Godzilla vs. Kong 2021

MOVIE TITLE: Godzilla vs. Kong 2021

Available NOW in select theaters and on IMAX and on HBO Max March 2021

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 1 hour 53 minutes (the shortest film in the MonsterVerse)

IN A NUTSHELL:

Welcome back to Skull Island and the 4th installment of the cinematic MonsterVerse! This is the first time that an American movie features two of the greatest monster icons of all time battling it out to see who is going to be the alpha titan. This is also the first time in 59 years to feature both of them. This sequel is supposed to take place 5 years after Godzilla: King Of The Monsters and 51 years after Kong: Skull Island. This fun monster action movie is directed by Adam Wingard with a scale that is ridiculously epic.

THINGS I LIKED:

I loved the beginning of the movie. It showed a great sense of humor and a reminder of why we love King Kong so much. He looks as majestic and awesome as ever. I can’t be the only one who thinks Kong is better than Godzilla, right? I know, I know…Godzilla can fight on land AND sea AND shoot lasers, but still…I wanted Kong to beat him up during the entire movie. This is NOT a spoiler! That simulated, digital habitat the humans created for him was cool and unexpected. It reminded me of the one they created in The Hunger Games.
Incredible visual effects! We’re sooo spoiled. The monsters look so sophisticated and detailed. If you can, try to see Godzilla vs. Kong in theaters on a big screen. I know…Covid. Just saying.
You don’t have to wait very long at all to see King Kong and Godzilla, at first separately, of course.
There’s a fun and humorous musical soundtrack by composer Junkie XL, who had actually written music for Godzilla just for fun because he’s such a fan.
When interviewed, Alexander Skarsgard explained that he was delighted to try a different kind of movie, especially after some of the dark films he has been in lately. He was also excited to work with director Adam Wingard, whom he described as “smart, lovely, and incredible with actors.”
Kaylee Hottle plays an adorable deaf girl in the movie who befriends King Kong and is able to communicate with him. Her family in real life is actually deaf. Her presence and story is super sweet and touching.
The movie ends with a clear winner, something fans of both titans have never seen!
Brian Tyree Henry and Julian Dennison provide most of the humor in the movie, which is necessary because the majority of the film is extremely serious and dramatic.
Great sound effects. I got a kick out of watching the massive titans face-off by roaring in each other’s faces.
Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Eiza Gonzalez, Demian Bichir, Kyle Chandler, and Lance Reddick give solid performances.
This is Shun Oguri’s first English-speaking movie.
Lots of new monsters to enjoy!
Acts 2 & 3 really deliver for the fans.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

As with all MonsterVerse movies, the human element lacks some oomph. The cast is huge, yet unnecessary. They’re there to carry the story, but what fans want to see is two massive monsters duking it out. Mission accomplished.
Cliched social commentary on corporate greed and power.
You can’t expect Boomers to make the right choices, can you? Of course not. Kids to the rescue.
I really liked British actress Millie Bobby Brown in ENOLA HOLMES so I was excited to see her in this. In this movie, she’s more of a feisty and intense teen with much less charm. Her American accent is impressive though!
New Zealander Julian Dennison has had much bigger roles in other movies. He was really great in Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Deadpool 2. His storyline with Millie Bobby Brown was just unneeded and even distracting.
There are quite a few storylines going on all at once.
So much neon! ha ha
Other than provide eye candy, the beautiful Eiza Gonzalez doesn’t really do much in the film.
No end credit scenes. (sniff sniff)

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

There is sign language spoken with subtitles that must be read.
Lots of destruction.
Lots of violence.
People die.

THEMES:

Hope
The power of nature
Greed
Power
Control
Home
Family

INTERESTING LINES:

“People, like creatures, can change.” – Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) It’s interesting that the actor Kyle Chandler has been in two completely unrelated Kong movies.
“I might have an idea, but it’s crazy.” – Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgard) “I love crazy. It’s made me very rich.” – Walter Simmons (Demian Bichir)
“Kong bows to no one.” -Jia (Kaylee Hottle)