Godzilla: King of the Monsters serves up several juicy Kaiju bashes. Everything else, unfortunately, is uninspiring.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters Synopsis
Five years after the events of the first movie, Monarch continues to be intensely scrutinised for their research of the Titans i.e. huge monsters believed to have previously dominated the planet. At Monarch’s base in Yunnan, Paleobiologist Emma Russell and her daughter are kidnapped by an eco-terrorist organisation, presumably for Emma’s creation of the Orca, a sonic device capable of manipulating the Titans. As Emma’s estranged husband, Mark, rushes to save them, the terrorists also free Monster Zero, an immensely powerful three-headed dragon that in turn awakens other Titans. With the major cities of the world then devastated by the rampaging Titans, Mark’s team realises that for humanity to survive, they will have to ally with a previous threat. So deadly is Monster Zero, or Ghidorah, only Godzilla is able to challenge its might.
Snappy Review
Since last year, I’ve reviewed three Godzilla movies, so I believe my view regarding them is clear. But to repeat:
- I’m not particularly fond of them. This is in spite of Godzilla being so representative of the later Showa Era. The era during which I permanently fell in love with Japanese pop culture.
- The above said, I don’t dislike them too. A Kaiju fight is a Kaiju fight. It’s thrilling as long as it’s done right.
- What I do dislike is when Godzilla movies try too hard to be philosophical. While the very first movie was intended as a metaphor for the post-WWII Japanese nuclear condition, what’s done in recent years often descends into the neurotic.
Regarding Godzilla: King of the Monsters, all I can say is that it’s:
- A majestic visual delight during the big fights. Even if effects frequently feel game-like.
- The story is one of those, “huh?!?!” deals. Implausible is a polite way of putting it.
- You really only need to remember the names of the two Big Gs. As in, Godzilla and Ghidorah. The rest of the characters are that forgettable.
In other words, the movie isn’t awful, as long as you’re there for the fights and nothing else. To be fair, I should highlight the acting isn’t that unbearable too; it’s more of a case of actors working with … nothing?
Oh, there is one other good thing about this movie. Rambling narrative aside, it’s at least not as academic thesis-like as Godzilla: The Planet Eater was.
The “explanation” for the big conspiracy does veer dangerously towards that situation in the beginning. Luckily, Big G put a stop to it in time. Big G, with some help from his eternal rival, the ever cantankerous King G.
Read my other Snappy Movie Reviews.
