Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Is Both Intense & Intriguing

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters not only delivers great visuals and detailed Titans, it also gives viewers an intriguing human story that will leave them hooked. This review is based solely off the first five episodes of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters dives deeper into the history of Monarch than fans have ever gone before. If you have watched any Godzilla movie, than you know exactly who Monarch is. However, while their intentions might seem clear sometimes, there is a whole lot we don’t know about them. Until now. 

This Apple TV+ series jumps between the past and the present in order to answer some questions about the formation of Monarch, as well as give viewers a whole lot more questions that they want answers to. This provides an intriguing, sometimes rewarding, viewing experience. 

All too often the Godzilla films do not have an interesting human story. They are there to drive the Titans to the next plot point with weak storytelling and cringe dialogue. Until now. Now we have a story that is interesting and exciting, as well as intense and suspenseful. There are mysteries to solve. And, don’t worry, there are some pretty cool Titans thrown in the mix too. 

In the present, the story takes place after the battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco, and the shocking revelation that monsters are real. It follows two siblings as they are thrust into a journey to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.

Their fathers belongings lead them into the world of monsters, and ultimately to Army Officer Lee Shaw (played by Kurt Russell in the present and Wyatt Russell in the past). The past takes place in the 1950s when Monarch is just getting started.

Often jumping back and forth through time while telling a story, things can get confusing and complicated — as well as annoying. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has found a way to make it work, however. Whenever we are in the past, where are there for a reason. The point is made and then we go back to the present. There is no linger for no reason, which keeps the pace moving quickly, something viewers will appreciate. 

All of the actors are great, but there is something special about seeing father and son, Kurt and Wyatt Russell, play the same character at different ages. Both do a great job at offering the same attitude and mannerisms, making it clear he is the same person. The same can be said for Anders Holm and John Goodman, who both play William Randa.

When those watching know that a characters survives a certain event, it can leave things feeling like there are no stakes. We know whenever we see Wyatt Russell get into a bit of a pickle, that he is going to live, since he is in the present story line. Yet, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has a way of making these events still feel intense and like there are high stakes.

You won’t ever think he could die, of course, but the scenes aren’t boring, let’s put it that way.

Since this is a series, it focuses heavily on the human story being told. While the Titans are involved, and make several appearances throughout, this is more about Monarch and the secrets that they are keeping. There are twists and turns, and big reveals around every corner. The show is sure to keep things interesting, and to keep audiences on their toes and guessing the way that things will play out.

While there could be more action, and more fights against Titans, there is enough to keep the ball rolling. When we do see the Titans, they look incredible. The visuals are stunning and the creature designs impressive. Every so often we get a nod to the early Godzilla films, and each time it is exciting. 

There are a lot of secrets, and Monarch isn’t the only one with them. If you are a fan of the Godzilla films, it is safe to say that this is going to be right up your alley. 

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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About Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco, and the shocking revelation that monsters are real, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” tracks two siblings following in their father’s footsteps to uncover their family’s connection to the secretive organization known as Monarch.

Clues lead them into the world of monsters and ultimately down the rabbit hole to Army Officer Lee Shaw (played by Kurt Russell and Wyatt Russell), taking place in the 1950s and half a century later where Monarch is threatened by what Shaw knows.

Based on the Monsterverse from Legendary, and starring Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski, this dramatic saga — spanning three generations — reveals buried secrets and the ways that epic, earth-shattering events can reverberate through our lives.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters premieres November 17 on Apple TV+

Tessa Smith

Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

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