By Daniel Paiz

*Minor spoilers at most are below. Primarily references to certain scenes and characters are mentioned. No big plot points are spoiled. Proceed at your own discretion if you plan to see Godzilla x Kong, but there are some ideas discussed that might increase your appreciation of the film as well.*

Lizards, Monkeys, Ancient Beings, Oh My!

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire picks up where Godzilla v. Kong left off. Kong is exploring his new digs in Hollow Earth while Godzilla roams about the surface world. Godzilla is battling each kaiju he encounters, building up his strength while also trying to level up via various forms of energy (radioactive forms mostly). Kong is still in search of family of his own kind, despite the pseudo-family he has with Jia (Kaylee Hottle) and Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall).

Monarch has expanded their research and surveillance of Titans across the planet. There are a lot of creatures on both land and sea. The US government is doing all they can to shut down Monarch. And, there might just be more in Hollow Earth than first realized.

Cypher Flicks is here to dive into several aspects of it, and to figure out whether or not you should check out this monster-filled blockbuster.

Underrated Characters

Director Adam Wingard is a bigger fan of Godzilla than Kong, but his expansion into the human element of the movie pays off. Jia, the last of the Iwi people from Skull Island, is going through growing pains now that she’s integrating into contemporary society and doesn’t have her Iwi community to lean on. Her visions of what’s to come have her struggling in this, and reflects Dr. Andrews’ uncertainty on how to help her. The mid-story reveal for Jia is a bit understated but crucial.

Without this reveal, there’s no explanation of what’s at stake should Skar King (another massive primate, but frankly evil) and company make it out of Hollow Earth. One of the best characters of the kaiju variety is paramount to the success of Godzilla, Kong, and humankind. Jia and her tribe have a prophecy involving this character, and it’s a solid way to tie in the youngster and the importance of the Iwi. If you’re familiar with important kaiju that aren’t an enemy to Godzilla, then this hint won’t fly past you.

Iwi is a term meaning a tribe or group one identifies with in Māori society. There are many that exist in New Zealand, and the term and meaning has changed over time. The group portrayed in this film come off as partially mystical, but also keenly aware of how humankind is impacted by the conflicts of kaiju.

Often times humans have induced the arrivals of some kaiju, but humanity has largely ignored that; well, until Hollow Earth has arrived. Wingard uses the Iwi as a bridge between people and kaiju. This connection could have been done with slightly less mysticism surrounding the Iwi.

The inspiration of Godzilla: Minus-One feels slightly present in how Wingard works to make the audience care about the humans. There is good work done on the growing pains of Jia and how her adoptive mother has a few lessons to learn. The return of Bernie Hayes (Brian Tyree Henry) is also solid in that Hayes is like any audience member put into these situations: excited and terrified.

He too has some stuff to work through, as the only Black character in this story has to deal with the internet not believing he was involved in the events of Hong Kong. His livelihood is sharing info about kaiju and what’s happening with them. His firsthand accounts being questioned has to be distressing and comes off like he’s being gaslit.

This leads to his quest to go to Hollow Earth and capture footage, until new comedic relief buddy Trapper (Dan Stevens) reminds him the damage the footage can do to the Iwi. The Titan vetrinarian is fun at times and plays a helpful role in the final showdown but feels a bit extra. Cutting the main human core to Jia, Dr. Andrews and Hayes might’ve been a better bet, but Trapper isn’t without his charm.

To See or Not To See

If you enjoy giant creatures, or kaiju, fighting each other, teaming up, and determining the fate of the Earth via punching, then this film is for you. If you appreciate kaiju fighting each other and then Kong snarfing down a challenger or two, then you want to watch this. Working through growing pains between parent and child is wholesome here and ties in rather well with their familial care towards Kong.

The main human hero of the film, Jia, reminds viewers the importance of Sign Language. There’s also the most beautiful of kaiju to experience (definitely should know who I mean by now) on the big screen, and kaiju fans should appreciate this being. It cannot be understated how many kaiju there are in this film.

If you don’t like slightly forced comedic teamups with newer characters, than you might gripe about it. Some folks might not enjoy an indigenous group being linked to two important kaiju and being the ones who have been calling for help due to a rising threat from below. Watching the two headliners rip apart challengers and displaying those guts for all to see might be graphic to you.

A monster film where two rivals team up to battle ancient foes is a tasty recipe to me. Expecting grandstanding societal critiques, a film sans people, or a movie with deep double entendre is monstrous in itself. After all, earlier in 2024 films that were about bombs, toys, and reanimation of the dead were given awards, so it doesn’t appear overly complex films are in demand.