Godzilla vs. Kong Movie Review: Visually spectacular but not compelling enough

Fans have been waiting a long time for this faceoff between two of the most iconic characters in movie folklore but will it have the payoff they imagined and expected? Read on…

Godzilla vs. Kong
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Lance Reddick, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir
Director: Adam Wingard
Rating: ***

The latest epic chapter in this featured Monsterverse pits the fearsome Godzilla against the mighty King Kong and humans as always are caught right in the middle of that onslaught of immeasurably brutal brawn-force. Fans have been waiting a long time for this faceoff between two of the most iconic characters in movie folklore but will it have the payoff they imagined and expected? Read on…

Gareth Edwards Godzilla reinstated G as the Apex Titan, Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts Kong: Skull Island gave a similar makeover to Kong while Michael Dougherty’s  Godzilla: King of the Monsters gave us a glimpse of what happens when monsters are let loose against each other – thus setting a juicy prelude for this gargantuan explosion between Alpha titans, Lizard king Godzilla and Ape King Kong. This fourth entry in Warner Bros/Legendary Entertainment’s Monsterverse is big on spectacle and low on plot while fairly charismatic actors are made to spout gibberish amidst the featured bouts of monster action. Millie Bobby Brown, who reprises her role as Madison, along with Kyle Chandler as her father links the three previous editions together but her presence here is more nominal than integral to the plot. She is part of the team, including good friend Josh (Julian Dennison), investigating Godzilla’s reasons for attacking Apex Corporation research facility run by scientist Ren Serizawa (Shun Oguri) and CEO Walter Simmons (Demian Bichir). On Skull Island engulfed by permafrost, Jia (Kaylee Hottle), a young girl who is on-site with scientist Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) are connected to an older, grizzled King Kong protected in a special base – until Hollow Earth theorist Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgård) convinces Hall to loan him for the big ticket fight.

There’s loads of boring exposition to sit through before you can get to that end though. The part played by humans doesn’t inspire interest. The narrative exploits a mythology that is largely inexplicable. The babble (it all sounds like mumbo-jumbo) about hollow earth theory, genetic memory, anti-gravity, star gate at the earth’s core, psionics, etc. doesn’t carry much weight. The things that holds your interest though are the beasts and the manner in which they are designed and shot. The CGI is beautiful. The beasts do their thunderous smackdowns with unparalleled felicity. The climactic fight is the highlight and its heart-stopping. The camerawork manages to capture it all with definitive glory. Unfortunately, the facile storyline makes the entire engagement all-too-easily forgettable.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!