Godzilla: King of the Monsters - General Discussion

[Voyager]

I agree, generally… but I really don’t feel like ToMG is made for kids. That’s movie’s pretty dark.

Have you seen some of the 70s Ultraman shows?

Yes, Terror of MG is pretty dark and violent, but this sort of thing was NOT unusual for Japanese kids entertainment of that era. At the end of the day, the movie was made for children. Honda's direction makes it a better and deeper movie, but it's still a kids film.

I understand that 70s Japanese media was very violent, but the themes of ToMG really point to a more mature audience.

[Legion1979]

I agree, generally… but I really don’t feel like ToMG is made for kids. That’s movie’s pretty dark.

Have you seen some of the 70s Ultraman shows?

Yes, Terror of MG is pretty dark and violent, but this sort of thing was NOT unusual for Japanese kids entertainment of that era. At the end of the day, the movie was made for children. Honda's direction makes it a better and deeper movie, but it's still a kids film.

I understand that 70s Japanese media was very violent, but the themes of ToMG really point to a more mature audience.

But once again, if you watch some other things made around that time you'll see that Terror isn't unique. Some seriously screwed up shit happens in episodes of Ultraman Leo, made around the same time, and that was a kids TV show.

[tbeasley]

I really wish they had toned down the teal/orange/stormy look to the movie, it would have made it far more enjoyable (well, besides other wonky areas to the movie). I mean G2014 has the cloudy/gray/overcast look to it, and the night scenes are what they are, but it's never bothered me as much as KOTM's look, I guess because KOTM goes out of its way to have monster fights then smothers them in weather and filters. Pacific Rim and Godzilla vs Kong were able to balance saturated colors and elements in a more satisfying way (or maybe it's just Hong Kong?).

[SG-17]

You know I rewatched all 4 Monsterverse films this holiday weekend and honest to god KotM is the best of them. The pacing, the music (HUGE bonus points here), the story, the fights, the human drama, the cinematography... its a perfect Showa Godzilla homage film. I really don't understand why it reviewed so poorly.

[Spuro]

You know I rewatched all 4 Monsterverse films this holiday weekend and honest to god KotM is the best of them. The pacing, the music (HUGE bonus points here), the story, the fights, the human drama, the cinematography... its a perfect Showa Godzilla homage film. I really don't understand why it reviewed so poorly.

It's primarily a loveletter for Godzilla fans first and a film for everyone else second, for better or for worse. I enjoy it, but I recognize its faults (the Oxygen Destroyer being the elephant in the room here).

[king_ghidorah]

You know I rewatched all 4 Monsterverse films this holiday weekend and honest to god KotM is the best of them. The pacing, the music (HUGE bonus points here), the story, the fights, the human drama, the cinematography... its a perfect Showa Godzilla homage film. I really don't understand why it reviewed so poorly.

It's primarily a loveletter for Godzilla fans first and a film for everyone else second, for better or for worse. I enjoy it, but I recognize its faults (the Oxygen Destroyer being the elephant in the room here).

This is perfectly put. It’s the best “Godzilla” film of the bunch in that it’s a love letter to the franchise. I love the film more and more which each passing year.

My problems with it have always been that the monster stuff kind of …..sucks. But even that is getting better with time.

I’ve said it before and I’ll said it again.

G2014 is the best film of the bunch.
GKOTM is the best Godzilla film.
GvK is the most fun.

I love ‘em all in their different flavors and varieties.

[Spuro]

I’ve said it before and I’ll said it again.

G2014 is the best film of the bunch.
GKOTM is the best Godzilla film.
GvK is the most fun.

I love ‘em all in their different flavors and varieties.

You know, I'll totally, 100% agree with this.

Between those three and the Reiwa experiments, we've gotten a lot of variety from both sides of the Pacific.

[GodzillaFan1990's]

G2014 is the best film of the bunch.
GKOTM is the best Godzilla film.
GvK is the most fun.

I love ‘em all in their different flavors and varieties.

And what of Kong: Skull Island?

IMO I found that more fun than Godzilla vs. Kong.

[king_ghidorah]

Skull Island is probably best indicative of what this series should be. It’s pop fun, just a hint of seriousness and world building, but it also doesn’t go full Marvel humor mode like GvK. It has its own distinct vibe which really hasn’t been replicated by any of the other films.

