“The myths are real. There was a war. And they’re the last ones standing” 

This is what the hell I am talking about!!!!! This is the monster movie I use to imagine in my daydreams as an adolescent obsessed with prehistoric titans. Buildings getting pulverized, atomic breath piercing through the atmosphere, punches thrown, UFC style takedowns, and ancient enemies tearing up the screen in destruction heaven. Kong: Skull Island on steroids  retracing less of the human storyline and putting the emphasis on action, adventure, and the royal rumble of two cinematic monsters that have a storied past. The neon and stylized colors of Hong Kong that have a lengthy presence in the final battle cast a awe inspiring moment of visual brilliance. The visuals overall learned their lesson from the unimpressive, smoke filled, and non visible frames of King Of The Monsters and turn up the brightness giving a glorious look to the environments.

The sequence of the audience’s introduction to Hollow Earth and the big battle in Hong Kong stand as spectacular moments of action filmmaking and rank among the top of scenes that have been featured in the Monster-verse.  The lack of a compelling human story (which at best in this film is basic and easy what eventually happens) is a welcome change that doesn’t distract from the target goal of a monster battle film. I could see this being a big criticism for other critics but I don’t see the issue with the lack of attention being given to the humans. The guys that need the A level attention are the monsters; that’s what is going to get people to get their butts into a theater seat. The big screen was made for these kind of blockbusters. Dark and brooding tone is not the way for these films to be the best version of themselves. Godzilla vs Kong has achieved the full potential of this series blasting away my expectations with the force of a loud roar. Adam Wingard, you went off and I’m thankful for it!!! 

Black Nerd Sidebar: Nice to see an African American character with the name “Bernie”. I don’t know why but that’s school to see one of my people with a name like that. 


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