“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is the latest installment of the Toho “MonsterVerse” and a direct sequel to the 2021 hit film “Godzilla VS Kong.” With both director Adam Wingard and several cast members returning from the previous movie, this latest go-round provides ample monster VS monster thrills even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel.
Picking up where the events of “Godzilla VS Kong” left off, Godzilla has emerged from the sea while Kong continues exploring Hollow Earth. As a new threat known as the “Scar King” emerges alongside the icy titan Shimo; Godzilla and Kong must unite to defend their domains against these beasts. The ensuing 115 minutes is a massive love letter to the Japanese monster films released in the Showa era (with Wingard citing “Godzilla VS Hedorah” as a major influence on the style and tone of the movie).
Though the human characters are relatable enough (with Dan Stevens being a standout as monster veterinarian “Trapper”), the giant monsters are very much the focal point of the movie. Over the last decade, the Toho MonsterVerse has proven to be a highly resilient cinematic universe as countless others have tried to chase the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; with few succeeding.
While Wingard’s work in horror films has often been divisive, he has demonstrated that he has major untapped potential as an action director. Even if the film’s $135 million budget is the lowest of the franchise to date (though still well above the $15 million spent on the highly-acclaimed “Godzilla Minus One”), you’d never know just from looking. Locales from Italy to Brazil become arenas that fill the screen with glorious mayhem; and the script (featuring recurring “Pirates of the Caribbean” scribe Terry Rossio as one of the three screenwriters) fully commits to the absurdity of the source material’s Showa era. A standout action scene takes place in an area of Hollow Earth where normal rules of gravity don’t apply, and both Godzilla and Kong have showy new tricks to fight the increased threats. Godzilla gains a new pink-hued form of his familiar atomic breath, and Kong has an enhanced power gauntlet to do battle with his adversaries (cheekily referred to as “Project Powerhouse”).
Overall, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is a gleefully unapologetic throwback to the giant monster films of Toho’s past and a satisfying sequel to 2021’s “Godzilla VS Kong.” With Wingard expressing interest in directing a third film with Godzilla and Kong; there is ample opportunity for the MonsterVerse to continue.
Directed by Adam Wingard
Starring Dan Stevens, Brian Tyree Henry, Rebecca Hall, Rachel House, and Kaylee Hottle with Fala Chen and Alex Ferris
Rated PG-13
My Rating: ****/5
