If you’ve been searching for a deep human storyline in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Unlike its predecessors, this film (currently the second highest-grossing movie of 2024) focuses mainly on showcasing its towering titans while casting its human characters to the sidelines. Yet, it wasn’t always this way for the MonsterVerse.
In 2014, Gareth Edwards directed a reboot of Godzilla, which was celebrated for its Spielbergian feel. Post Edwards’ departure, Michael Dougherty took over, bringing his expertise from directing horror staples like Trick ‘r Treat. This film was filled with awe-inspiring kaiju sequences, especially Mothra’s birth and Rodan’s fiery emergence.
Dougherty breathes life into Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The film features some of the most exciting kaiju sequences in the entire franchise. From Mothra’s birth to Rodan’s breathtaking emergence from a mountain, Dougherty captures the essence of these legendary creatures. His portrayal of King Ghidorah as a divine being battling fierce monsters left audiences spellbound across various global locations.
The earlier films offered glimpses into their larger-than-life characters through human perspectives. For example, Bryan Cranston’s role as a dedicated scientist in the 2014 reboot highlighted this narrative technique.
This installment shifted away from that approach. As King of the Monsters unfolds, we see less focus on cinematic artfulness. By the film’s climax, battles between these giants featuring impressive laser effects are prominent but become repetitive.
The trend towards sidelining human characters also became more apparent with each subsequent film. Characters like Vera Farmiga and Charles Dance’s eco-terrorist leader deliver memorable performances amidst otherwise lackluster roles.
A highlight is Ken Watanabe returning as Dr. Serizawa who bravely sacrifices himself to revive Godzilla by detonating a nuclear device – this touches on Godzilla’s origins and Japan’s post-WWII trauma.
The escapism within these films has only become more pronounced. In Godzilla x Kong, scenes even feature gravity-defying battles between titans. Despite flashy battles, there is now minimal depth left for human elements – it marks an inevitable transformation of what MonsterVerse has ultimately become.
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