The crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah.

Ok, this is how you create a “monster-verse”.  Godzilla: King of the Monsters is really well put together, but the biggest pieces of the puzzle to me, were the moments of loyalty to the original films.  That and the fact that they aren’t rushing it – there are quite a few monsters at their disposal, but they are introducing them nice and slow.

Aside from the references and Easter eggs scattered throughout, the movie is visually spectacular, and wastes absolutely no time in getting to the monsters.  It comes out hard and fast, and keeps it that way for the duration.

It’s a big budget sci fi/action blockbuster, so don’t expect too much in the way of plot finesse – in saying that though, they do do a good job at making us care about the characters, and an even better job of explaining away the silly science.

The cast is pretty damn good too.  I am not surprised to see Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things getting a role here.  She’s pretty believable for a young actress, and I’m sure we’ll see more of her in the future.  The other actor I was happy to see was O’Shea Jackson Jnr – he’s always really good, and I hope to see him go on to some starring roles.

It’s not a perfect film, not by a long shot, but if you’re looking for a great escape (or at least a 2 hour escape) from your hectic lifestyle, and you’re willing to suspend disbelief and just be entertained – this might work for you, just like it did for me.

8/10

Review by Rick Trewin.