BLOOD WORK: April 2024

GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE (2024)

Taking stock of all the Godzilla content we've recently been given, we kaiju fans are incredibly lucky. MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS (I still haven't seen yet, because I don't have Apple TV+), SKULL ISLAND on Netflix, GAMERA: REBIRTH, all of the comic books too, and most importantly GODZILLA MINUS ONE, we are truly experiencing a new kaiju golden age. And now, the latest theatrical entry in Legendary Pictures' MONSTERVERSE has been released and I was there on opening night for it.

GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE couldn't be further from Godzilla Minus One in terms of tone, storytelling, and execution. It is an entirely different experience altogether. For those seeking another dose of a Godzilla Minus One caliber experience, this movie will not satisfy. GXK is striving for a completely different experience, eschewing any semblance of serious dramatic storytelling, and instead going for pure absurdity and spectacle.

I'll argue that this isn't a bad thing.

There is a place for absurdist Godzilla fair, as evident by the Godzilla films from the 1970s and early 2000s. GXK is more akin to films like Godzilla Vs Megalon, Godzilla Vs the Smog Monster, Godzilla Vs Megaguirus, and, most particularly, Godzilla: Final Wars (all authentic Japanese Godzilla films, by the way). Even the original 1962 King Kong Vs Godzilla is an example of the more ludicrous Godzilla films and GXK is fully embracing these esthetics. As a child I definitely gravitated to the "sillier" Godzilla films of the Showa Era (1954-1975) and I'd be lying if I didn't say that my inner child wasn't fully in love with the lengths of insanity this movie is striving for. And that's who this film feels like it's aimed for.

Having Godzilla Minus One so fresh in our memories next to GXK really highlights the versatility of Godzilla and what can be done with the character. It's a movie like this that makes generations of kids Godzilla fans. And it's a movie like Godzilla Minus One that keeps those same kids fans of Godzilla when they grow into adults looking for more mature storytelling.

THE SYNOPSIS

A temporary truce between the two kings is in affect. Godzilla polices the surface world from kaiju threats while Kong explores the subterranean world of the Hollow Earth. An even deeper subsection of Hollow Earth, previously sealed off, is opened, unleashing new deadlier kaiju threats. The only hope the world has of surviving these new kaiju enemies is if the two kings can work together once more and save the world. But will they be able to set aside their natural animal instincts, or will they kill each other before the other kaiju even arrive?

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

~ A Unique Situation For a Godzilla Fan ~

Before we get to this movie, I have to admit to falling head over heels in love with GODZILLA MINUS ONE. I went to the movie theater four times to see it, including the Black & White version. I found myself loving G-1 more and more with every viewing. It was truly the Godzilla movie I had been longing to see for the last twenty years. Had we not been gifted G-1 so recently, my feelings toward GXK might be different. Both films deliver a completely different flavor of Godzilla film servicing the adult Godzilla fan with one and the adolescent Godzilla fan with the other.

Godzilla Minus One is a MASTERPIECE of mature serious storytelling.

And I'll be so bold as to say that Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire is a MASTERPIECE of children's entertainment.

Okay, "Masterpiece" is a bit of a stretch, but while I was watching the movie I had to applaud how the filmmakers just went for it. There's so much monster action and wild CGI effects in this movie, it almost boggles the mind. They really went ALL-IN with this one and I have to give the movie its due for sheer unapologetic kaiju spectacle. That is what this movie is; pure and unabashed popcorn movie entertainment, no Hollywood pretention, no underlying messages or lectures, no real treatise on humanity. Pure cane sugar, nothing healthy, no synthetics.

Godzilla X Kong, rather than trying to be like Godzilla Minus One, endeavors to be a completely different kind of Godzilla movie. Personally, I'm glad it didn't try to be like Godzilla Minus One, because it likely would've fell short. The biggest reason being: American filmmakers simply do not understand who Godzilla is.

There is a fundamental difference between authentic Japanese Godzilla and American Godzilla. This has been a problem with the Monsterverse since its inception in 2014. There is something culturally unique about Godzilla that is intrinsically Japanese and very few outside of Japan can hone in on what that is. Personally, outside of one film in the Monsterverse (Godzilla: King of the Monsters 2019), I haven't liked the Monsterverse version of Godzilla. From the redesign to the new roar to his characterization and his backstory. The character Legendary Pictures has cultivated is more akin to Gamera's character than Godzilla. And wouldn't you know it, it's the same in GXK.

TEAM GODZILLA

In 2021's Godzilla Vs Kong, I felt Godzilla was treated the worst of the two. For a film that is essentially a "super hero team-up" movie, Godzilla is portrayed far worse than Kong. He lacks significant screen time, a supporting cast of human characters that cheer him on, and really lacking any endearing personality traits. GXK commits the exact same sins against Godzilla as the previous film. The roar once again is bland and two tone, lacking in identity, and the dorsal plates are basically that of a generic fantasy monster. As a general comment on the monsters, most of their roars are generic and indistinguishable from one another, which is disappointing to say the least.

