Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire - movie Review

Jeremy Jahns

28 Mar 202407:11

Summary

TLDRThe video script offers a candid review of 'Godzilla Cross (X) Kong,' emphasizing the film's focus on Kong over Godzilla, and critiquing its narrative and visual effects. The reviewer notes the film's continuation of the Godzilla versus Kong storyline, with a humorous take on its script inconsistencies and CGI reliance. Despite its flaws, the script acknowledges moments of fun and action, mixed with a critique of the human elements within the story. The review concludes with a personal stance on rewatching the film, hinting at a preference for experiencing it in a more relaxed, possibly inebriated state, to fully enjoy its chaotic charm.

Takeaways

🎥 The film 'Godzilla cross Kong' (presumed title) continues the 'Godzilla vs. Kong' series, with a notable emphasis on Kong's character over Godzilla.
👾 The movie is perceived as a high-budget, CGI-intensive project, resembling a 'Grade B' film in its execution and narrative style.
🔍 There's criticism of the script, suggesting it feels improvised and lacks coherence at times.
👊 Kong is highlighted as the MVP, having more character development and screen presence compared to Godzilla.
🤝 The movie involves a team-up between Godzilla and Kong, rather than pitting them against each other as in previous films.
💢 Action scenes are fast-paced, with a lot of emphasis on destruction and CGI effects.
🎬 Directed by Adam Wingard, who also directed 'Godzilla vs. Kong', maintaining continuity within the franchise.
📉 The human characters and subplots received mixed reactions, with some performances seen as engaging, while others detracted from the overall experience.
🎵 The film's soundtrack, featuring 80s synth music, contributes to its unique vibe and atmosphere.
📚 There's an underlying comparison with other monster movies and references to potential influences like 'Primal Rage' and 'Congo'.

Q & A

What does the X stand for in 'Godzilla X Kong' according to the script?
-The 'X' in 'Godzilla X Kong' is interpreted to stand for 'cross,' similar to the usage in 'Street Fighter X Tekken,' indicating a crossover or collaboration between characters.
Who is highlighted as having the majority of screen time in 'Godzilla X Kong'?
-Kong is highlighted as having the majority of the screen time in 'Godzilla X Kong,' although Godzilla also plays a significant role.
What continuity does 'Godzilla X Kong' belong to?
-'Godzilla X Kong' is in the continuity of 'Godzilla vs. Kong,' continuing story elements such as the journey to the center of the Earth.
What critique does the script offer about the character development of Godzilla and Kong?
-The critique offered is that Kong is given more character and soul, making him the MVP of the movie, while Godzilla is seen more as a mere monster with less momentum and character development.
According to the script, what kind of movie does 'Godzilla X Kong' resemble?
-According to the script, 'Godzilla X Kong' is likened to a very expensive, high-budget Grade B movie, with a particular emphasis on CGI and action.
How does the script describe the action sequences in 'Godzilla X Kong'?
-The action sequences in 'Godzilla X Kong' are described as fast and filled with CGI, requiring quick eyes to catch all the details.
What aspect of the film is criticized for lacking depth, according to the script?
-The script criticizes the depth of the movie's script and some of its creative decisions, suggesting that some elements felt made up on the spot or lacking in logic.
Is there a specific scene or aspect of 'Godzilla X Kong' that the script praises?
-Yes, a scene involving Kong and other apes, which is described as having no dialogue but effectively conveying a conversation, is praised for its ability to showcase character without words.
What tone does the script suggest 'Godzilla X Kong' aims for, and how successful is it?
-The script suggests that 'Godzilla X Kong' aims for a hybrid tone that would fit in with movies from around 1984-1985, but it notes that the film sometimes struggles to find the right balance.
How does the script ultimately rate the re-watchability of 'Godzilla X Kong'?
-The script implies that 'Godzilla X Kong' might not be highly re-watchable for the reviewer, suggesting they would not choose to watch it again sober, indicating it might be more enjoyable under the influence.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 Review and Analysis of Godzilla Cross Kong

The script discusses the movie 'Godzilla Cross Kong', highlighting its disregard for collateral damage and its place within the Godzilla vs. Kong continuity. Directed by Adam Weard, the film is critiqued for being more of a Kong movie, with Godzilla playing a lesser role. Despite being a team-up, Kong is seen to dominate screen time, a potential disappointment for Team Godzilla fans. The movie's script is criticized for its implausibility, yet it is acknowledged that Kong's character development and the portrayal of his interactions with other apes are strengths. The review humorously notes the film's embrace of its B-movie qualities and the mix of high-budget CGI with a script that sometimes feels made up on the fly. The incorporation of psychic elements and seismic activity as plot devices is questioned, and the overall impression is that while the movie has its moments, it ultimately feels like a chaotic blend of various influences, with a nod to potential for non-human-centered storytelling in future projects.

05:00

🍿 Character Focus and Human Element in Godzilla Cross Kong

This paragraph shifts focus to character dynamics, particularly praising Kong as the standout with the most presence and depth. The movie attempts to humanize Kong, showing him as not just a beast but a character with emotional layers, likened humorously to wielding a Power Glove. The human characters, played by Brian Tyree Henry and Dan Stevens, are commended for their engaging banter, which keeps the human side of the story interesting. However, the script critiques the addition of more human characters as detrimental, likening their quality to subpar '90s TV. The narrative's logic and the seemingly improvised nature of the storyline are criticized, suggesting a disconnection with the audience's expectations for coherence. Despite moments of enjoyment, the reviewer expresses a lack of interest in rewatching the film, suggesting it might be more enjoyable under the influence, hinting at its missed potential. The comparison of thematic elements like freezing and empires in blockbuster movies is made, ending with an invitation for viewers' opinions on the film and its place within the Godzilla-Kong series.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Godzilla cross Kong

This term refers to a film that is part of the Godzilla versus Kong continuity, indicating a crossover or collaboration between the two iconic monsters, Godzilla and Kong. Unlike the 'versus' format that suggests a battle between the two, the 'cross' signifies a team-up for a common cause. The script mentions confusion around the title's interpretation, comparing it to 'Street Fighter cross Tekken', a video game that brought characters from two franchises together. This movie is highlighted as a sequel where Godzilla and Kong collaborate, moving away from their previous confrontational dynamics.

