Movie Review: “Godzilla vs. Kong”

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Arlina Yang

The movie released in late March and was a smash hit.

Arlina Yang, Junior Editor

Most are not strangers to two of the most renowned titans in the movie world, Godzilla and Kong. Their movie was released in the US theaters and HBO Max on March 31, 2021, where we got to see the two featured together in the movie, “Godzilla vs. Kong.” 

This movie is also a sequel to both “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” (2019) and “Kong: Skull Island” (2017). Despite the coronavirus outbreak that stalled it’s supposed release in November of 2020, it managed to become the fourth highest-grossing film of 2021 not long after it’s release.

While the film featured many different settings such as Hong Kong, Antarctica, and the Hollow Earth, the action and visual effects for the movie were fantastic. Either it be the fur on Kong’s body or Godzilla’s textured scales, it was incredibly well-done. The fight scenes between Godzilla and Kong shown on the movie poster is just as exciting as it is in the movie. 

Though, almost all of the characters such as Madison Russell (Millie Bobby Brown) or Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) were underdeveloped. There was a lack of explanation for each character and some scenes. Furthermore, the plot was often moved hastily along to get to the main interaction between the two big titans. Hence the first thirty to forty minutes of the movie being quite boring until conflict truly began to stir and it started to shed light on the purpose of the beginning scenes.

One thing that should be recognized and applauded for is the representation of the deaf community in this movie in the debuting actress, Kaylee Hottle, playing Jia in the film. Hottle is fluent in ASL and came from an all-Deaf family of four generations. Another important detail was when the movie turns into Hottle’s point of view, there was no volume as is how she hears the world. 

“I think that it’s important to have deaf actors play deaf characters, because deaf people are aware of their own language and they’re more familiar with the culture,” said Kaylee Hottle in an interview with Junkee.

With all these in mind, there’s a good reason that “Godzilla vs. Kong” was the fourth highest-grossing film of 2021. Apart from the sometimes unexplored ideas and rushed along scenes, the movie was well-deserving of the praise it received. From the amazing visual effects and the exciting action scenes between two beloved titans of the movie industry, it should definitely be on your watch list!