Monarch Legacy of Monsters: blending family drama with Kaiju thrills? (Apple TV series: trailer)
In the latest offering from Apple TV+, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, viewers are invited to a family reunion with a twist – a monstrous twist, that is. This isn’t your average get-together; it’s a journey through generations, monsters, and the secrets of a family entangled with the enigmatic organization known as Monarch. Created by Chris Black and developed alongside Matt Fraction, this series is the newest gem in the MonsterVerse franchise, shining bright with its unique blend of storytelling.
Imagine if your family history involved more than just quirky relatives and old photo albums. For the Randa siblings, Cate and Kentaro, following in their father’s footsteps means diving headfirst into a world of massive, city-stomping Titans and unraveling the mysteries of the past. The series, spanning half a century, delves deep into the saga of Monarch and its dealings with the likes of Godzilla and other Titans. It’s like uncovering your family tree, only to find Godzilla hanging out on one of the branches.
Set in the aftermath of Godzilla’s 2014 San Francisco tango, the Randa siblings find themselves in the throes of uncovering their family’s deep connection to Monarch. The series hops between the 1950s and modern times, giving us a multi-generational narrative that’s more complicated than figuring out your third cousin twice removed. And just when you thought family gatherings were tough!
The show stars an ensemble cast led by Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, and Ren Watabe, who bring the Randa family to life, alongside veterans like John Goodman, reprising his role from Kong: Skull Island. But the real talk of the town is the father-son duo of Kurt and Wyatt Russell sharing the role of Lee Shaw. Talk about keeping it in the family!
Director Matt Inns, channeling his inner Sergio Leone, serves up a visual feast reminiscent of classic westerns. Shot in the scenic Canterbury region of New Zealand, Monarch is a smorgasbord of practical effects, from squibs and blood to miniatures. It’s an old-school filmmaking approach that would make the ’80s action movie fan in you nod in approval.
Critics have taken a shine to the series, with Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic offering favorable nods. But let’s face it, when you have Godzilla and a whole roster of Titans thrown into a multi-generational family drama, it’s hard not to be at least a little curious.
So, if you’re in the mood for some monster action with a side of family drama (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), Monarch: Legacy of Monsters might just be your cup of tea. Or should we say, your cup of radioactive monster juice? Either way, this series promises to be a thrilling addition to the MonsterVerse, and it’s sure to keep fans of SFcrowsnest and monster aficionados alike glued to their screens.
