REVIEW: GODZILLA-KING OF THE MONSTERS

4/5

Monster Mash.

132 Mins. Starring: Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Bradley Whitford, Sally Hawkins, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Aisha Hinds, O'Shea Jackson Jr., David Strathairn, Zhang Ziyi & Ken Watanabe. Director: Michael Dougherty.

Tokyo, 2020. Japan is set to host the XXXII Olympic Games, whilst this writer looks to make the Far East his home. But the calender for the biggest showdown of next year plays for 'Godzilla vs Kong' and who will truly take the gold podium as 'King Of The Monsters' in the crowning beast of monster movies. But until then this 'Godzilla' movie will light up a neon trail to its destruction. Ever since making his rubber suit debut in Ishirō Honda's 1954 classic, this Kaiju has reigned king for over a half century and a pack a wallop, whopping 32 movies. Not to mention comic-books, graphic novels and most recently a three part Netflix amazing anime that concluded this year. Perhaps the truest to recent Tokyo type remains 2016's Japanese resurgence of the ultimate 'Shin Godzilla'. Although those in Hollywood lay claim to the 2014 'Godzilla' epic that had the lizard hide to break bad and pull a sheet over superstar actor Bryan Cranston in the film's first act. Leaving Quicksilver spoiler Aaron Taylor-Johnson along with his Scarlet Witch sister love interest (eugh like Thanos Josh Brolin messing with her in Spike Lee's 'Oldboy') Elizabeth Olsen to run around and pick up the shed skin pieces. And although those golden era 90's babies will point to the ultimate Hollywood cheese and corn blockbuster of the 'Jurassic Park' era we finally have the sequel to this cynical, CGI, clusterf### carnage. Right after this beautiful beasts iconic roar was teased at the post-credits end of the titan, king of the jungle, 'Kong: Skull Island' two Summers back for those who didn't walk out thinking "this isn't a Marvel movie" before they rolled like this idiot. Teasing the movie main, epic event we are all waiting for next year as the amazing anticipation for a cinematic classic sends shivers down our collective monster horror spines. Even if the neon up his, holding his fiery breath suspense is now an out of the bag reveal like the cat. Get ready as this one lights up the electric blue scales as the needle goes right off the Richter.

BOOM! Put your hands over your ears like "turn the light off, turn the light off" because this is going to be loud. IMAX immersive LOUD! This is 'Godzilla' people getting stomped on. Hear this 'King Of Monsters' roar as he huffs, puffs and blows your skyscrapers down. He likes to get the landmarks...and this is the Goliath giants resurgence. He can lay waste to skylines in a single bound like smog. And there's not a damn thing a bird or plane can do about it. Maybe a wrath of titans though. From the "Monster Zero" Antarctica awakenings like a super soldier defrosting, to a Fenway finale in Boston that knocks it out of the park (aswell as dunking a donuts sign...not happy) past the Golden Gate Bridge of the last movies San Francisco showdown. Batter up! Even if this movie is more an 'Uprising' blockbuster high than a 'Pacific Rim' slow and somber outstanding original origin movie. There's the larvae of Mothra that cocoons itself under a waterfall like the damned Harrison Ford in 'The Fugitive'. The bird of people prey Rodan unleashing dragon fire on cities of civilians beneath him like Daenerys. And a whole host of rock strong rampaging like beasts between the skyscrapers ready to cause earthquakes like San Andreas everytime they tip toe around due to no fault of their own. When me and my pops caught the 'King Of Monsters' trailer before the latest John Wick chapter he remarked at how fat Godzilla was looking in his old age. Body shaming this King like Elvis in Vegas? C'mon Dad. He is almost 70 years old. But he is about to take down a real King like a swarm of Biplanes. No matter what pterodactyl or mothman prophecy swoops in here. Especially the Smaug 'Hobbit' fire of a 'Lord Of The Rings' mythical like beast that looks like it's been torn taken straight from the pages of the tales of Tolkien. A three headed monster who just keeps growing them back like "cut off one head"...you know the rest. But no matter what monster in this mash wants the crown, we all know who the real God is. Say your prayers. Amen.

An A-List cast of Hollywood humans make up what would be the casualty menu if this was just another meat and potatoes blockbuster washed in CGI thick gravy that didn't look into the deeper meaning behind monster horrors and the timeless tales of movie legends. And there's a fair few on offer here. Like 'Super 8' sci-fi pop cop Kyle Chandler delivering big-lines with complicated leading man gusto and gravitas. But it's 'The Conjuring' star Vera Farmiga who conjures up the real star power along with 'Stranger Things' pop cult icon and 80's throwback Millie Bobby Brown who really does dial it up to eleven before her 4th of July fireworks. They have an Orca machine like a sonar that they think can Dr. Dolittle with the titans. So much so that Great British legend Charles Dance like the devil in the pale moonlight wants a hand in this planet of thrones. 'The West Wing's' Bradley Whitford gone 'Get Out' grey on the second wind of his career is also here on wisecracking pun-ishing form. As is 'Silicon Valley' star Thomas Middleditch as the action moves from San Fran. Lead by 'The Shield' and 'True Blood's' Aisha Hinds military mind and Ice Cube son and him himself, 'Straight Outta Compton' N.W.A. O'Shea Jackson Jr. in Aaron Taylor-Johnson form with so much more in his glass after his 'Long Shot' scene steal Seth Rogen toast. But it's the legends of the last movie that really give this monster movie it's human heart like David Strathairn in 'Last Jedi' and 'Looper' director Rian Johnson's Phillip K. Dick like sci-fi parable music video to LCD Soundsystem's 'Oh Baby' with Sissy Spacek. 'The Shape Of Water' Oscar winner Sally Hawkins makes a big splash as we are reintroduced to this Kaiju from submarine submerged depths like an underwater monster 'Meg'. Still it's 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' icon Zhang Ziyi and 'The Last Samurai' legend Ken Watanabe that truly belong with the spirit and soul of this movie. As former 'X-Men 2' and 'Superman Returns' screenwriter Michael Dougherty flips it as a director with all the toys to play with like Andy's name on the bottom of your foot. And that's one hell of a footprint with the puddles in it reverberating like 'Jurassic Park' glasses of water. Dedicated to the late legends of producer Yoshimitsu Banno and original Godzilla suit performer Haruo Nakajima this Japanese monster adaptation is king. But in this blockbuster game busting the Summer smash likes of the 'Parabellum' of John Wick and the Avengers 'Endgame' the real throne awaits. So when Godzilla and Kong face off like Travolta and Cage next year, hopefully between the blue flame laser neons of Tokyo and the Empire State of New York, let them fight. Long live the kings in this clash of titans. My God. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Shin Godzilla', 'Kong: Skull Island', 'Pacific Rim: Uprising'.