SERIES REVIEW – Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters, a new Apple TV+ series set in the colossal creature-filled Godzilla universe, offers a stellar combination of Kurt Russell and Godzilla. The story at times may seem shallow, but the spectacular scenes and Russell’s charismatic presence make up for it. The series tells two parallel stories, intertwining the past and present, while excitingly unfolding characters and human drama. Both the world of monsters and humans are richly and interestingly depicted, making the series a perfect choice for fans of adventure and deeper narrative layers.

In life, few things are truly excellent, but Kurt Russell’s line, “Dinnertime, you bastard,” as he battles a massive monster emerging from the depths of the earth, is undoubtedly one of them. In the first five episodes of Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters, the new Apple TV+ series which explores the world of colossal creatures presented in the Godzilla, Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Godzilla vs. Kong movies, the story is full of twists and spectacles, some working, some not, but Russell’s constant charisma is always a reliable support. Whether he’s shouting during a car theft or giving sarcastic responses during an interrogation, he is the main attraction of the experience (sorry, Godzilla). Despite the time jumps occasionally overshadowing the story’s brilliance, Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters still stands out when it comes to crucial narrative turns.

What is Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters?

Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters unfolds following the destruction of San Francisco, through a family drama tracking the lives of siblings Kentaro and Cate. Kentaro, portrayed by Ren Watabe, lives in Japan as an artist when Cate, played by Anna Sawai, known from the series “Pachinko,” suddenly appears at his home. It soon becomes clear that they are both children of the same missing man. As they delve deeper into their father’s past, they learn more about his mysterious connection with the Monarch organization. They are aided by May, played by Kiersey Clemons, who also harbors some secrets. The only person who might know the answers, and whom the trio can trust, is portrayed by Kurt Russell as Lee Shaw in the present and by his son, Wyatt Russell, in the 1950s. As they investigate their father and uncover the truth about Monarch, their global adventure leads them to encounter many unique creatures.

On one hand, the series tries to entice viewers as a globe-trotting adventure epic, where a ragtag team faces the shadowy powers of a shaken world trying to hide the truth. On the other hand, it unfolds as a deeper drama interwoven with family and trauma. While it does not fully focus on its theme in every part, except for an episode concentrating on Cate’s memories and showing the impact of “G-Day” on a personal level, the series still offers multi-layeredness alongside spectacular action scenes. Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters is a story that foregrounds human lives and struggles over monster narratives, thoughtfully dealing with the themes of catastrophe and rebuilding our lives, similar to the series “Invasion.”

The story has a kind of weight and seriousness when Kentaro and Cate confront the fact that the father who raised them, whom they thought they knew, was not only missing but was never entirely honest with them during their lives. This occasionally produces contradictory, sometimes humorous moments, when past emotional confessions echo with comments about Godzilla’s role, but the series mostly manages to coherently keep the various threads together.

Kurt Russell Remains King in Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters

Although some may miss Godzilla, who only appears sporadically in the early season, this is no issue when Kurt Russell’s immense charisma fills the screen. Without overhyping his presence – as he too sometimes recedes into the background – Russell’s every appearance is impressive. Even when the creatures’ visual effects are sometimes flawed, Russell’s natural, macho charisma is always captivating. When the story takes place in snowy landscapes, that charisma which made Russell a legendary character in “The Thing” is still palpable. The plot sometimes loses coherence and often becomes frenetic as it unfolds new storylines, but with Russell’s charismatic performance, it remains enjoyable throughout. The series skillfully plays with the contrast between the older and younger versions of his character, and in some scenes adeptly portrays how much the character has changed. However, the story performs better when it stays in the present.

Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters may require patience from those expecting only giant creature battles, but it offers plenty of opportunities. Russell is an ideal choice for the lead role, maintaining interest while Godzilla waits in the wings. The series confidently allows the story to unfold freely, without getting too bogged down in broader implications.

Not Monsterly Good, but Relatively Entertaining

Monarch: The Legacy of the Monsters is an exciting initiative in franchise expansion, building not just on spectacular monster battles but also on deeper, human stories. The series may sometimes test the patience of viewers, especially those just longing for colossal creature clashes, but it holds a wealth of potential. Kurt Russell’s presence represents a force that is remarkable in itself. The series evidently allows its storyline to breathe freely, without losing itself in the broader context.

-Gergely Herpai (BadSector)-