This is Godzilla vs Kong, and it’s about time! (2021)
The overdue rematch has finally landed.
With no relation to the older Japanese 1963 film King Kong vs. Godzilla. The new Godzilla vs Kong (also titled) isn’t a remake of that film either. Instead, this film is a modern take on the idea of these two colossal and iconic monsters duking it out one more time.
This is officially the fourth film released under Legendary Studios, “Monsterverse.”
While not necessary to watch the films that came before to enjoy Godzilla vs Kong. Watching the other three films in the universe will allow you to better engage with the lore and better understand Monarch’s organization. Monarch is the main thread connecting these films.
Spoiler territory ahead
The movie mostly follows two main plot threads, and it’s set in the present day. As I mentioned earlier, we are entering spoiler territory.
Godzilla’s story
A few years after becoming the alpha monster at the end of Godzilla: King of the Monsters(2019). Godzilla has become a protector of the planet, and as such, there have been no more threats from the Titans (Monsterverse’s name for the giant creatures).
Then, one random day, Godzilla attacked a facility run by Apex Cybernetics. With no understanding of why Godzilla’s perception has changed, humanity quickly sees him as a threat.
Enter, Madison Russell played by Millie Bobby Brown, who refuses to believe Godzilla has turned bad and enlists her friend Josh played by Julian Dennison to help her track former employee and podcaster named Bernie. As mentioned, Bernie runs a podcast on conspiracy theories regarding the titans. Brian Tyree Henry brings a lot of comedic and heart to the movie with his portrayal. Together, it is their intent to find out what Apex is doing behind the scenes and prove Godzilla’s innocence.
Meanwhile, we turn our attention to Kong.
Kong’s story
During the first few minutes, we discover that Monarch has taken over Skull Island by building a containment cage over the island, trapping Kong inside with two intentions: one to study him and two to protect him from Godzilla’s threat.
Turning over to Apex, they enlist Dr. Nathan Lind, played by Alexander Skarsgård, to convince Kong’s primary caretaker and Monarch linguist, Dr. Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall, to use Kong to find Hollow Earth, a theoretical subterranean environment in Earth’s core where the Titans originate from. Sounds silly, I know.
Their intent is to use the power source at the core for their undisclosed internal purposes. Begrudgingly, Dr. Andrews agrees to the expedition, with the entrance to Hollow Earth being in Antarctica.
I did not mention this prior, but Dr. Andrews has adopted a deaf orphan by the name of Jia (played by Kaylee Hottle) Jia. A native from Skull Island, who secretly communicates with Kong via sign language. One of the movie’s best-developed human characters, in my opinion.
The expedition goes on full ahead sailing towards their destination, avoiding all of Godzilla’s known routes in the process. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned.
Round One (Godzilla vs Kong – Ocean Battle)
This is where Godzilla vs Kong starts to get exciting. In the middle of the ocean, Kong and the expedition team get intercepted by Godzilla. The entire following fight occurs in the open seas, Godzilla’s turf. While Kong is mildly sedated, out of his element, and clearly disadvantaged here, he still manages to pull a fight.
This is one very impressive battle with both sides hitting some good blows, all the spectacle accompanied by a magnificent score by Thomas Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL) hitting all the notes.
Godzilla almost drowns Kong, but he is released thanks to the human’s interception. Kong is mildly defeated by Godzilla, who refuses to submit. Cleverly thought by Dr. Lind, though, the humans decide to play dead by shutting off all noise, giving Godzilla the impression that he won, thus leaving the scene.
What next?
A couple of necessary plot movers happen at this point. Maddison and her return to the destroyed Apex facility to find themselves in a transportation device that brings them all the way to Hong Kong. Inside, they come across what looks like an arena. A Skullcrawler (last seen in 2017’s Kong: Skull Island) and a gigantic robotic monster introduce you to the Monsterverse version of Mecha Godzilla.
The giant robot quickly pulverizes the crawler but loses power and shuts down in the process. It is shown that it is being powered and controlled by a man inside using the remnants of Ghidorah’s severed head as the link. The same head that was seen on the end credits sequence at the end of Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
The Humans and Kong arrive in Antarctica, and after some convincing thanks to Jia, Kong decides to go inside through the portal while the humans follow. They make it through and arrive at Hollow Earth, confirming all the theories. What follows are a few excellent scenes where we meet other monsters, a new ecosystem, and some much-needed exposition.
Kong makes a lot of progress here, further fleshing out his character. Kong makes it to a room with a throne in it and finds an ax made out of a Godzilla member’s dorsal fin. It is learned that the war between Kong’s species and Godzilla’s species is not new and very ancient. This ancient battle could potentially be the basis of its own movie.
Round Two (Godzilla vs. Kong – City battle)
Back on the surface Godzilla sensing another threat makes it to Hong Kong in search of it. As this is happening, Kong discovers the power source inside the room. Apex reveals itself as another evil company and finally makes known to us why it needs the power source. To power their robot. I wonder if the company’s name, Apex, was inspired by the videogame Apex Legends.
