Godzilla x Kong - The New Empire (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers 
Release Date: June 11, 2024
Rating: PG-13
Film: 3/5

Plot
The almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla pit themselves against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own.  The epic new film delves further into the histories of these Titans, their origins, and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humanity forever.

My Thoughts
The monsterverse has been around for about 10 years now and frankly, is getting a bit of a bore. While this isn’t a bad film, it isn’t that great either. The human characters really don’t bring much to the table other than to explain to the viewer why a particular monster is acting a particular way. As usual, the monsters have their various fights but we all know the “good guys” will win in the end and there’s little to no drama along the way.

While the film is meh, the presentation is quite good—especially the Dolby Atmos audio—but you better love CGI because the film is overflowing with it from the get-go and doesn’t let up until the final credits roll.

Video 4.5/5
Audio 5/5 (Dolby Atmos)

Special Features:

• GxK: Day of Reckoning
• Evolution of the Titans: Godzilla Evolved
• Evolution of the Titans: From Lonely God to King
• Into the Hollow Earth: Visualizing Hollow Earth
• Into the Hollow Earth: Monsters of Hollow Earth
• The Battles Royale: A Titanic Fight Among the Pyramids
• The Battles Royale: The Zero Gravity Battle
• The Battles Royale: The Titans Trash Rio
• The intrepid Doctor: Adam Wingard: Big Kid
• The Intrepid Director: Adam Wingard: Set Tour
• The Imagination Department
• The Monarch Island Base: Portal to Another World
• The Evolution of Jia: From Orphan to Warrior
• Bernie’s World: Behind the Triple Locked Door
• Commentary
• Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Conclusion
I wasn’t exactly surprised by how the film turned out and while the first act started a bit rough, it improved as it went along and ultimately my wife and I thought it was a useful way to spend an evening. While I prefer the stronger story lines of Godzilla or Kong – Skull Island, I realize that those days are long gone in the monsterverse. Sadly, Warner only sent me the Blu-ray because I’m sure the 4K would look even better (although sound the same). Recommended for fans of the franchise. 


Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
 Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
 ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-990
 M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
 M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
 Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

Thanks for the review, David.

That's pretty much matches what my expectations would be for it.  At least the sound and video are good.  It's too bad they can't seem to do much beyond audio/visual spectacle with these properties. 

[David Vaughn]

Thanks for the review, David.

That's pretty much matches what my expectations would be for it.  At least the sound and video are good.  It's too bad they can't seem to do much beyond audio/visual spectacle with these properties.

The original Godzilla reboot and Kong: Skull Island actually had stories and didn't rely as much on VFX. Ever since those movies, they script flipped and the story has taken a back seat. 

[bmoney]

What’s the difference with this and king minus one. Is it a different franchise?

[David Vaughn]

What’s the difference with this and king minus one. Is it a different franchise?

I assume you mean Godzilla Minus One, which is a standalone Japanese film:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_Minus_One

Very low budget ($12 million, I think) and it won the VFX Oscar this year. 

[SRW1000]

I assume you mean Godzilla Minus One, which is a standalone Japanese film:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_Minus_One

Very low budget ($12 million, I think) and it won the VFX Oscar this year.

I'm really looking forward to the disc release of Godzilla Minus One.  Should be a completely different take on the monster compared to the US version.  Word of mouth on it has been positive on it.

[DLCPhoto]

I'm really looking forward to the disc release of Godzilla Minus One.  Should be a completely different take on the monster compared to the US version.  Word of mouth on it has been positive on it.

For reasons known only to them, there has been no announcements of a disc version in the U.S. (it is available in Japan). Perhaps equally surprising to me, the movie is now available (4k/HDR with Atmos) on Netflix. We thought it was quite good!

[SRW1000]

For reasons known only to them, there has been no announcements of a disc version in the U.S. (it is available in Japan). Perhaps equally surprising to me, the movie is now available (4k/HDR with Atmos) on Netflix. We thought it was quite good!

I think it has something to do with the release rights for the material in the US so as not to compete with this disc.

Rumor is that it will be hitting the US in fall.  That doesn't explain why it's available on Netflix, though.

[bmoney]

I assume you mean Godzilla Minus One, which is a standalone Japanese film:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla_Minus_One

Very low budget ($12 million, I think) and it won the VFX Oscar this year.

Hahah yes that’s the one. Oops. Thanks for the clarification