Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall from 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong) states,
“For most of human civilization, we believed that we were Earth’s most dominant species. We believed that life could only exist on the surface of the planet. Well, after a certain point of view, you have to wonder what else we were wrong about?”
This is the intro to Adam Wingard’s follow-up to 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, released in theaters on March 29, 2024, through Warner Bros. Pictures. Subsequently released on digital platforms on May 14th, to Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K UHD Blu-ray on June 11th, before becoming available to stream on Max on July 4th, it stars the previously mentioned Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry continuing his role of Bernie from Godzilla vs. Kong, Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast 2017, Abigail 2024), Kaylee Hottle again as Jia from Godzilla vs. Kong, Alex Ferns (The Batman 2022, The Devil’s Hour series), as well as Fala Chen (Can’t Buy Me Love 2011, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 2021). Beyond this, Allan Henry (The Jungle Book 2016, Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire 2023) handled the motion capture of Kong and Skar King.
Godzilla and Kong once again clash as a new, colossal threat emerges from the depths of the Earth. This threat forces them to confront their intertwined origins and potentially unite to protect humanity from a danger hidden within our world while further exploring the mysteries of Skull Island and the Hollow Earth.
Godzilla has been around since 1954 when the first Godzilla film was released in Tokyo. It, the original had no sex, has appeared in thirty-eight films, including thirty-three Japanese and five American. The Godzilla franchise is the longest-continuously-running film series in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Man in Suit Godzilla was retired in 1972. Then, in 1998, Godzilla was first generated with computer graphics.
On the other hand, King Kong has been around since 1933. He has thirteen movies under his belt, including a 1976 and 2005 remake. In 1991, the original King Kong was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. Not bad for a 91-year-old. In 1933, Kong was brought to life through stop motion, and then, in 2005, he was first rendered in motion, captured by Andy Serkis of Gollum fame, and he has been ever since.
This is while Mothra has been around since 1961. It was created with practical effects, such as a wire-operated mechanical puppet. At the same time, the larva was a man-in-suit puppet operated by six stuntmen crawling in a single file. In later films, the adult Mothra’s legs were made radio-controlled.
The highlight of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is that the Titans both get to be good guys with help from the not-so-mythical Mothra if out of necessity against a joint foe that could potentially threaten humans. There is our action. The heart of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is Kong and cute as a button. Jia wants to find more of their kind since it is believed they are the last of his kind and her tribe. It is beautiful to watch their relationship as nonverbals (Kaylee Hottle’s deaf) speaking in ASL.
Speaking of nonverbal communication, Kong and the other primates are very expressive. Even Mothra emotes a variety of emotions. Godzilla’s emotions are kind of one-note just because of its facial structure, relying more on body language.
So, who are the stars of the show? Obviously, the Titans. Then, of course, Jia with Ilene, Brian Tyree Henry’s Bernie, who’s annoying until the third act, and Dan Stevens’ Trapper are major players. The other cast is essentially supporting or cameos.
Performing decently with audiences, next in the Monsterverse will be Godzilla x Kong 3, which is scheduled for release on March 26, 2027, and will explore their complicated relationship. Grant Sputore (Castaways series, I Am Mother 2019) will direct the film, replacing Adam Wingard. Dave Callaham, the writer of the first Godzilla, will pen the script.
Overall, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has your action and Kong-size heart wrapped in 115 minutes. So, do yourself a favor and pick up one of the physical formats this holiday season, or check it out on Max… because Cryptic Rock gives Godzilla Kong: The New Empire 5 of 5 stars.
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