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"GODZILLA VS. KONG" (2021) - dir. Adam Wingard

The fourth film in the MonsterVerse sees Godzilla cross paths with Kong in a colorful, bombastic, and explosive clash of kings.  5 years have passed since Godzilla defeated Ghidorah in Boston, and the world has returned to a state of peace.  After Kong is removed from his home on Skull Island for a mission into the Hollow Earth, the stage is set for an inevitable fight between the two alpha titans.  Continuing the story built in the previous three films, GvK does an admirable job at honoring what has come before but not dwelling on it, with the goal of moving the universe forward.  Out of all the MV films this has the weakest human and story elements, often comedic in nature but also awfully mediocre.  It is good that the film almost totally shifts that to the side and wisely places the focus square on the kaiju, which is exactly what we are here to see.  Kong is given a little bit more focus here as we haven't caught up with him in a while, and he is updated nicely with a more aged, weary look.  Godzilla is enjoyably given more of an aggressive, "heel" role to play that doesn't feel forced and makes sense in context of what is going on.  Finally, MechaGodzilla makes a brilliant final act appearance and is an absolute beast of a challenge to the two title characters.  The monster battles are very fast-paced, more influenced by modern action films, with the two main set pieces being absolute highlights.  A sequence in the Hollow Earth is very creative and nearly takes the cake for my favorite section of the film.  There are some nice callbacks and homages to the 1962 Showa matchup, and the whole thing just leaves you with a cheesy grin on your face.  This is a fun movie that is self-aware and doesn't aspire to be anything else but a big budget B-movie monster mash, which is its greatest strength but also its biggest weakness.  I really admire the increased amount of kaiju focus, and hope that any future films continue this approach.  May not be for everyone, but I enjoyed the heck out of it and it sure made me feel like a kid again.  Easily the most rewatchable out of the MV films so far, and looking forward to the GODZILLA AND KONG sequel in 2024!