Out today in theaters and available on HBO Max for the next 31 days is the highly anticipated, Adam Wingard directed fantasy/action film GODZILLA VS. KONG. Now I must be honest. I haven’t seen most of the films in Legendary Entertainment’s monsterverse – which includes Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters – except 2014’s Godzilla which set off the shared fictional universe for Kong and Godzilla.
Here’s the official synopsis: Legends collide in “Godzilla vs. Kong” as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young, orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans—instigated by unseen forces—is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.
Okay full disclosure, I am #TeamGodzilla all the way and I have no issue with Kong. But, I had a serious problem with two of my fave fictional creatures being pitted against each other. I am an old fan from the 70’s and 80’s where Creature Double Feature ruled on Saturday afternoons, and the trailers for this film were confusing to me.
In those old movies, there was King Kong, who was minding his business, then kidnapped and longed (and fought) to make it back home. Then there was Godzilla who was always a protector of the people when he showed up. They both were rooted for and I never conceived them being enemies.
I mean Kong is like Wu-Tang, he’s “for the kids,” and Godzilla is the ultimate bodyguard – but what were these new trailers insinuating? Godzilla can’t possibly be the bad guy!
Now once I got over my suspicions and screened the film, the story ended up not being (too) bad – especially where my boy Godzilla is concerned, but you know I won’t spoil it!
What I will say is there’s hardly any character development, and you better come into this one with some knowledge of these monsters and this rebooted universe’s history.
And the subplot with Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Julian Dennison (Deadpool), and Brian Tyree Henry (Widows, Atlanta) is a little cumbersome, but Henry has the best one-liners of the film and definitely adds to the entertainment level.
Also, this film is certainly skewed towards Kong, who has the coolest scene music and the best final fight scene – but there is a method to the madness, so my boy Godzilla isn’t thrown out with the bath water but could have been more of a hero at the end.
Even though I think there are a few holes and wanted stronger character development, “Godzilla Vs. Kong” is still a good popcorn flick, with some fun moments and great action scenes.
I rate it 3 out of 5 on the MMTrometer.
Until next thought, Thomasena
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