Adam Wingard’s fifth installment in the monster-verse franchise, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, may not be hailed as a cinematic masterpiece, but it undoubtedly delivers what fans crave: larger-than-life battles and stunning visual effects. Embracing the spectacle of monstrous clashes, this sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) promises a thrilling ride for audiences willing to suspend disbelief.

The story unfolds in a world where Titans clash and ancient evils threaten to obliterate everything in their path. The narrative begins with the discovery of a hidden realm within the primordial Hollow Earth, inhabited by a community of apes led by Skar King, a formidable simian Titan wielding a weapon crafted from the remains of other Titans.

Living in solitude in the depths of Hollow Earth, Kong senses a looming threat and enlists the help of his former rival, Godzilla, Earth’s defender. Despite their tumultuous history, they must unite to confront the ancient evil. Alongside them is Suko, a young Titan resembling ‘mini-Kong,’ who joins forces in their quest.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall), a scientist at Monarch, detects sinister electromagnetic signals from Hollow Earth. Determined to protect her adoptive child, Jia, the last surviving member of the Iwi tribe from Skull Island, she embarks on an expedition that thrusts her into the midst of the monster showdown.

From its opening moments, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire captivates with turbo-charged action sequences. Audiences are treated to a spectacle of CG creature chases and breathtaking battles, including a showdown between Godzilla and a spider-like Titan, and a memorable encounter where Kong grapples with a toothache!

The film’s highlight undoubtedly lies in its epic fight scenes, meticulously crafted for maximum impact. From the Egypt battle amidst ancient pyramids to the icy wilderness of Antarctica where Kong faces off against the frost-breathing Titan, Shimo, each confrontation is a visual feast.

The climactic battle in Hollow Earth, where Godzilla and Kong unite against the tyrannical Skar King, is particularly exhilarating, as is the underwater duel between the two Titans in the Pacific Ocean. The destructive city battle in Rio De Janeiro serves as a fitting finale to this adrenaline-pumping parade of deafening roars and crunching brawls.

While some may find the film’s runtime (115 minutes) a bit lengthy, and the constant introduction of new creatures somewhat tiresome, the sheer spectacle of monsters wrestling on the big screen makes Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire worth every moment. It’s a cinematic experience akin to venturing into our very own version of ‘hollow earth’: the cavernous multiplex theatre