GODZILLA VS KONG (2021)

Critic - No. 202

Director: Adam Wingard

Produced by: Legendary Pictures

Casts: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir

Language: English

Genre: Action, Sci-fi, Thriller

Music: Tom Holkenborg 

SYNOPSIS: 

Legends collide as Godzilla and Kong, the two most powerful forces of nature, clash on the big screen in a spectacular battle for the ages. As a squadron embarks on a perilous mission into fantastic uncharted terrain, unearthing clues to the Titans' very origins and mankind's survival, a conspiracy threatens to wipe the creatures, both good and bad, from the face of the earth forever.

 

REVIEW:

The film kicks off when Godzilla emerges from the depths of the ocean to attack a facility owned by Apex Cybernetics. This prompts Dr. Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgård), a former Monarch scientist to team up with Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) and convince Kong to defend humans from Godzilla while also looking for his original home. Dr. Andrew’s adopted daughter Jia (Kaylee Hottle), a hearing and speech impaired girl forms a bond with Kong as well. Meanwhile, Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown), a fan of Bernie’s podcast, suspects Godzilla has valid reasons for his crazy rage.

Just to offer a recap of the franchise, the first meeting between Godzilla and King Kong — the iconic mega-monsters of Japanese and American B-movie cinema, was in 1962’s King Kong Vs. Godzilla. While the VFX budget may have changed in the last six decades, this film offers the same kind of fun with a much bigger scale and more characters. While the sci-fi track and the setup can be quite cringy honestly, the clashes are much meatier than the creatures’ standalone film released previously. 

What I loved about the film are the packed action sequences that kick start from the fifth minute and never stop till the end. It is those movies that are very clear in what they want to offer - action, action, and more action! Yes, the emotional subplots and characters are quite generic while the episode between Jia and Kong is quite warm to see though it appears rather brief. Despite the cast putting their best efforts into their physically challenging roles, there are hardly any emotionally impactful moments in the wafer-thin plot. 

Since the monsters are quite well introduced in their stand-alone film, the narration is mainly packed with action set pieces that are choreographed with great detail laced with magnificent VFX and creature designs. Cinematographer Ben Seresin ensures that the action sequences are shot with energy and innovation. Tom Holkenborg’s majestic score elevates the grandness of the film as well. Despite its shortcomings, Godzilla vs. Kong fulfills its promise to the audience and delivers an adrenaline-pumping action monster flick that will definitely fill in the recent dry spell of cinema. 

VERDICT:

The breathtaking monster clashes and spectacular visual effects ensure that the narrative setbacks are well buried under the non-stop fun the film generously offers. 

 

CELLULOID METER- 3.25/5: