The biggest Kaiju giants are raging strong on HBO and Max! GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE, which debuted on HBO Saturday, July 13, but hit Max on July 04, is still the top trending movie on the streamer. It is a 2024 feature directed by Adam Wingard. Produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is the sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) and the fifth film in the Monsterverse franchise, also serving as the 38th film of the Godzilla franchise and 13th in the King Kong franchise. The film stars Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, and Fala Chen. Hall, Henry, and Hottle reprise their roles from the previous film. It is indeed colossal, but Godzilla Minus One is the Kaiju film to beat right now.
A whole milieu has been set up Stateside differently than the Japanese continuity. King Kong once resided on Skull Island but now exists in Hollow Earth a, land thriving under the Earth’s mantle. Godzilla patrols the surface taking on any Titan that challenges him either from below or from space. The radioactive lizard’s prowl of his grounds increases when a new presence is near. Godzilla has sought out new sources of radioactivity to strengthen him. Sure enough, Kong is challenged by an evil simian named Skar KIng and its ally Shimo, an ice Titan. King Kong then must lure Godzilla to aid him in crushing the foes before they reach the surface. However, the evil Kaiju do manage to get top-side and Rio de Janeiro is subjected to an Ice Age via Shimo’s powers. The Good Guys must rally, with the aid of Mothra, to win the day.
The movie won the day as well. This installment became the most successful film in the franchise taking in $570 million at the box office. Critically, it didn’t warrant much praise except for the great Kaiju action. Deadline stated that it likened the scenes with the Hollow Earth ape tribe to Planet of the Apes and noted that Godzilla, despite getting top billing and being referenced repeatedly in the film, mostly plays a supporting role. Plus, what was noted is the human characters were the same “one-dimensional caricatures” typically found in monster films. Coupled with the comparison to Godzilla Minus One, which was a raved-upon and Oscar-worthy film, GODZILLA X KONG, plays out as a typical Amercanized superhero movie.
But, if you are old enough and like me, any time a Kaiju appears is a good time thanks to the nostalgic factor of all the old Toho movies of yore. We leave you with the RT rating and the reminder that GODZILLA X KONG THE NEW EMPIRE is still playing strong on HBO/Max.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist…
