Image via Apple
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is a Kurt Russell fest for fans of this evergreen action star, that only gets better when audiences realise his son Wyatt is also onboard in this Apple backed monster mash. Unpacking a story that intentionally connects the dots between Skull Island and an alternate existence where muto roam free, and early warning systems exist in all major cities to alert wary occupants. With a string of storylines and family trauma at the heart of this high concept melodrama, Monarch should be a slam dunk home run filed with flying debris and pithy one-liners tossed out by lantern jawed alpha males, who spend their time staring into bottomless pits of despair as these prehistoric Godzillas locking horns and tussling amid the polished production values audiences associate with Apple projects.
What the Russell clan brings to Lt. Lee Shaw is a hint of an old-fashioned hero, who instinctively knows how to tackle any given situation, whether that might be traversing into a gorge to examine muto nesting sites or getting through passport control using old connections. This is what the action heroes of old carry off without breaking sweat, which is why Monarch is every inch a Kurt Russell homecoming, as his version of Shaw is savvy, secretive, and impossibly paternal but still manages to keep a cold edge to his character.
Image via Apple
His son on the other hand is softer, more forgiving, and less world weary having suffered fewer hard knocks, giving these actors their own unique challenges from different perspectives. Whether in 1952 or 2014, this playing field is still populated by self-seeking bureaucrats, acres of official red tape, and agenda driven roadblocks at every turn as countries muster their resources in pursuit of Monarch. Mixed up in this melting pot are the refugees of those failed relationships such as Kentaro (Ren Watabe) and Cate (Anna Sawai), searching for answers about their missing father Hiroshi (Takehiro). A confirmed philanderer, habitual cheat, and keeper of secrets that disappeared with him when this high-level Monarch staff member vanished.
Image via Apple
Unfortunately, this series takes three hours to lay down all those foundation blocks and hit any kind of road running with mountains of exposition, both visual and verbal, that gets intermittently interrupted by major FX moments. These include a blatant homage to Ridley Scott’s Alien early on and some subtle references to Jurassic Park, if only in terms of camera angles and lighting. That only leaves these writers Kurt Russell to go full force on the grizzled gravitas and steamroller over any melodramatic sub-plots, with his trademark charm to remain cool under pressure.
Image via Apple
Any emotional connection to Monarch is so dependent on audience awareness and prior knowledge of this universe, that a majority of people will cling to the Russell clan lift raft regardless. Since so much of what plays out either in flashback or otherwise has been seen before, and enjoying this show on its own merits is the only option. Thankfully, when you have the man behind Snake Plissken battling hundred-foot high mutos it quickly becomes apparent that redeeming features are irrelevant.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is available now on AppleTV+
