'Godzilla vs. Kong' Review: Yes, I'm Still Team Kong

Kong bows to no one.

The latest MonsterVerse film is the highly anticipated Godzilla vs. Kong. Directed by Adam Wingard and written by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein, the movie follows the two most dominant alpha monsters on the planet as they clash with one another. Who will come out on top? Who will bow to the other? Or, is there something looming behind the shadows that’s bigger than both of them?

Both Godzilla and Kong are two of the most massive franchises in the world – with a total of 48 movies combined, the two drive the monster genre. Historically, the two have only met once prior to this movie. In 1962, King Kong vs. Godzilla released to the world and offered one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history:

1962's King Kong vs Godzilla was a real one. pic.twitter.com/iZlFigNm8g

— 「 Isaiah D. Colbert 」 (@EyeZehUhh) January 24, 2021

Cinema has come quite a long way, right?

The amount of times I’ve watched this video since it appeared on my Twitter is, well, a lot. Fortunately, the visual effects and action-packed fight scenes were much better in the modern rendition.

After the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on our world, Wingard’s film faced delays, like every other feature film. However, unlike the others that have since been released, Godzilla vs. Kong takes the gold.

Thankfully, everyone involved in the production understood how audiences do not care for the human characters. Unlike King of Monsters, the human drama and development were significantly reduced; that way, the focus lies in the clash between two of the mightiest forces of nature. Though I did enjoy seeing new and returning characters, especially Jia (Kaylee Hottle), they weren’t my main concern. I just wanted to see Kong and Godzilla.

This blockbuster delivers everything it promised – sound, visuals, chaos, and epic battles. The majority of the story focused on the rivalry between the two beasts, following their disastrous brawls where they beat the living hell out of each other and demolished Hong Kong. Well, at least creatures like this don’t exist in real life; otherwise, the clean-up in Hong Kong would be brutal.

The entertainment value is at an all-time high when these two are on screen together. There’s nothing better than seeing the most famous monsters meet face-to-face and aim to end the other. Truthfully, what this film comes down to is creating a two-hour flick that immerses viewers into another world and captivating their attention. Godzilla vs. Kong is not a high-brow type of story; instead, it establishes a fun and exciting environment. I had the opportunity to see this at one of my local theaters, specifically in a Dolby Cinema theater. Let me tell you, it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had at a movie theater.

Right from the start, audiences are engrossed in the story. The opening credits were fantastic and dazzled all in attendance. As for the music, wow. Junkie XL, as usual, does not disappoint. From “Hollow Earth” to “A New Language,” the score is a masterpiece. Also, since Kong: Skull Island took place in the 1970s and compiled an impressive soundtrack, it was only fitting that Godzilla vs. Kong continued that for the character.

Overall, the film was incredibly diverse. There was plenty of representation, including actors of Asian descent, authoritative female leads, and even a deaf actress who portrayed a deaf character. It is phenomenal to see the deaf community properly recognized and represented in the industry – this is only the beginning, so let’s hope for more!

Remember: #TeamKong for life.

Also, keep an eye out for that special cameo … it’s one you DON’T want to miss.

Godzilla vs. Kong is now in theaters and streaming exclusively on HBO Max until April 30. Be sure to check it out, but in the meantime, watch the trailer here!

This film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of creature violence/destruction and brief language.