Godzilla: King of the Monsters will satisfy those looking for a giant-sized monster bash, yet it’s the human element that weighs down this colossal titan from becoming king of the monster movie.
The relationship between man and beast has always been vital in the giant monster movie genre. One cannot think of King Kong without Fay Wray coming to mind as well. The reason is obvious: these colossal creatures – although intimidating and awe-inspiring – do not drive a story or give it any depth. They are the superstar player on the champion winning team. Yet that team goes nowhere without those role players putting in the grunt work. There is no terror if the stakes – primal, emotional, human – are not in play. For Godzilla: King of the Monsters, those stakes are minimal at best.
That is not to say that a good show cannot be presented. Directed by Michael Dougherty (Krampus) this second instalment in Legendary Films Godzilla reboot franchise is as spectacularly big and loud as they come, a blockbuster in name and size that features our favourite rampaging titans throwing down with wild abandon, setting up a shared universe with a promise of Godzilla v King Kong down the road.
But then the humans start talking. Yes, there is nothing like the domestic first world problems of an incredibly dysfunctional family to put a damper on the glory of watching a nuclear fuelled lizard monster take on a three headed dragon alien giant. This “human” element is like a pesky infection attacking its host. The personification of this is found in the Russell family, consisting of shouty angry scientist dad Mark (Kyle Chandler), quiet yet manipulative scientist mum Emma (Vera Farmiga), and emotionally confused teenage wannabe scientist Madison (Milly Bobby Brown). Their squabble is over an invention that can control the mind and mood of these colossal creatures battling for dominion of the Earth, which is in the hands of eco-terrorist Jonah Alan (Charles Dance in automatic villain mode). Rounding out the human cast is Ken Wattanabe as kaigu expert/groupie Ishiro; David Strathairn and his cement faced scowl; and a blink and you will miss her Sally Hawkins.
The human drama sub-plot is not only forgettable, but annoying in its distraction from the real show on offer: super-duper giant monsters laying waste to one another and the world. It is here that Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a success. Doughtery, along with the VFX wizards from the Moving Picture Company (among others), and an excellent sound team deliver giant-sized action set pieces that will rattle-bones and make mouths a-gap. Godzilla has never looked as ferocious, and a plethora of iconic monster characters (including Mothra and King Ghidorah) all make an impact both frightful and stunning.
A shared universe is in place here, and there is much potential for it to be good. All is needed is for those pesky humans to sit a few rounds out, and let these titans do what they do.
