'Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire' Movie Review: A Campy Good Time
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- Published: Thursday, 28 March 2024 09:46
- Written by Lupe R Haas
GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE is campy as hell in the vein of the Japanese classics, SON OF GODZILLA (1967) and DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968). True Godzilla fans will enjoy the heck out of this movie, while others may not understand the shift in tone from the previous Hollywood movies.
The two mighty Titans join forces against an even bigger threat from Hollow Earth in THE NEW EMPIRE.
GODZILLA VS KONG director Adam Wingard brings more fun to Legendary’s Monsterverse in his second kaiju outing. We meet more kaiju, some of whom are introduced in the trailer along with some surprises. Skar is a formidable scary foe with a secret weapon that's no match for Kong and Godzilla.
The human cast includes returning favorite Kaylee Hottle as Jia, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and joining them is Dan Stevens.
Luckily, the human drama is kept at a minimum. The characters move the story along while explaining the new things we are introduced to. In the previous Legendary movies, the human characters were the primary focus with Titans merely popping up for a fight. Here the Titans take on human characteristics which is a bit hokey but it’s in the tradition of the campy Japanese Godzilla movies. True Godzilla fans won’t mind the shift in tone.
The standout once again is Kaylee Hottle, now a teenager, who brings compassion and a strong presence to the screen. Jia’s connection with Kong is still the heart of the story.
Dan Stevens also brings joy to the movie as an eccentric scientist with a goofy side.
In GODZILLA X KONG, the story largely takes place in Hollow Earth which is a refreshing departure from the previous films. In this new setting, Wingard explores new worlds and Titans.
Sometimes the film plays up the ridiculous but that’s the fun part of the movie as a callback to the origins of kaiju movies.
Oftentimes, the CGI is overwhelming as well as the dizzying camera movements. One particular scene comes off looking like a video game.
The story is very predictable but there are some surprises with a cameo by a favorite kaiju.
GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE may not be for everyone but it’s a fun trip to the movies.
GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE is a movie theaters on Friday, March 28.