Friday, March 29, 2024

Review of GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE: Kickass and Kinetic Kaijus!

March 29, 2024


Kong was thriving well in Hollow Earth, able to fight off his enemies. However, he was lonely, longing for contact with his own kind. An ongoing infection of his left upper canine tooth was not helping the situation.  Meanwhile, Godzilla was "helping" humans control the havoc wreaked by other irradiated Titans on the surface. His latest "mission" was subduing the crab monster terrorizing Rome. After his victory, Godzilla took a victory nap in the Coliseum. 

While Kong was on the surface seeking dental help from his human friends, Godzilla was awakened by signals originating from Hollow Earth. These same signals were also perceived by Jia (Kaylee Hottle), adopted daughter of lead scientist Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall). She led an expedition into Hollow Earth, together with her veterinarian friend Trapper (Dan Stevens) and podcast host Bernie Hayes (Brian Tyree Henry) to seek out the source. 

The first Godzilla - Kong collaboration project "Godzilla Vs. Kong" (2021) was released during the pandemic, streaming on HBO Go (MY REVIEW). Because of this, most people were not able to appreciate the full expanse of Hollow Earth and the gigantic Titans as designed and executed when they watched it on small gadgets. Now for this sequel -- do watch this on the biggest screens, in 3D IMAX if possible, for best possible viewing experience.

With a predictable story to tell, the film came to life only when Godzilla and Kong were on the screen. The annoyingly whiny human characters were mainly there for comic effect and to up the fear factor. We also meet new gigantic creatures discovered in a deeper subterranean world, including a mythic insect kaiju in an extended cameo. I am not exactly a fan of the design of the brown-furred baby ape at first, but he grew on me as the film went on.

Like the first film, it was still shown how Kong was very much dependent on the help of his human friends, like the extraction and instant implantation of a replacement, and their miraculous management of severe frostbite injury. Basic medical principles were ignored (you can't implant on infected tissue, among others), but then again, I guess no one really cares about these things in a popcorn adventure film like this, as long as it delivers the thrills. 7/10.   


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