Monarch: Legacy of Monsters movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

This thrilling series of epic Titans premieres at the New York Comic Con on October 13 and then on Apple TV+ on November 17, 2023. Each part of the limited series will be released in later weeks.

RATING: PG-13

LENGTH: 10 episode, 1 hour each

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is set after the epic battle between Godzilla and the Titans, revealing to humanity that monsters are real. One family tries to uncover the buried secrets that link their legacy to Godzilla and a secret organization called Monarch.

The studio invited me to preview the first 5 episodes and now I’m hooked. I’ll have to wait to see how it ends at the same time as you do!

THINGS I LIKED:

I’ve been a fan of Kurt Russell ever since I was a little girl. I love that this movie series unites him with real-life son, Wyatt Russell! They play the same character, decades apart. Wyatt sure looks like both his dad and his famous mom, Goldie Hawn.
Other cast members include Christopher Heyerdahl, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Mari Yamamoto, and Ren Watabe.
You can’t have a movie about Godzilla without going to Japan! It’s such a lovely country. We took our family there a few years ago and were so impressed with the people, landscapes, culture, food, and beauty. We also get to travel to Alaska.
The movie begins with a look at Kong Skull Island. You can see my movie review at https://moviereviewmom.com/kong-skull-island-showcases-a-new-scary-kong-and-other-imaginative-monsters/ You don’t need to have seen the movie before this one to enjoy this series.
There are some fun set pieces and a fun variety of new creatures of all sizes and shapes.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some viewers might get confused by the timeline because of all of the flashbacks, even though there are time and location cards on the screen between some of the scenes.
We usually have to wait until the end of the episode to see any monsters.
So many of the characters are super cocky, stubborn, and annoying. They spend most of their time arguing with each other.
It definitely feels like a soap opera at times.
More humor would make it better and balance out all of the drama.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

There are some realistic looking monsters
We see some creepy images of dead bodies
Some profanity
Lots of destruction
A lesbian couple is featured. We see them in bed together and kissing in public.
We see an unmarried heterosexual couple in bed together within hours of meeting.

THEMES:

Family
Secrets
Monsters
Infidelity
Fear
Government secrets and projects

FUNNY LINES:

“Come on. Time for some science shixx.” – Young Lee Shaw (Wyatt Russell)
“Are you insane?” – Cate (Anna Sawai) “You never drove with your grandmother!” – Lee Shaw (Kurt Russell)
“Don’t think of it as old. Think of it as vintage.” – May (Kiersey Clemons)

INTERESTING LINES:

“Seems like we’re out here hunting for the same thing.” – Bill Randa (Anders Holm) “And what’s that, Mr. Randa?” – Keiko (Mari Yamamoto) “Truth.” – Bill Randa (Anders Holm)
“Mr. Randell, you said you study myths, stories.” – Keiko (Mari Yamamoto) “I’m interested in why people tell the stories they tell.” – Bill Randa (Anders Holm)
“If we hide who we are and what we’re trying to do, then what’s the point of trying to do it at all?” – Keiko (Mari Yamamoto)
“A lie and a secret are two different things.” – Keiko (Mari Yamamoto)
“Let me tell you a secret. You don’t appreciate your life so much until you’re afraid to lose it.” – Lee Shaw’s friend