Film Review #77 - Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Cinematography: the cinematography in the film was a standout; it utilized different types of lenses (e.g., wide angle) and different camera focuses with some blur in the background. It was innovative on one hand, but not over the top. The close-ups and medium shots were great.

Editing and Pacing: Editing was commendable. Sometimes the pacing keeps me engaged, but then the narrative structure does not always keep up, with plot twists and character arcs that feel aimless or underdeveloped at times.

Sound and Music: Sound and music play pivotal roles in setting the tone, with the electronic score punctuating the epic battles and quiet moments alike. However, the choice to abruptly cut music in some of the scenes detracts from the cohesion of the film's soundscape, leaving a disjointed impression that the rest of the soundtrack struggles to mend. In the second act, the soundtrack was very generic. It sounded similarly to what you can hear in typical superhero films with a “heroic” vibe. The whole second and third acts felt like a generic viewing experience.

VFX: Visual effects are where the film shines brightest, crafting a world that is at once familiar and fantastically alien. The VFX was innovative and pushed the boundaries of the genre. 

CGI: The reliance on CGI is super heavy. On one hand, some CGI moments were great, but on the other hand, as the movie progressed, it became so much that I didn’t want to watch it anymore because it looked generic. It feels like I am watching an animation film. Using too much CGI instead of real locations can sometimes break the immersive experience; the use of more authentic natural landscapes could benefit the film. 

Cast: The cast was incompetent. It often felt misplaced or unable to fully embody the larger-than-life characters they portray, which exacerbates this. In other words, it felt like I was watching actors from a 2012 parody movie.

Costume Design: The character's costume design was terrible. They could have created unique costume designs for the characters, such as having the same for everyone while traveling. 

The movie's emotional and intellectual engagement was inconsistent. Mysticism and technology are both big ideas in the movie, but the story is both big, undeveloped, and hard to follow. I wish this film had more depth, meaningfulness and clarity. Also, Godzilla had less screen time, which is sad.

In conclusion, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is a mixed bag. There is too much going on, and every detail (e.g., large, small or microscopic) is difficult to digest through visual storytelling. Individuals seeking a narrative with depth and coherence, not just smashing things, might feel it falls short in that aspect. Although the film has flaws, it showcases the progress in VFX.

Rating: 5/10

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