Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

King Kong and Godzilla reunite, or rather initially try to kill each other before fighting alongside against a bigger threat, in the Monsterverse's latest installment, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. When Kong explores more of Hollow Earth he discovers a tribe of his own species ruled by Skar King, a tyrannical ape who plans to use his army and an ice breathing monster he tortures to take over the surface of Earth. Initially beaten by Skar, Kong must reluctantly get help from a newly upgraded Godzilla in order to defeat him. All the while, Monarch has discovered survivors from the ancient tribe that lived in Skull Island and with their mystical abilities and a new enhanced glove for Kong, they aid in the Titans' fight. This film is over the top, silly, and really loves to pay homage to the sillier aspects of the 1960s and '70s Godzilla entries. The writing from Terry Rossio, Simon Barrett, and Jeremy Slater is not afraid to dabble into the absolute craziness that giant monster movies can be. Although a lot of the human based story is not as memorable as the monster stuff, their writing does manage to connect them to the Titans better than some other entries in the franchise. Plus it introduces Trapper, a veterinarian for Titans perfectly and delightfully portrayed by Dan Stevens giving off a bit of Ace Ventura. Director Adam Wingard returns from Kong and Godzilla's previous team up and outdoes himself when it comes to the monster battles. Whereas he previously gave the franchise a dark and serious tone with very standard fights, with this entry Wingard gives it the big budget equivalent of what the late Shōwa era would have been like. Giving Godzilla an upgrade that makes him pink, a robotic gauntlet that enhances Kong's strength, Mothra being summoned to aid the title characters, and at one point having the Hollow Earth fight happen in zero gravity is just the perfect amount of nonsense. Alongside Stevens you also get good performances from Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, and a standout from Kaylee Hottle. Sometimes it's okay for a movie to just be a fun silly spectacle, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is that at its best. Over all: 94%

2024 top list so far:

1. Dune: Part 2

2. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

3. The Book of Clarence

4. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

5. Drive-Away Dolls

6. Kung Fu Panda 4

7. Lisa Frankenstein

8. Argylle

9. Mean Girls 2024