Moments Of Crisis Are Also Moments Of Faith (AKA: Too Big To Fail)

“Godzilla:  King of the Monsters” (2019) — movie review
Today’s review is for the kaiju epic “Godzilla:  King of the Monsters” (2019), directed by Michael Dougherty and stars Kyle Chandler as Dr. Mark Russell, a scientist torn between grief and duty as he confronts the resurgence of colossal creatures;  Vera Farmiga plays Dr. Emma Russell, whose radical plan to restore ecological balance through the Titans sets the stage for global upheaval;  Millie Bobby Brown portrays Madison Russell, their daughter, caught between loyalty and survival;  Bradley Whitford adds levity as Dr. Rick Stanton;  Ken Watanabe returns as Dr. Ishiro Serizawa, embodying reverence and sacrifice;   Charles Dance looms as Colonel Alan Jonah, a human antagonist exploiting chaos;  and Zhang Ziyi appears as Dr. Ilene Chen, bridging myth and science.  Together, this ensemble navigates a world where Mothra, Rodan, and the three-headed King Ghidorah rise to challenge Godzilla’s reign.
Background:  My brother and I both enjoyed watching these monster movies together as children – and over the last 25+ years that they’ve been getting re-booted / re-made.  With each release in the MonsterVerse, I would drive over to his house for another walk down memory lane.  LoL.  Released in May 2019, “Godzilla:  King of the Monsters” is the third entry in Legendary’s “MonsterVerse,” following “Godzilla” (2014) (review here) and “Kong:  Skull Island” (2017) (review here).  With a budget estimated between $170–200 million, the film grossed over $386 million worldwide.  While it did not win Academy Awards, it is historically significant as a modern continuation of Toho’s kaiju legacy, reintroducing iconic monsters to Western audiences with cutting-edge visual effects.
Plot:  The crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces escalating crises as dormant Titans awaken across the globe.  Dr. Emma Russell’s “ORCA” device, designed to communicate with the creatures, becomes a weapon of manipulation.  Ghidorah, an alien apex predator, emerges as Godzilla’s ultimate nemesis, threatening planetary annihilation.  Amid battles spanning Mexico, Antarctica, and Boston, alliances shift between humans and monsters.  The climax sees Godzilla, empowered by Mothra’s sacrifice and Serizawa’s ultimate act of devotion, reclaiming his throne as “King of the Monsters.”
So, is this movie any good?  Short answers:  Yes;  spectacular monster action;  visually stunning;  uneven human drama;  yes — for kaiju fans.
Any Good?  Yes.  “Godzilla:  King of the Monsters” delivers on its promise of titanic spectacle.  It is less about human nuance and more about mythic scale, positioning Godzilla as both destroyer and savior.
Acting:  Kyle Chandler grounds the film with earnest intensity, while Vera Farmiga’s conflicted Emma adds moral ambiguity.  Millie Bobby Brown provides youthful resilience, though her role is often reactive.  Ken Watanabe shines in a poignant farewell, elevating the film’s emotional core.  Charles Dance is suitably menacing, though underutilized.  The ensemble is competent, but the monsters themselves dominate the screen.
Filming / FX:  Lawrence Sher’s cinematography captures apocalyptic grandeur:  lightning storms herald Ghidorah, volcanic fury births Rodan, and bioluminescence sanctifies Mothra.  Bear McCreary’s score, weaving Akira Ifukube’s classic Godzilla theme, amplifies the mythic resonance.  The visual effects are state-of-the-art, rendering kaiju battles with operatic scale.
Problems:  Minor (human)The human subplot often feels thin, with character motivations unevenly sketched.  Dialogue occasionally lapses into exposition.  The sheer spectacle overshadows narrative coherence, leaving some viewers disengaged from the human drama.  Much like comic-book super-hero movie adaptations, these “monster” movies have nothing to do with reality.  This is visual fantasy and whether or not the monsters and battles look “cool”.  They mostly do…
Did I Enjoy the Film?  Yes.  As a kaiju enthusiast, the film is exhilarating.  Watching Godzilla rise, Ghidorah menace, and Mothra sacrifice is both thrilling and emotionally stirring (for the little kid in me).  It is not subtle, but it is grand.
Final Recommendation:  Strong Recommendation.  “Godzilla:  King of the Monsters” is essential viewing for fans of kaiju cinema and visual spectacle.  While it lacks the narrative depth of classic courtroom dramas or human-centered epics, its historic significance lies in revitalizing Toho’s pantheon for modern audiences.  Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of monster action and destruction, it is a film best experienced on the largest screen possible.  Watch it for Godzilla’s fiery ascension, Mothra’s luminous grace, and the reminder that sometimes myth and monster are inseparable.
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Click here (6 January) to see the posts of prior years.  I started this blog in late 2009.  Daily posting began in late January 2011.  Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.

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