‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ (2019): An epic monster throwdown (review)

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“Godzilla” sought to revitalize the monster movie franchise in 2014 with an origin story reboot of the titular Godzilla. 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” returns to the universe with an epic monster throwdown. Once again, it’s an eye candy film that’s all about the action, which is just fine.
Paleobiologist Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) works for crypto-zoological organization Monarch, where she studies the so-called Titans. These monolithic creatures, such as Godzilla and King Kong once roamed the Earth, and now most lie dormant. Dr. Russell and her daughter Madison (Millie Bobby Brown) watch the birth of a larva, Mothra, which Emma soothes with a device dubbed the Orca, capable of emitting frequencies to influence a Titan’s behavior. However, Dr. Russell is interrupted by a group of eco-terrorists, led by Alan Jonah (Charles Dance) who kidnaps Madison and Dr. Russell.

In the aftermath of the kidnapping, Monarch scientists Dr. Vivienne Graham and Dr. Ishirō Serizawa seek out Emma’s estranged ex-husband Mark (Kyle Chandler) to assist in tracking down Madison and Emma. Monarch follows Godzilla to Antarctica where Jonah and his eco-terrorists have brought Dr. Russell with the intent to release a Titan nicknamed “Monster Zero.” Emma uses Orca to wake up the three-headed dragon which briefly grapples with Godzilla before fleeing. During the encounter, Mark realizes that all isn’t as it seems with the purported capture of his ex-wife.

Godzilla, while nowhere near new, benefits from a fresh depiction in the 2014 “Godzilla” film and its sequel “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.” Although there’s a subplot with family drama, the humans throughout the movie mostly serve as a framework for the juicy monster battles. “King of the Monsters” features a slew of well-known and cult classic Titans: The titular Godzilla of course, Rodan, King Ghidorah, Mothra, and King Kong. But it’s much more than an epic monster brawl. Rather, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” arrives as another installation in a promising franchise which includes not only 2014’s “Godzilla,” but 2017 flick “Kong: Skull Island.”

Effects truly shine with pure eye-candy with Titans duking it out in several arenas. A peek inside Godzilla’s lair glistens with regal splendor. Unfortunately, while CGI is masterful, crafting a resplendent look at its plentiful monsters, the narrative and script are beyond laughable. What few dramatic moments “Godzilla” holds fail to elicit any emotional response from viewers. The majority of its characters are dreadfully cliche. Charles Dance plays the one-dimensional eco-terrorist Alan Jonah, with Dr. Russell and her ex-husband Mark as the estranged couple. Bradley Whitford offers his talents as Monarch’s Dr. Rick Stanton, getting far too little screentime. As Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, Ken Watanabe infuses a bit of drama, though Watanabe’s talented acting still can’t quite save this jumbled mess of cliches and tropes which comprises the script.

Nevertheless, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” isn’t a total loss. It’s a solid popcorn film with exquisite effects, a booming score, and loaded in schlocky B-movie cheese. Crafting a MonsterVerse a la Toho or Universal is no small feat, and “King of the Monsters” arrives as the third film in the franchise. Despite its imperfections, it’s an entertaining enough romp though mostly for the grandiose monster battles.