Review: Godzilla vs. Kong

Godzilla vs. Kong is an ultimately silly but exciting super knockout experience. Not wasting any time and living up to its title, Godzilla vs. Kong packs in the giant monster action we've all been waiting for.

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Godzilla vs. Kong marks as the fourth film in Legendary's MonsterVerse — Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters — delivering the hype as a vibrant boxing match between our two most famous monsters in cinematic history. The plot is pretty simple, and that's okay: Legends collide in as these mythic rivals meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a dangerous journey to find his true home, Hollow Earth, but they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla. Thus, beginning an epic clash between the two Titans. Dr. Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgård) and Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) are Kong's guide back to his original home, along with Andrews' adopted daughter, Jia (an exceptional Kaylee Hottle). Jia is deaf and has formed a special bond with Kong through sign language as their gatekeeper.

Madison (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friend Josh (Julian Dennison), along with a Titan conspiracy theorist podcaster named Bernie (Brian Tyree Henry), follow Godzilla's path throughout the film. Madison knows that something is up with Godzilla and that his recent attacks do not add up. With the script material they are given, our actors use it to the best of their abilities to present an emotionally resonant film fueled by action and spectacle. The first encounter leads our two rivals to slug it out in the ocean on a U.S. Navy barge. The second and most pivotal encounter leads our two foes to slug it out in the middle of Hong Kong. Through neon glows and popcorn action, you're in for an adventure. Who wins? I won't ruin the surprise for you. But I will say that another past metal foe of Godzilla's comes out from the shadows.

As of April 16, 2021, Godzilla vs. Kong has grossed $80.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $309.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $390.2 million. So, it seems that we finally are starting to escape the trenches of this pandemic for the theater. We have a long way to go, but all it took to get us out of the rut was a giant ape punching a giant lizard in the face. Also, Samba TV reported that 3.6 million households watched at least the first five minutes of the film in the U.S., and 225,000 in the U.K. In the end, see it on the IMAX or watch it from the comfort of your home, as the fearsome Godzilla takes on the mighty Kong. Cheers! 

Godzilla vs. Kong is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) Destruction | Brief Language | Intense Creature Violence.

Avaiable to stream on HBO Max until April 30th.

Directed by Adam Wingard

Starring Godzilla and Kong, with special guest appearances by actors Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Kaylee Hottle, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler, and Demián Bichir.