Film Review: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (哥斯拉x 金剛：新帝國) (2024) - USA
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critics Circle of Australia)
"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is a visually stunning but flawed addition to the Monsterverse franchise. Directed by Adam Wingard, the film brings together the iconic monsters Godzilla and Kong for another epic showdown. While the movie delivers exhilarating monster battles and impressive visual effects, it falls short in terms of its script and character development.
The film's greatest strength lies in its breathtaking visual spectacle. The battles between Godzilla, Kong, and their adversaries are a feast for the eyes, with stunningly detailed special effects that bring these colossal creatures to life. The grandeur and intensity of the monster encounters provide the film's most exciting moments, captivating audiences with their sheer scale.
However, the film's weak script and underdeveloped characters hinder its overall impact. The dialogue feels clichéd and lacks depth, serving primarily as a means to move the plot forward. The human cast, including Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and Dan Stevens, deliver competent performances, but their characters lack substance and fail to leave a lasting impression.
Additionally, the film's pacing suffers from an overcrowded plot, with new creatures and storylines introduced hastily without sufficient exploration. This results in a disjointed narrative that struggles to provide a cohesive and engaging experience for viewers.
In conclusion, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is a visually impressive but flawed film. While it offers thrilling monster battles and captivating visual effects, its weak script and shallow character development prevent it from reaching its full potential. Nevertheless, fans of the Monsterverse franchise may still find enjoyment in the spectacle provided by this latest installment. Other people can miss it.
I rated it 6/10
Reviewed in Cinemas, Hong Kong