Flawed King!!!! Second Godzilla Film Delivers Epic Monster Battles But Forgets Engaging Narrative!!!!
Review by Brandon Porter
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| ZILLLAAA!!!! |
Story Description
Millions of years ago, the earth was inhabited by massive beasts known as the Titans. They roamed the planet eons ago but have disappeared from existence. In the present day, these monsters are poised to rise again and threaten humanity on an unimaginable scale. The organization known as Monarch now appear to be completely outmatched by the likes of entities codenamed Mothra, Rodan, and the largest and fiercest of them all Gidora. Monarch's only chance for survival is to band together and join forces with the only one who can go toe to toe with these fearsome adversaries...the mighty Godzilla.
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| Madison and Emma held captive by Jonah and his Men. |
Critical and Financial Analysis
The Legendary Pictures Monsterverse has quietly become one of the more stable cinematic universes in recent memory. It's iconic title characters, Larger than Life action, and a well-rounded cast of veteran's and newcomers have made this franchise quite the spectacle to watch. The latest installment Godzilla king of the monsters looks to ride the momentum of his previous two entries by delivering on an epic scale and jaw-dropping awe. From a critical point of view, it was carnage to the highest level. Critics clobbered the movie hard with a brutally low 39% score on rotten tomatoes while the audience went the opposite route with a more positive 87% fresh rating. The film has been praised for its visuals and monster sequences but criticized plot structure and character development. The reaction is pretty lopsided with fans bringing up the fact that the monsters are the main reason to see the film. As for the box office, the film did capture the top spot at the box office though it did so performing under expectations with a $49 million dollar opening weekend. Additionally, the movie made $130 million in international markets for a worldwide total of $179 million. Godzilla King of the Monsters comes in with the intent of big bite but the mark is less than impactful from a critical and financial standpoint. The monsterverse is still promising in hindsight but some adjustments may need to occur for it to reach peak pop culture status.
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| Triple The Bite, Triple The Might |
Film Review
Godzilla King of the Monsters seems like the dream movie of anyone who grew up loving kaiju centric films. The title alone promises a lot up front and the pressure is on to deliver. With a loaded roster of incredible creatures including the title lead and a stacked cast, the film looks to rock the movie-going audience to its core. After seeing the movie, I am very torn with this entry in the cinematic universe. On the surface, it seems like a dream come true for monster movie fans. But looking closer, it gives a lot of sugar and sweets in monsters and brawls but severely lacks in other areas. Performance wise, there is much to be desired but there are still a few notable standouts. Ken Watanabe delivers possibly the most inspired performance with his dedication to his character's motivations and beliefs. He also delivers what I believe is the most emotionally moving and heartfelt moments of the franchise. Unfortunately, he is the only one who is remotely the most engaging of the bunch. Kyle Chandler, Millie Bobby Brown, and Vera Farmiga do solid in their roles but it isn't enough to pick up the slack for a rather lackluster human element. Some of the other cast are relegated to side characters who are not that interesting or fun. This really drags the story down and leaves everything to the monsters to pick up the slack. While we are on the subject, the monsters themselves do their part and do it well. Rest assured, if the lack of Godzilla was an issue in the 2014 reboot it is addressed fully here. He is present throughout the film and is shot with grace and scale making him a towering presence every time he is on screen. Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra balance out everything as they are captured beautifully and in stunning detail. Action wise, it shouldn't be a surprise that this movie delivers on the action with exhilarating set pieces that showcase its larger than life stars in a way that makes them the center of attention. I only wish the other elements of the film matched the ones that worked. All in all, I can't help but feel divided about Godzilla King of the Monsters. I got what I wanted in the form of big monster fights but without an engaging human narrative, the movie feels too reliant on spectacle to carry it through. If the franchise is to truly make waves, it has to find a way to get both the human and beast side to share the load and create a more well-rounded experience.
Rating and Final Thoughts
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| An explosive and raucous movie that delivers big on the thrills and beauty of monster fights despite the lack of engaging characters or an above average plot. |
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| Two kings, one throne. Who will rule?! |
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