Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8/10
Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Fearns, Fala Chen, Rachel House, Ron Smyck, Chantelle Jamieson, Greg Hatton, Kevin Copeland, Tess Dobré, Tim Carroll, Anthony Brandon Wong, Sophia Emberson-Bain, Chika Ikogwe.
There is no doubt of the immensity of love that is felt worldwide for two of the biggest stars of the creature feature films of the last one hundred years, and whilst the audience may flock for a new gothic version of Dracula, the fact that the Japanese art, aided and enhanced to the blockbuster budgets afforded it by Hollywood, of Kaiju is always at the forefront of the genre thanks to the brilliance and appearance of Godzilla and the foresight of American filmmaker Merian C. Cooper, the eighth wonder of the world, King Kong.
The Monsterverse is gathering pace, but it seems that it is down to the bankability of Kong and Godzilla, especially by pairing them for a second time in a major film, that is keeping the idea of creature-features in vogue.
Godzilla X Kong is epic in its delivery, the sense of grandeur fills the screen, and even in the film’s more preposterous, unintentionally comic, especially the scene of the gargantuan pair running as if they are heroically tied to the Marvel or D.C. universe films, and only lacking a theme track adding the extra depth to give either of them the Captain America/Iron Man vibe they so obviously desire, the majesty remains.
As we approach the 100th anniversary of King Kong’s first cinematic appearance and Godzilla’s 80th birthday on screen, it is to be assured that the pair are held in such affection that they outshine the human element on screen, and whilst Dan Stevens and Rebecca Hall put in impressive performances, and Alex Fearns growls with sincerity in the role of the dour blowhard pilot Mikael, it is too the creatures, the icons of the silver screen, that our sentiments lay.
Large, brash, cinematically opulent, and a dignity unencumbered by historical values, this is the ferocity of ancient icons revalued and it is a fight worthy of their stature.
Godzilla X Kong is extreme and cool, rarely disappointing, true to its Monsterverse billing!
Ian D. Hall