Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire continues the Monsterverse saga, uniting Godzilla and King Kong against a previously unknown threat emerging from Hollow Earth. This new adversary poses a significant challenge, jeopardizing not only their existence but also the future of humanity.
As the sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong, released three years prior, this film represents the fifth installment in the Monsterverse, which began a decade ago with Godzilla. Directed once again by Adam Wingard, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was highly anticipated, building on the positive reception of its predecessor.
The film initiates promisingly, depicting King Kong’s solitary existence within the Hollow Earth and his battles against various formidable creatures. He appears to be suffering from a toothache and general malaise. On the Earth’s surface, we are re-introduced to the human protagonists; however, a notable absence is Millie Bobby Brown, who played a key role in the previous films, beginning with Godzilla: King of Monsters. This suggests a narrative focus primarily centered on King Kong.
Unfortunately, Godzilla’s involvement feels somewhat contrived, seemingly included solely to maintain the connection between him and King Kong within the shared universe. Mirroring its predecessor, the film clocks in at just under two hours. The core issue lies in the presentation of three distinct storylines that the screenwriters awkwardly attempt to merge into a cohesive climax. Consequently, the film suffers from a lack of narrative throughline, and despite technically proficient scenes, the overall impact is diminished, resulting in a viewing experience that is neither particularly exciting nor engaging. The enjoyable matinee atmosphere of the previous film is lost, leading to a sequel that ultimately feels lackluster and easily forgettable.
The impressive UHD edition of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, however, deserves recognition. The visuals are presented in 2160p with both Dolby Vision and HDR-10 support. The contrast is particularly striking during the exploration of the underworld, where the interplay of green hues and illuminating crystals creates a visually compelling environment. The Dolby Atmos sound design delivers a powerful auditory experience, and the clashes between the titans create an immersive, almost visceral sensation. The sound mixing during the final battle is especially noteworthy.
The disc includes a generous array of supplemental features, which is a welcome addition. The inclusion of commentary tracks is a definite positive. A notable omission, however, is the absence of a Blu-ray edition on a separate disc, a feature that was once standard but appears to be becoming increasingly rare.
In conclusion, while Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire does not quite reach the heights of its predecessor, the high-quality UHD presentation elevates the overall experience. This film is recommended for showcasing the capabilities of a well-equipped Home Cinema system.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence; our reviews are conducted with a focus on providing unbiased information to our readers and consumers.
