Cindy Prascik's Review of Godzilla vs. Kong

My dear reader(s), the week just passed brought us Godzilla vs. Kong, a film that — by its very name — made a return to the big screens of the cinema seem imperative.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers or if you've ever watched a monster movie before.

As the title indicates, Godzilla vs. Kong pits one giant creature against another, with puny humans serving as catalysts and comic relief.

A disclaimer: I wanted to see this movie on the big screen. I had every intention of seeing this movie on the big screen. I think this movie is 100% worth seeing on the big screen. BUT...for reasons including (but not limited to) Easter weekend always being crazy busy and my cinema still having weird Covid hours, I was forced to watch it on my reasonably-large television. *sadface*

For a movie like this to meet my needs, all it really has to do is have huge creatures, solid effects, and well choreographed battles. Plot doesn't mean much, and people are merely a distraction. Godzilla vs. Kong executes its mission to a "T." Both titular titans look very big and very, very good in this film. Showdowns between the two are magnificent. There are a fair number of consequential humans ("consequential," for my purposes, meaning named characters with at least a little dialogue), but the people are mostly unobtrusive, despite being portrayed by such notable names as Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Demian Bichir, Lance Reddick, Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobby Brown, and Alexander Skarsgard. Sound effects are nearly as impressive as visuals; however, in order to get the dialogue even barely audible, I had my volume so high that action sequences and music rattled the walls. I find that's the norm these days, both with movies and with television, and I have to think it can't be so hard to do better. Godzilla vs. Kong is fun and well paced, a series of epic action jewels strung together with thin human string. Oh, and the *real* titan here is Elvis Presley, whose "Loving Arms" makes a...peculiar...appearance.

Godzilla vs. Kong clocks in at 113 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of creature violence/destruction and brief language."

If massive creatures, colossal clashes, and unimaginable destruction are your cup of tea, Godzilla vs. Kong is just the ticket. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Godzilla vs. Kong gets eight.

Godzilla vs. Kong is now playing in cinemas and streaming on HBO Max.

This review is dedicated to my wonderful friend David, a Godzilla scholar who has probably forgotten more about this character than I could ever know, and to my dad, who would have loved this movie more than anything.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: GODZILLA VS. KONG

 

Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home. Along for the ride is Jia, an orphaned girl who has a unique and powerful bond with the mighty beast. However, they soon find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla as he cuts a swath of destruction across the globe. The initial confrontation between the two titans -- instigated by unseen forces -- is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the planet.

Director: Adam Wingard

Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Lance Reddick, Kyle Chandler,  Demián Bichir

Release Date: March 26, 2021

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of creature violence/destruction and brief language

Runtime: 1 h 53 min

Review:

Godzilla vs. Kong is the type of film that is very open about what kind of film it is and it never pretends to be anything else.  Adam Wingard’s film uses the thinnest of a story to get the action moving.  Wingard moves the film at a steady pace so that you don’t think about the exposition heavy human sequences too much since it’s all fairly nonsensical.  Wingard is smart enough to see that people who sit down to see Godzilla vs. Kong want to see the two titans fight in epic fashion.  He delivers some truly impressive action set pieces between the two behemoths in well staged mayhem.  These action sequences are the primary lifeblood of the entire film so if they didn’t work the film would be a failure.  The human side of these films are typically afterthoughts at best and the same holding true here.  The cast is populated with familiar faces who are barely straining one ounce of talent into their roles.  Demián Bichir does manage to leave a lasting impression in the villain role that’s only missing a dash of mustache twirling.  Deft actress Kaylee Hottle leaves the biggest impression in a small but pivotal role. Her portion of the story with Kong is the beefiest of story threads but it’s not explored in any great depth.  Godzilla vs. Kong isn’t the type of film that’s interested in any sort of in depth storytelling just massive mayhem and it delivers the big dumb action you’d expect from these types of films. 

B-

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Christmas Chronicles 2

 

My dear reader(s), Netflix has declared the 2020 Holiday Season in full swing with its second new Christmas offering of the year: The Christmas Chronicles 2.

Spoiler level here will be mild, I suppose, but in truth the movie holds few surprises.

Christmas is in jeopardy, and it's up to Kate Pierce to help Santa save the day.

Well, my friends, I have to start by saying I remember very little about the first Christmas Chronicles. I felt a little better when IMDB told me it came out in 2018, because I feared I'd already forgotten it almost completely from just last Christmas. WHEW! Cheery holiday fare tends to make me happy, so I'm pretty sure I liked it, and the sequel holds true to form.

Objectively, I will note that Christmas Chronicles 2 is sometimes almost painfully predictable, right down to individual snippets of dialogue that I said in my head as they were voiced onscreen, though I was watching for the first time. The characters are barely more than cartoons, but they don't need to be for this benign bit of holiday merriment. Darby Camp and Julian Dennison are almost too annoying to bear at times, but Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, and Jahzir Bruno are charming enough to carry the movie through its weaker spots. Bright animation works seamlessly with live action, and sets, costumes, and score are all designed to turn up the Christmas Cheer to eleven. A probably unintentional bonus: The ending makes a nice little nod to Tombstone, one of the greatest movies of all time and my favorite project of Kurt Russell's long and storied career.

The Christmas Chronicles 2 runs 112 minutes and is rated PG for "mild action/violence and brief language."

There's nothing new or surprising about Christmas Chronicles 2, but if you're looking for some easily digestible holiday entertainment for the whole family, it'll be just the ticket. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Christmas Chronicles 2 gets six.

The Christmas Chronicles 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: DEADPOOL 2

Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool joins forces with three mutants -- Bedlam, Shatterstar and Domino -- to protect a boy from the all-powerful Cable.

Director: David Leitch

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, T.J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, Jack Kesy

Release Date: May 18, 2018

Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy 

R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual references and brief drug material

Runtime: 1h 59min 

Review:

Deadpool 2 is the type of sequel that improves on the original while never losing the spirit of the first film.  The meta humor is bad and stronger than the first go around even if a handful of jokes fall flat, particularly in the first act.  Once it gets going though, the film has an undeniable energy and pace.  David Leitch does fine work, picking up seamlessly from Tim Miller works in the first film, directing the sequel.  It’s never a particularly showy film but some of the set pieces are incredibly impressive and funny at the same time.  Ryan Reynolds, of course, makes the whole thing go without him and his charisma this ship wouldn’t sail.  Reynolds and Deadpool are so intertwined it hard to tell where one starts and one ends.  He’s clearly having the time of his life in these films and we get to enjoy the fruits of his labors.  

B+