Thanks to Godzilla vs. Kong, Kong’s classic powers are unnecessary in the MonsterVerse. In Toho’s King Kong vs. Godzilla, Kong possessed an extraordinary ability not currently shared by his MonsterVerse counterpart. In the movie, Kong could become stronger by absorbing electrical energy and was also capable of discharging it from his hands.
Since Kong’s electrical powers were an important part of Toho’s interpretation of the pop culture icon, there was speculation that the MonsterVerse might one day head in the same direction. However, the inclusion of the axe in Godzilla vs. Kong erased the need for that to happen. Even though King Kong vs. Godzilla’s ending favored Kong, Godzilla was actually the favorite in both crossovers, but Toho’s decision to give Kong electrical powers helped even the odds. That’s essentially the same role that the axe played in Godzilla vs. Kong. While it ultimately didn’t grant him a victory, it did give him an additional weapon in his arsenal and an answer to Godzilla’s atomic breath.
How Godzilla vs. Kong Paid Homage To Kong’s Classic Powers
Godzilla vs. Kong replaced Kong’s electrical powers with the axe, but still found room for a fitting tribute to his abilities. In Godzilla vs. Kong's final battle, Kong appeared to be at death’s door after fighting Godzilla, but quick thinking from Nathan saved him. The HEAV jumpstarting Kong’s heart mirrored the moment in King Kong vs. Godzilla when a lightning bolt revived a brutally beaten Kong. Similar to how the lightning bolt gave Kong the burst of energy he needed to overcome Godzilla, the MonsterVerse’s Kong found his second wind and took down Mechagodzilla after getting a much-needed jolt from the HEAV.
Why Kong’s Axe Is Better Than His Classic Powers
Theoretically, the MonsterVerse could have copied the original movie and found a way for Kong to get his classic abilities. But, it’s for the best that the MonsterVerse found another path. While paying homage to the 1962 film was definitely something Adam Wingard's Godzilla vs. Kong needed to do (and also something it accomplished in its own way), it was also important for Godzilla vs. Kong to tell its own story and offer its own take on the fight. Godzilla vs. Kong achieved that by exploring the Hollow Earth concept and introducing an axe powered by Godzilla’s innate energy.
Plus, using the axe helped Godzilla vs. Kong avoid a major complaint tied to the original version of their fight. Not all have accepted King Kong vs. Godzilla’s ending, particularly since there was a feeling that Kong’s trump card against Godzilla came out of nowhere. To keep from making the same mistake, Godzilla vs. Kong needed to ensure that outside of the adjustment to Kong's size, it didn’t make any drastic changes to the character. By giving him an axe, which fit directly into the story and the history of the Hollow Earth, Godzilla vs. Kong succeeded in making Kong’s new weapon a worthwhile addition to the movie.
