What is Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire?

It’s the latest entry into Warner Bros. Pictures’ “MonsterVerse” films featuring Godzilla and all his pals, plus King Kong. It’s directed by Adam Wingard, returning from Godzilla vs. Kong, and is written by Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, and Jeremy Slater. Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle, and Brian Tyree Henry reprise their roles as People from Godzilla vs. Kong, and are now joined by Dan Stevens, Rachel House, and Fala Chen as More People. 

 

What’s up with the “x” in the title? 

I don’t know. The correct punctuation is an ampersand, the “x” makes it seem things are about to get super freaky in the MonsterVerse. 

What is Godzilla x Kong about?

On one level, it’s about noise. On another, it’s about King Kong teaming up with his spiky punk boyfriend to save the world.

 

We’re still acting like Godzilla is a hero, huh? Did these people not see Godzilla Minus One?

That’s two questions. America and by extension Hollywood are completely incapable of reckoning with America’s use of nuclear power in wartime, so yes, Godzilla is still, technically, a hero. Doing lots of collateral damage while he’s at it, but saving the world, in the end. Comparing this film to Godzilla Minus One is like comparing a poodle to a Doberman. They’re both dogs, but that’s where the similarity ends. Godzilla Minus One is part of Japan’s actual cultural myth about nuclear devastation. Godzilla x Kong is part of someone’s balance sheet, and nothing more.

 

Is the movie at least enjoyable?

Maybe? There was a LOT of audience applause during my screening, though I should point out the type of people likely to be invited to an advanced screening are the type of people to be pre-disposed to liking the movie. But still. I haven’t heard so much audience applause since Avengers: Endgame.

Whoa. Does that make this the MonsterVerse Avengers?

Kind of! Some of the monsters do team up to fight other monsters. I will say this—the monster design is VERY good, and it is very easy to tell everyone apart. That is not to be taken for granted in movies like this.

On a scale of “Cousin Matthew” to “The Guest”, how hot is Dan Stevens?

Pretty hot! Also, he’s obviously having a lot of fun. He brings some much-needed bonkers energy to a film that is extremely silly yet determined to take itself seriously. Brian Tyree Henry also goes above and beyond in the comic relief stakes.

 

How weird is it that these films have now completely divorced Kong from his roots as a symbol of America’s colonial past, history of anti-Black racism, and minstrelsy in entertainment?

No more weird than divorcing Godzilla from his roots as a symbol of obliterating nuclear power, but still, very weird. Godzilla and Kong are two of the most famous monsters in cinema that each represent very specific things, and these MonsterVerse films have now turned them into, basically, Transformers. They represent nothing more than excellence in VFX and sound design. People seem to dig it, though. Probably doesn’t say anything good about people.

Is there any hope for this franchise to be less silly again?

Probably not. Kong: Skull Island is pretty good, but then, it uses Kong as a symbol of something (America’s fruitless effort in the Vietnam War). That’s the last time these movies tried to be about anything. The folks behind these films seem pretty dead set on just mashing their toys together in lieu of any real storytelling. Like I said—Transformers. 

 

Is there anything we should know about Godzilla x Kong before seeing it?

There’s a lot of weird sexual tension between Godzilla and Kong, seems like they’re about to kiss several times. All that sexy dance fighting in the desert, Kong longing for a family, Godzilla setting up his central Rome apartment, they’re THIS close to enacting the most epic enemies to lovers arc of all time. 

WHA—

That’s our time! 

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opens exclusively in theaters from March 29, 2024.