It’s a monster mash movie with one foot grounded in realism and one foot in pop escapism.

[JAGzilla]

It's partially indicative of what this series should be. Skull Island has some problems focusing on its characters. Tom Hiddleston just sort of stumbles into becoming a main character halfway through the movie, and we're left wondering why we should care about him.

[GodzillaFan1990's]

To date Kong: Skull Island IMO has the best human characters. If only the other MonsterVerse films had characters just like them (Except Serizawa and Joe Brody) especially Godzilla vs. Kong.

[Spuro]

IMO Tom Hiddleson’s character is the worst main protagonist of the Monsterverse. He didn’t add a single thing to the movie’s story OR its plot.

Say what you will about Ford, but at least he contributed to the narrative. Tom was just kind of there. The guy didn’t even track anything.

[darthzilla99]

You know I rewatched all 4 Monsterverse films this holiday weekend and honest to god KotM is the best of them. The pacing, the music (HUGE bonus points here), the story, the fights, the human drama, the cinematography... its a perfect Showa Godzilla homage film. I really don't understand why it reviewed so poorly.

It's primarily a loveletter for Godzilla fans first and a film for everyone else second, for better or for worse. I enjoy it, but I recognize its faults (the Oxygen Destroyer being the elephant in the room here).

As far as the Oxygen Destroyer goes, while it definitely could have been executed better, it was the overall best choice for serving the story. Look at it this way: Godzilla and Ghidorah are fighting, mankind wants to kill them both, and you need something to serve as mankind being reckless and arrogant. Here are your choices:
1. Oxygen Destroyer: self explanatory name and does not need that much exposition.
2. Anti-Nuclear bacteria: would have made the criticism of pro-nuclear narrative more valid
3. Nuclear weapon: Ditto for number 2.
4. Real life biological or chemical weapon: Would have portrayed Godzilla as being susceptible to conventional man made weaponry
5. Movie created weapon: Would have needed more screen time to explain it's effects.

[Godzilloide]

Reminder that Behemot is actually a tapir rather an elephant

[GodzillaFan1990's]

Reminder that Behemot is actually a tapir rather an elephant

I took Behemoth more as a mammoth/ground sloth hybrid.

[Monke]

Reminder that Behemot is actually a tapir rather an elephant

I took Behemoth more as a mammoth/ground sloth hybrid.

I’d include chalicotheres as well

[Anguirus]

IMO Tom Hiddleson’s character is the worst main protagonist of the Monsterverse. He didn’t add a single thing to the movie’s story OR its plot.

Say what you will about Ford, but at least he contributed to the narrative. Tom was just kind of there. The guy didn’t even track anything.

Oh dang, I totally forgot about Hiddleston's character, you're right!

I will say though, that I consider Dr. Stanton in this movie to be the worst character in the Monsterverse. All those cringy one liners pretty much ruined the film for me.

[LindenHS]

IMO Tom Hiddleson’s character is the worst main protagonist of the Monsterverse. He didn’t add a single thing to the movie’s story OR its plot.

Say what you will about Ford, but at least he contributed to the narrative. Tom was just kind of there. The guy didn’t even track anything.

Oh dang, I totally forgot about Hiddleston's character, you're right!

I will say though, that I consider Dr. Stanton in this movie to be the worst character in the Monsterverse. All those cringy one liners pretty much ruined the film for me.

That’s a funny way of spelling Sam Coleman.

Added in 5 minutes 6 seconds:

Reminder that Behemot is actually a tapir rather an elephant

I took Behemoth more as a mammoth/ground sloth hybrid.

I’d include chalicotheres as well

Same family tree as tapir actually!
Did a tweet about that awhile back.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Driscoll23Ja ... 6413803529

[Spuro]

I will say though, that I consider Dr. Stanton in this movie to be the worst character in the Monsterverse. All those cringy one liners pretty much ruined the film for me.

That’s a funny way of spelling Sam Coleman.

Both were pretty annoying.

The worst line (for me, personally) will always be Serizawa's "really long fortune cookie" line, though. On my 2nd and 3rd theatrical viewings I always chose that scene to have a bathroom break.

[Anguirus]

Oh God, that fortune cookie joke was terrible. Probably my least favorite scene in the Monsterverse. I honestly don't remember Sam Coleman, so I doubt I minded him much. But I'll have to rewatch again.