💡Continuity

Continuity in the context of this video script refers to the ongoing storyline or universe shared by a series of films, in this case, the Godzilla versus Kong series. The script mentions how 'Godzilla cross Kong' fits into this continuity, suggesting that events and elements from previous films, such as the journey to the center of the Earth and encounters with monsters, are relevant and impact the narrative of this new installment. This creates a cohesive universe where stories and character developments carry over from one movie to the next.

💡Lion Share of screen time

The phrase 'Lion Share of screen time' refers to Kong receiving the majority of attention and development in the movie, as opposed to Godzilla. This choice by the filmmakers to focus more on Kong is highlighted in the script to discuss character dynamics and screen presence. While Godzilla plays a significant role, the narrative and emotional depth are primarily driven through Kong, making him the central figure of this installment.

💡Character momentum

Character momentum refers to the development and engagement of a character within the movie's narrative. In the script, it is mentioned that Godzilla lacks momentum compared to Kong, who is shown having more depth and character development. This concept is crucial for understanding how characters evolve and interact within the story, affecting the audience's investment and connection to the characters. Kong's character momentum is highlighted through his actions, emotions, and interactions with other characters.

💡CGI

CGI stands for Computer-Generated Imagery, a significant aspect of modern filmmaking used to create visual effects. In the context of the script, CGI is mentioned in relation to the high-budget and visually impressive aspects of the movie, particularly the depiction of monsters like Godzilla and Kong. While the script critiques elements of the movie, the quality and impact of the CGI are noted as commendable, contributing to the spectacle and enjoyment of the film.

💡Script

In the video script, 'script' refers to the written text of the movie 'Godzilla cross Kong', including dialogue, action descriptions, and story structure. The script is critiqued for its perceived weaknesses, particularly in terms of narrative coherence and dialogue. Moments in the movie that seem improvised or poorly explained are attributed to script issues, highlighting the importance of a well-crafted script in achieving a compelling and coherent narrative.

💡Visual effects

Visual effects, often abbreviated as VFX, refer to the creation of imagery using computer graphics (CG) in filmmaking. The script praises the visual effects in 'Godzilla cross Kong' for their quality, despite criticizing other aspects of the film. The VFX play a crucial role in bringing the titanic characters of Godzilla and Kong to life, enhancing the action scenes and the fantastical elements of the movie's setting.

💡Empire

The term 'Empire' in the script likely refers to a thematic or narrative element in 'Godzilla cross Kong' involving dominion, control, or a significant conflict centering around an empire. While not detailed extensively in the provided text, it suggests an overarching plot or setting element that contributes to the movie's stakes and the motivations of the characters or factions within the story.

💡Psychic messages

Psychic messages in the script refer to a plot device where characters receive or send information through psychic or supernatural means. This concept is critiqued in the script as an example of the movie's reliance on less plausible elements to drive the narrative, contrasting more grounded or realistic explanations like seismic activity. Psychic messages are used to advance the plot or explain characters' actions, reflecting the film's fantastical elements.

💡Hybrid of tone

The 'hybrid of tone' mentioned in the script refers to the movie 'Godzilla cross Kong' mixing different styles or atmospheres, such as serious action with moments of humor or light-heartedness. This blending can affect how the audience perceives the film, making it feel like a combination of genres or influences. The script suggests that while this can work well, finding the right balance is challenging, and the movie sometimes struggles to maintain a consistent tone.

Highlights

The movie, Godzilla Cross Kong, disregards collateral damage, likening news reports to messages from Naboo with catastrophic death tolls.

Directed by Adam Weard, Godzilla Cross Kong continues the Godzilla vs. Kong continuity, focusing more on Kong.

Kong gets the lion's share of screen time, though Godzilla also plays a significant role in the movie.

The movie is seen as a high budget, CGI-heavy Grade B movie with emphasis on visual effects rather than script quality.

There's a critique of the script feeling improvised and a scene highlighting Kong's emotional depth without dialogue.

The concept of having a movie without human focus is discussed, suggesting a shift towards character-driven stories among monsters.

Godzilla Cross Kong is described as a hybrid of tones, finding its unique space while sometimes misstepping.

The action scenes are fast-paced, with a mention of the environmental and human costs being glossed over.

The film incorporates 80s synth music to enhance its desired vibe, aligning with the aesthetics of the era.

Godzilla's and Kong's team-up for the climax is highlighted as undeniably fun and engaging.

Human characters and their interactions receive mixed reviews, with some performances standing out more than others.

The movie's approach to narrative and character development is critiqued for feeling haphazard and unfocused.

Despite its flaws, the movie is considered entertaining under certain conditions, like being watched with friends or in a relaxed setting.

The review questions the originality of the movie's themes, especially regarding the use of freezing and empire-related plots.

The reviewer muses on the naming convention of Godzilla Cross Kong, relating it to Street Fighter Cross Tekken and its place in gaming history.