“Godzilla vs. Kong”: Spectacular action packed into a dumb story

“Godzilla vs. Kong”
Spectacular action packed into a dumb story

The name of “Godzilla vs. Kong” says it all.

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“Godzilla vs. Kong” is perhaps not particularly sophisticated, but celebrates the return of cinema all the more visually.

If the title of a film already promises a battle between two giants, then the viewer usually wants to see exactly that. In this respect, “Godzilla vs. Kong”, which will finally bring the bombast back to German cinemas from July 1st, definitely delivers. At least whenever a poorly added secondary theater of war to accommodate a few well-known human characters in the plot does not distract from it.

The fight of the millennium – that’s what it’s all about

Who is the “King of the Monsters”? This question inevitably resulted in the eponymous duel “Godzilla vs. Kong”. It is true that mankind has done everything to keep the oversized arguers away from each other. A risky mission led by scientist Dr. Nathan Lind (Alexander Skarsgard, 44) and Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall, 39), in order to develop a powerful source of energy, brings the two titans close together. Because said energy source is in the hollow earth, a dangerous area far below the earth’s crust and the original home of Kong. But to get there in the first place, the instincts of the giant primates as an animal navigation system are necessary.

At the same time, the bustling Godzilla is also causing great concern for mankind. Seemingly indiscriminately, he attacks cities regardless of loss. Could he not be the protector of humanity after all? Or is there some other reason for his orgies of destruction? Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown, 17), who since the events of “Godzilla II: King of the Monsters” is more concerned with the well-being of the giant lizard, wants to get to the bottom of the truth.

Two beasts in the knockout round

Like two halves of a tournament tree, the films “Kong: Skull Island” are staged in the intro on one side and the two “Godzilla” strips on the other. A quick run-through of all the other giants that Kong and Godzilla have each put an end to before they now meet in the finale. Tumb, but atmospheric.

With this premise, director Adam Wingard (38, “Blair Witch”) and screenwriters Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein also had a huge problem to circumvent. How do you make sure that the audience doesn’t have to wait a full two hours for the first round of the promised title fight for the title monsters? Quite simply: by the human protagonists suggesting outrageous plans to each other, which are then put into action without complaint. That may not always be elegant, but it helps the film to its first optical highlight: a fist fight between Godzilla and Kong. On an aircraft carrier. In the middle of the ocean. Round one goes to …

An unnecessary subplot and two hearts winners

In the main plot of the film, two clear winners of hearts emerge, literally. With the monsters it is the amazingly caring giant ape, with the humans it is the little Jia, a native of Skull Island, portrayed by the deaf-mute actress Kaylee Hottle (9). The dissimilar duo communicate with each other via sign language and yet manage to create emotions in the midst of all the riot. The supposedly big names on the movie poster, Skarsgard and Hall, on the other hand, remain very pale.

The flick’s biggest weakness, however, is the subplot surrounding Millie Bobby Brown’s search for the truth in the Godzilla case. Not only does it seem unnecessarily silly and clapped, but it also brings with it an insight that is actually not one. Lo and behold: the seedy fellow who has commissioned the search for the mysterious source of energy and likes to wave a glass of whiskey to underscore his twilightness, the well-being of the giant monkey is not that important.

It seems as if one has been desperately looking for a way to give at least one character from the previous films a leading role. But instead of cheering on Madison, the lizard whisperer, you repeatedly find yourself wishing that the plot should switch back to the monkey theater as quickly as possible. For the “Stranger Things” star, this is an ungrateful situation.

Conclusion:

“Godzilla vs. Kong” is best when it focuses on the promised knock in the title. It should be clear to everyone that no new “Citizen Kane” – or rather “Citizen Kong” – can be expected in a film of this kind. A little more effort in the plot would still have been desirable. Despite all this criticism, “Godzilla vs. Kong” is exactly the right film to usher in the comeback of cinema. You have to experience this bombast on the big screen.

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