fitting of Wingard's retro-style / horror project background ). 

         The good is good with the fights making the at times slow burn worth it. No one really comes for the human element anyways and for the most part they're not too bad if a bit cheesy and or typical. Things are really straightforward: Ancient rivals fight for the first time in the modern era and the x-factors of the universe all come together for an epic climax. Fans of the previous films must see this and even just people who want big and admittedly dumb fun.  Who knows where things lead for the franchise but regardless if things ended anyways they do so in style. 8.5 out of 10