Inside the throne, Kong uses the ax to light up and power the core; Godzilla reacts by sending a radioactive blast into the ground thus creating a passage through to Kong. After a few moments, Kong makes it to the surface to fight Godzilla once more.
Kong has a better chance of success away from the water and on an even playing field. What ensures is perhaps the best fight in the movie. Whether you are a fan of Godzilla or Kong. There is enough here to satisfy both sides. Being a fan of both monsters, I kept switching sides back and forth.
Kong initially wins, but Godzilla eventually takes the lead, where one of the movie’s best moments happens. Godzilla acknowledges Kong’s refusal to bow and shows respect towards Kong for his valiant effort and courage. Godzilla walks away. My favorite moment of the entire movie.
Terror of Mechagodzilla
MechaGodzilla is unleashed. Somehow, the energy from the core activated Ghidorah’s mind then took over the body of the mecha and inhabited it, killing the guy inside in the process. Thus turning Legendary’s MechaGodzilla into its own version of the MechaGodzilla mythos.
For those unaware, there have been multiple interpretations of who Mechagodzilla is since the character was first introduced in 1973. Perhaps another post for a different day.
Immediately Godzilla engages the mech; at an advantage initially but then slowly losing his footing. The tables start turning, and Godzilla is starting to lose this fight. It does not help that he’s fighting this mechanical clone after a long battle with Kong.
Meanwhile, Kong has fallen, and his heart is beating weakly and potentially dying in the process. Unless, of course, the humans do something about it. Dr. Lind gets the idea to use his Hollow Earth transportation vehicle to create a surge of electricity powerful enough to “power Las Vegas for a week.” Thus providing reviving Kong and providing him with the boost he much needed.
From this point, the movie goes from Godzilla vs Kong to Godzilla & Kong vs Mechagodzilla.
Godzilla loses the battle as the mech goes for the killing blow, only to be intercepted by Kong. Thus saving Godzilla’s life. The fight becomes a one-on-one with Kong as Godzilla musters the energy to get back into the fight. He eventually joins and is now on a tag team versus MechaGodzilla. Still, the mech is too strong and holds its own just well.
That’s when the second-best part of the movie happens. Godzilla helps Kong by blasting the ax with his gamma rays, thus powering it up and providing Kong with the ability to destroy their mutual enemy. Afterward, the monsters, both beaten and exhausted, stand once more thanks to Godzilla’s arrogance, but Kong, instead of engaging, drops the ax.
Godzilla finally accepts Kong and then swims away.
Sometime later, we find Kong living freely inside Hollow Earth, with the freedom of having a new home for himself where he can rule as King. At the same time, Godzilla can still be the alpha above the surface.
Final thoughts
Godzilla and Kong were portrayed effectively. Both the monsters look phenomenal, thanks to our current CGI standards. Each monster had its moments to shine (and for fan service). Their take on Mechagodzilla for this film also worked.
Kong gets far more character development out of the two monsters and is the more relatable creature. One can argue this is more of Kong’s movie than that of Godzilla’s, who, on the other hand, signifies a force of nature, often course-correcting humanity’s sins.
It is good to see that they finally confirmed the existence of Hollow Earth, which they have been hinting at since Skull Island. This allows for potential Kong sequels here since further stories set on Skull Island are no longer possible.
Unless, of course, it’s a prequel, but that in itself is rather pointless now – we have Kong: Skull Island(2017) for that. It’s a great movie in its own right.
On the other hand, Godzilla remains the alpha dog on the surface. Maintaining balance in this universe, lurking in the ocean’s depths, waiting, ever-present for when the next threat arrives (Godzilla 3 anyone?).
He is what he needs to be for the story: good, bad, or in between. Godzilla just is.
The human story was okay; the actors did the best they could with what they got. There is a small effort to make them memorable but in the end, the titular monsters are the main draw here. No one came to this movie to watch the humans. And by the time the credits rolled, you honestly don’t care where their story goes from there. This is Godzilla vs Kong. The director and the production staff fully understood this, and it shows.
Overall, it is a satisfying conclusion for both monsters.
END OF SPOILERS
Why watch Godzilla vs Kong?
At a run time of 1 hour and 53 mins, this is the shortest movie in the Monsterverse series thus far. That, however, is a good thing. Godzilla vs. Kong is full of momentum and does not waste time with its protagonists.
If you don’t care for giant monsters or monster movies in general, feel free to skip it. But this film is for you if you are looking for good monster action with destruction and mayhem, whether you call yourself a fan of Godzilla, Kong, or both.
Godzilla vs. Kong is the kind of movie you want to watch on an IMAX screen. The special effects, the destruction, the stakes are spectacular. The soundtrack is intense and fitting for this type of movie.
I highly encourage you to watch it.
If Legendary were to make more Godzilla or Kong films, who do you think could be the next foe ?- feel free to comment; I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Don’t forget to check out my post on their first bout.
