Exploring Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – A Letdown Encounter

Every time a new Godzilla movie comes out, I feel a mix of hope and caution, all thanks to my brother's undying love for Roland Emmerich's 1998 Godzilla. He watched it so much that I'm amazed our VHS tape survived. But his Godzilla craze didn't stop there; he also got into the original Toho Co. films, even though they were dubbed in a cringy way, and the American version with Raymond Burr. These movies were like the background score to my childhood, sometimes irritating, but over time, I've come to appreciate and even enjoy them, including Emmerich's version, which we watched again with my family during lockdown and surprisingly had fun with.

But this year, the excitement for the new Godzilla movie faced another challenge: the release of Godzilla Minus One in late 2023. This Japanese movie from Toho Studios, set after World War II, was the 37th in the Godzilla series, packing in impressive monster scenes and deep themes, much like the original's message about nuclear destruction.

Unfortunately, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the latest in Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse series, didn't live up to its predecessors. Beyond the cool monster fights and destruction, it missed the mark on addressing humanity's worries and issues.

Set three years after Godzilla vs. Kong, the story unfolds with the monsters ruling their own territories. But when a strange signal disrupts Godzilla, a journey to uncover its source begins, leading to Hollow Earth and a new world for Kong.

Surprisingly, Godzilla takes a backseat in the movie, leaving most of the focus on the human characters. Despite having talented actors like Rebecca Hall and Dan Stevens, the plot gets tangled up in unnecessary explanations, not making the most of their skills.

Visually, the movie has its moments, especially with Hollow Earth. But the artificial feel sometimes breaks the connection with the audience.

And don't even get me started on the visual effects. While they're colorful, they lack the realism needed to draw you in. Some character designs even feel oddly fake.

Overall, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire falls short of expectations, offering little beyond its spectacle. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for a fun movie, this monster showdown may leave you wanting more.



Movie Details

Directed by:

Adam Wingard

Screenplay by:

  • Terry Rossio
  • Simon Barrett
  • Jeremy Slater

Story by:

  • Terry Rossio
  • Adam Wingard
  • Simon Barrett

Based on:

Godzilla and Mothra by Toho Co., Ltd.

Produced by:

  • Thomas Tull
  • Jon Jashni
  • Brian Rogers
  • Mary Parent
  • Alex Garcia
  • Eric McLeod

Starring:

  • Rebecca Hall
  • Brian Tyree Henry
  • Dan Stevens
  • Kaylee Hottle
  • Alex Ferns
  • Fala Chen

Cinematography:

Ben Seresin

Edited by:

Josh Schaeffer

Music by:

  • Tom Holkenborg
  • Antonio Di Iorio

Production company:

Legendary Pictures

Distributed by:

  • Warner Bros. Pictures (Worldwide)
  • Toho (Japan)[1]

Release dates:

  • March 25, 2024 (TCL Chinese Theatre)
  • March 29, 2024 (United States)

Running time:

115 minutes[2]

Country:

United States

Language:

English

Budget:

$135–150 million[3][4]

Box office:

$558.7 million[5][6]