When Kong is removed from Skull Island as part of a major expedition, Godzilla quickly steps in to assert his position as King of the Monsters. What follows is a heavy-weight bout of epic proportions, one that reveals an ancient rivalry between the two species. But with the Apex Cybernetics corporation picking up the tab, is there more to this expedition than meets the eye?
It's movies like this that should really be seen on the big screen! Between the breath-taking visuals and epic kaiju fights - all of which is set perfectly to Junkie XL's fantastic score - Adam Wingard's foray into the MonsterVerse certainly lives up to its title. Seeing these two giants - as well as a certain third player - knock seven bells out of each other is... well, monstrous fun. And because the visuals are so crisp, you can appreciate every punch, every radioactive breath and every smashed building. In that respect Godzilla vs Kong is exactly what fans want; a humongous clash of the titans, from which nothing is safe. That aircraft carrier fight glimpsed in the trailers is the perfect introduction to this monumental conflict, and it only gets bigger and better from there!
The problem is, despite being the shortest of the MonsterVerse movies, there isn't enough fighting. We're not talking Godzilla (2014) levels, but the movie is lacking. Most fans will admit that they really only watch this type of movie for the monster fights, but these movies usually feature some sort of fairly engaging human story to fill the gaps. Well up until now they did. The human story in Godzilla vs Kong is so incredibly paper thin it might as well not be there at all! If anything it's a quick and easy way of introducing that third player into the monster fights.
The returning characters are completely underused (especially Kyle Chandler, who is reduced to little more than a cameo), and the new characters are never really given the opportunity to shine. Shun Oguri's character being the son of Ishiro Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) doesn't even bare mention, let alone serve a purpose. Damián Bichir and Eiza Gonzalez are given little to do as father/daughter (generic) corporate stooges, and the main plot which they instigate and is led by Alexander Skarsgård and Rebecca Hall turns out to be rather dull, apart from when Godzilla shows up, although the scenery is nice. However, there is one exception. Kaylee Hottle gives a magnificent performance as Jia, a Skull Island native who shares a bond with Kong. It's a very earnest performance, which is all the more impressive when you consider she's acting opposite an entirely CGI character. But it's actually quite heart-warming to see Jia and her rather large protector taking care of each other.
Given that the last time we saw her, Madison (Millie Bobby Brown) was caught between two parents and their battle of morals, I was expecting her story to be the most interesting. Especially with the trailer teasing a much more grown up, independent Madison, and what looked to be her quest to save Godzilla('s reputation). But apart from recruiting a couple of guys to help her - Brian Tyree Henry's quirky conspiracy nut and Julian Dennison playing amusingly against type as the anxious nerd - and the secret she's looking to uncover already spoiled in the trailers, she's pretty much along for the ride, like just about everyone else in this movie.
As the title would suggest there are some great clashes between two of the MonsterVerse's favourite titans. Both Godzilla and Kong look incredible as they kick the living shit out of each other - something they do with style. Unfortunately it's everything in between these epic bouts that falls short, leaving audiences to endure an uninspiring human story whilst awaiting the next punch-up. But the biggest disappointment is that many of us will never see this skyscraper sized Battle Royale on the big screen!
6/10
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