Now, in regards to Godzilla's new pink redesign, I must say I wasn't too keen on it when it was first revealed in the trailer. Overtime it has grown on me quite a bit. And seeing it in the film, I can say that I actually like it. Legendary isn't using the actual Godzilla in their films (save for GKOTM where they came the closest), but really creating their own unique monster that just happens to be named Godzilla. All in all, Godzilla only really works in this movie only during the final sequence, and only then superficially. Thinking of him as the cartoony Godzilla from Final Wars or Megalon will help place you in the right mindset.

TEAM KONG

Once again, King Kong is the real winner in this movie. Just like in GVK 2021, Kong is given the majority of the kaiju screentime and the truly standout scenes. In general, he's simply given so much more to do here than Godzilla. Everything Godzilla lacks in these films, Kong has. He has a strong supporting cast to cheer him on, he has character growth, personality, sympathy. And he has an uphill battle in the movie. It really feels like this is Kong's movie. His story here is the pivotal plot of the movie. There is a standout scene where Kong meets a group of monsters and they have a whole verbal exchange without words. It's really amazing.

As a lifelong King Kong fan (full disclosure: I love King Kong as much as I love Godzilla and can't decide which I love more than the other. To me they're equal), GXK represents a first in King Kong's film history. Since his first film appearance 90 years ago, Kong has only ever had his story continue in a maximum of two films: originally King Kong '33 and Son of Kong, then King Kong Vs Godzilla '62 and King Kong Escapes, and finally King Kong '76 and King Kong Lives. The Monsterverse King Kong now has three movies telling a continuous story, a first ever!

As with GVK, I really love what they're doing with Kong in GXK. It feels like director Adam Wingard really has a connection with Kong. Sadly there is a major disconnect between Wingard and Godzilla which leaves the big lizard sorely lacking.

THE ACTUAL STORY OF THE FILM

The introduction of the Hollow Earth provides a wealth of fun story potential and could continue to going forward if this film is successful. Lots of monsters show up and lots of battles ensue, which, as a kid, is exactly what we want in a monster movie! More monsters, please! More battles, please!" The main badguy, Scar King, is a great villain to hate. And the introduction of Shimo is a nice new monster that I hope will play a bigger role in another movie (if they make more). There is a surprise appearance by an unexpected kaiju too which was great to see!

The Hollow Earth civilization is also rife with potential for future storytelling and a nice connection to Kong: Skull Island (2017), my favorite film in the Monsterverse. Really, I don't need or want this Monsterverse version of Godzilla personally (I understand there are many fans who do love the Monsterverse Godzilla though). What I really want is more King Kong. To even things out too, since Godzilla received two solo movies in the Monsterverse, King Kong should get a second solo movie in the Monsterverse.

THE VERDICT

Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire is pure wild kaiju spectacle and nothing more. It isn't trying to be a film like Godzilla Minus One, instead embracing a different side of Godzilla, the sillier side. But the film never makes fun of itself nor devolves into satire, instead remaining fully invested in the type of story it's telling. The monster spectacle is among the most epic I've ever seen. Godzilla's new design is better than I expected it to be and is definitely the highlight of Godzilla's portion of the film. The real star of the film though is Kong. King Kong remains the best character throughout the entire Monsterverse franchise.

GXK is the type of film that will hopefully make a new generation of young Godzilla and King Kong fans. And hopefully the older fans can adjust their expectations enough to enjoy it too. I've seen it twice now and it maintains its quality. I sincerely hope the film is financially successful enough to continue into another film. The reason being: I want to see King Kong's story continue.

Overall Ranking: 7 out of 10

What I'd like to see out of the Monsterverse going forward is more of King Kong. Unless someone else comes in and "corrects" Godzilla (Michael Dougherty did Godzilla the best in the Monsterverse), I don't care what happens with him. If Adam Wingard continues, I'd want to see him go all in on Kong's story. Kong is set up for far more interesting stories going forward by virtue of being in the Hollow Earth. Plus, all of the new kaiju introduced in this movie are with Kong in the Hollow Earth, while Godzilla systematically killed off nearly every kaiju he encountered on the surface.

And have the next movie be ENTIRELY kaiju with NO humans. They can explore Subterrenea and make their way towards the molten core where the truly scary and evil monsters are. Invent more new kaiju and dig into more of Kong's history. That's what I'd do and something I'd be excited to see. King Kong has never had this much continuous story before in his film history and, more than anything, I want to see it continue further.

For more of my thoughts on all things kaiju and giant monsters, check out these other posts below!

THE MONSTERVERSE

Godzilla (2014)

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Godzilla Vs Kong (2021)

The Meg

The SHIN-VERSE & REBIRTH

GODZILLA MINUS ONE

GAMERA REBIRTH (2023)

SHIN GODZILLA (2016)

SHIN ULTRAMAN (2022)