Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Review

REVIEW

✦

REVIEW ✦

As the much-anticipated film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire wreaks havoc on the big screen (and the box office), fans are finally treated to a colossal duo of Kaiju staples that transcends the standard threshold for blockbuster entertainment. And courtesy of visionary filmmaker Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong), this epic partnership between two iconic titans has all the necessary components of a thrilling adventure that’s as visually stunning as it is emotionally enriching with its larger-than-life monsters.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures)

An Evolutionary Partnership

One of the biggest strengths of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire lies in its ability to strike a delicate balance between jaw-dropping spectacle and poignant storytelling. As Godzilla and Kong work towards an uncommon partnership in an ancient battle with potential for titan supremacy, each titular character is imbued with unspoken depth and complexity (given the ‘monster-smash’ premise), making their unity and conflict feel not just epic, but also distinctly personal.

Through this development in the new flick (first introduced in Godzilla vs. Kong), we dually get to experience more titan character progression than we’ve seen throughout the entire Monsterverse franchise up to this point. There’s a bigger opportunity for growth between the duo, new titans, and a returning favorite, with a highlight on the monster interactions — and the franchise’s best cast so far. More importantly, as a result of this polished dynamic, the new film explores universal themes of power, friendship, and sacrifice, that inevitably reflect on the nature of heroism and the strength that comes from unity.

Stellar Visual Effects

From beginning to end, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire facilitates exceptional visual effects which have undoubtedly come a long way since the 2014 film Godzilla. From the stunning showdowns between Godzilla and Kong (brief, but rather impactful) to the epic backdrops where destruction is imminent, every frame of the film takes stunning visual aesthetics into account — as if the creative team has evolved with each passing entry. Particularly when the film enters its final act with a four-way titan throw-down.

The magnificent attention to detail in bringing these iconic monsters to life is truly commendable, most notably with Godzilla’s magenta-hued, fresh redesign, making the viewing experience both immersive and awe-inspiring for longtime fans or casual audiences. If the Monsterverse has given us anything in the past 10 years, it’s consistent visual triumphs that we’re inclined to love. Fortunately, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire continues to explore that essential trend utilizing every new technological advancement possible.

The Monsterverse Continues to Expand

With any franchise, there’s always a need to grow and expand, which are key factors in the longevity of a property. That’s why Marvel has generated dozens of films and series throughout their constantly evolving roster. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire successfully expands the Monsterverse universe in a similar fashion, introducing new layers of lore and mythology that bring depth to the existing storyline. Something heavily detailed in the film’s hollow earth plot points.

Due to that, viewers are treated to a closer look at the origins of these mighty titans, (which is always a bonus feature) shedding light on their motivations and relationships with each other. The seamless integration of new creatures and characters into the narrative (like trapper) ensures that the Monsterverse continues to evolve in exciting and unexpected ways — especially when you’re given a baby Kaiju and a powerhouse foe.

An Original Villain in an Established Franchise

Amid the titan chaos that’s already happening, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire offers the introduction of a formidable new villain known as the Skar King, who poses a significant threat to our beloved monsters. The character design and development of the original antagonist are intriguing and menacing (elongated limbs, a deadly weapon, hollow earth ties, etc.) offering a brand-new face and an unexplored perspective on the eternal struggle between good and evil in the Monsterverse.

The presence of this original villain adds an extra layer of suspense and intrigue to the film, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the climactic finale due to the imprisonment of apes and a titan. Sure, he might not be a Ghidorah or SpaceGodzilla-level threat that we were hoping to see at this point in the franchise, but he’s still a formidable, cruel opponent for this particular story.

Score: 8/10

At its core, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is a must-watch for fans of the Monsterverse genre and those who adore a big-budget cinematic experience.

While the film may not revolutionize the genre in a stoic, dramatic fashion, it still excels in delivering pulse-pounding action, stunning visuals, and an engaging storyline that will keep viewers thoroughly entertained from start to finish. Whether you are inclined to prefer Team Godzilla or Team Kong, there is something in this film for everyone to enjoy.

For all the monster movie enthusiasts out there, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is in theaters now.