Godzilla Vs. Kong
Director: Adam WingardCast 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
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