Godzilla x Kong The New Empire movie review: This franchise needs to let sleeping creatures lie

Humans? Well they are there too, including some repeats from Godzilla vs Kong of 2021. Plus a tribe that comes around suitably inked and smeared and dressed in flowing robes. The latter are silent communicators (thus dispensing with the need to give them a language); the former usually can come up with little more than “Oh my God!” when confronted with a new “quartz energy source”, or a “gravity manipulation device involving liquids and pyramids”, or a “biochemical partition”, or “a destroyed outpost”, or a “human-eating tree”.

Three talented actors, Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens and Brian Tyree Henry, are doing the honours in this. Hall is the scientist and the mother, Stevens the rogue with a golden heart, and Henry the funny sidekick.

And yet all the acting in this film is done by that mini-ape, who is cunning and sad, loving and brave, all at the same time as he builds a relationship with Kong. Perhaps the only time you feel God in Godzilla x Kong.

Rest is Hollywood, special effects that feel special once in a while, and a franchise that needs to let sleeping creatures lie.

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire movie cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire movie director: Adam Wingard

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire movie rating: 1.5 stars