When the MonsterVerse first began, fans were a bit divided over the approach. Some didn’t like how Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla movie in 2014 minimized the presence of the giant lizard. But since that, Legendary has been unleashing a bevy of Titans and focused more on action-laced narratives.
Everything culminates in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, where the titular characters have to unite against a scarier threat. This is none other than the Skar King, a giant ape in the Hollow Earth with his own army. The Skar King was sealed away by Godzilla eons ago, but The New Empire’s finale has the villain finding a way to come to the surface and wreak havoc. It builds to an epic, violent conclusion that reminds fans who humanity’s defenders really are.
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The Skar King, his minions, and his enslaved weapon, the ice-firing Titan known as Shimo, find their way to the Iwi temple in an uncharted part of the Hollow Earth. Outfitted with a mechanical gauntlet after frostbite, Kong travels up through a portal to call Godzilla to assist. However, Godzilla is angry, sensing the surface is in danger.
He has charged up, absorbing nuclear radiation from various locations and Titans like Tiamat, but Godzilla is hasty. He pummels Kong, not wanting to have a “discussion” as to why Kong breaches the border they set out after Godzilla vs. Kong. Luckily, Mothra jumps in after a resurrection and smacks some sense into Godzilla. She needs them to become brothers and fight for the greater good.
At this point, the lizard and ape unite, not out of necessity like when they fought Mechagodzilla, but because they finally understand each other. It’s due to Mothra’s calming presence. This results in the Titan Trinity of Mothra, Godzilla and Kong going back down below to attack Skar King’s army. Mothra handles most of the rogue apes, while the Baby Kong, Suko, helps out, knowing if the Skar King dies, his tribe will go free.
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As the Iwi people try to close the portal, The Skar King realizes this rift will grant him a chance to achieve his lifelong goal. All he wanted was to kill Godzilla and rule up top. As the Hollow Earth’s gravity shifts, the tyrant arrives in Brazil, using Shimo to freeze the ocean. Godzilla and Kong pursue, creating a harrowing brawl as people flee. Godzilla uses his atomic breath to counter Shimo’s ice rays, while the Skar King uses his bone whip to slice Kong.
Kong is further stymied by the ice blasts damaging his gauntlet. It reduces his power in a big way. However, Kong manages to shatter the whip, which had one of Shimo’s spikes. The Skar King uses this spike to mentally command Shimo to do his bidding. As Kong and the Skar King battle for it, Suko arrives and smashes it with Kong’s ax. Loyalists would remember this ax had a dorsal spike from Godzilla, which allowed Kong to absorb and deflect Godzilla’s nuclear blasts. Here, it enabled Kong to shield off the ice rays.
Its composition is strong enough to shatter the spike, freeing Shimo from brainwashing. Shimo ends up freezing the Skar King after eons of being oppressed and punished down in the cave. Kong chokes the Skar King as this happens and then crashes him into the ground. Kong then pummels the beast to pieces to compound that this is his sequel, not Godzilla’s.
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All movie long, Dr. Ilene Andrews and Jia harp on how alone Kong is. He was isolated on Skull Island, and grew desolate and depressed down in the Hollow Earth. This is why Kong fights tooth and nail for Suko’s tribe. When he first found them, they were abrasive, but Kong knew that for every bad apple, there were five apes who just wanted freedom.
This liberator energy gives Kong motivation throughout, while providing the anchor for Suko’s redemption. He wants to follow Kong’s lead. It results in Suko and Kong returning to the crevasse to celebrate freedom for the other apes. Kong has a kid brother in Suko, and a larger family at last. It’s quite coincidental, given Hollywood has Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes due soon where apes will battle over subjugation and democracy.
Extra symbolism is provided by Shimo being there with the apes. Kong pats Shimo, punctuating that he is a pacifist. He took pity seeing Shimo as a slave, too. Now, Shimo recognizes the compassion and empathy Kong showed. This final scene flips the dynamic of the MonsterVerse, which always leaned into the various humans saving the world using the power of family. Here, the Titans are driven by that notion of love and wanting to protect innocent victims. It’s all due to Kong using Suko to explore and seek kindred spirits. It is a beautiful, triumphant shot.
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While there are layers of emotion to Kong daring to break the mold to find a purpose, the other heroes don’t mind a comfort zone. Godzilla is back in an Italian coliseum, balling up and sleeping like a big cat. This is Godzilla’s modus operandi: fight, tame or kill Titans that upset the ecosystem and food chain, and then find somewhere to hibernate. Granted, there are a lot of mass casualties and collateral damage, but the MonsterVerse’s governments overlook it in favor of the bigger picture: protection.
While Godzilla goes back to being a fatigued bodyguard, Jia’s story ends with a mix of the old and new. She is glad to have found a new Iwi tribe. After hers was wiped out on Skull Island, resulting in her getting adopted by Ilene, she struggled to adapt. It got worse moving up top, and trying to integrate into society. She wasn’t connecting to children at an outpost school in Barbados. Thus, helping the Titans reminded Jia this was her higher calling.
It leaves Ilene teary-eyed, thinking Jia will want independence from her, stay with her clan, and continue being the avatar for Mothra. However, Jia calls that train of thought silly, making it clear they go everywhere together. No matter what, Ilene is her mother and the comfort zone she wants to stay with her in this part of the Hollow Earth. It also mends bridges as the Iwi were initially wary of humanity. Now, they see the Titan veterinarian, Trapper, and the conspiracy theorist, Bernie, as selfless and endearing souls.
It is implied these heroes can remain or visit. It keeps Ilene and Jia together, while allowing Monarch to continue exploring new technology, weapons, Titans and the mysticism at the center of the Earth. Once more, this success at the core gives the MonsterVerse’s humans an arc of family and teases what the New Empire means: it is a realm where humanity and monsters can work as one to keep the peace and maintain a delicate balance.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is now playing in theaters.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Get ready to witness the ultimate brawl as Godzilla and Kong collide once more in a battle for supremacy in “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” This explosive sequel throws open the doors to the Hollow Earth, unleashing an ancient threat that challenges the very existence of both Titans and humanity.
Director
Adam Wingard
Release Date
March 29, 2024
Cast
Dan Stevens
, Rebecca Hall
, Brian Tyree Henry
, Rachel House
Writers
Terry Rossio
, Simon Barrett
, Jeremy Slater
Main Genre
Action
Production Company
Legendary Entertainment, Screen Queensland, Warner Bros.