Tags
Godzilla, Godzilla King of the Monster, Godzilla King of the Monsters Film Review, Godzilla King of the Monsters Movie Review, Godzilla King of the Monsters review
Godzilla King of the Monsters
Review by Paul Bowler.
The monster mayhem abounds on an epic scale in Godzilla King of the Monsters! After their previous encounter with Godzilla the ultra secret Monarch organization has continued its research into the ancient Titans. Now eco-terrorists are determined to awaken these sleeping beasts. Soon Mothra, Rodan and the terrifying three-headed Ghidorah are unleashed and Monarch must seek out Godzilla once more to save the world!
Set some five years after Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla (2014), Godzilla King of the Monsters, directed by Michael Dougherty, and written by Michael Dougherty and Zach Shields (story by Max Borenstein, Michael Dougherty, and Zach Shields), is the latest instalment of the Warner Bros / Legendary Pictures’ Monsterverse film series
Featuring a strong cast Godzilla King of the Monsters fast-paced script introduces Monarch scientist Dr Emma Russell (Emma Farmiga) and her daughter Madison (Stranger Things’ brilliant Millie Bobby Brown) as they witness the hatching of the giant moth creature Mothra. Using a device called the ORCA, which emits signals that can influence a Titans behaviour; they are able to calm Mothra. But Emma and her daughter are then captured by a group of eco-terrorists, led by Alan Jonah (played with a suitably villainous flair by Game of Thrones star Charles Dance), who intend to use the ORCA to awaken the Titans to further their own agenda.
The Monarch scientists and soldiers, who include Chief Warrant Officer Jackson Barnes (O’Shea Jackson Jr), with Ziyi Zhang as Dr Ilene Chen and Dr Ling, Bradley Whitford as Dr Rick Stanton, Colonel Diane Foster (Aisha Hinds), and a returning Dr Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) and Dr Vivienne Graham (Sally Hawkins) from 2014‘s Godzilla, seek out Emma’s ex husband, Dr Mark Russell (Kyle Candler) – who created the ORCA with his wife – to help them in their search for Emma and Madison. Of course their quest also involves tracking down Godzilla as well, but when Ghidorah is revived all hell breaks loose, and the epic battle of the monsters which follows quickly spills out across the entire world as Godzilla roars into action!
Sure the script is a bit flimsy in places. Indeed, the characterization is even flimsier at times, but at its core Godzilla King of the Monsters is still monstrously good fun. However, the broken family unit of Emma, Mark and Madison (having been ripped apart by a terrible tragedy) are cleverly placed front and centre as the plot unfolds, and they offer a much need focal point amidst all the monster action, sci-fi jargon, clunky humour, and military gung-ho bravado.
Needless to say despite some of the scripts weaknesses, it’s the monsters were here for right? Well, as a big Godzilla fan that’s what I sure as hell was looking forward to, and I’m happy to say that in this respect Godzilla King of the Monsters delivered on ever level. The kaiju action is spectacular! Godzilla is especially impressive and powerful, Mothra looks beautiful, Rodan is as savage as hell, and the three-headed Ghidorah is a magnificent spectacle to behold. The CGI battle sequences are well orchestrated, we get right into the heart of the action, and the final showdown will simply blow you away!
With its spectacular effects, fantastic monster battles, and thrilling action Godzilla King of the Monsters left this Godzilla fan feeling very happy indeed. While it’s not without its faults, as Hollywood remakes go Godzilla King of the Monsters eclipses its predecessors, and delivers the monster action with breathtaking style.
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
Sounds like perfect summer fun! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Paul.
Thank you Cindy. I enjoyed the film a lot, there were some great monster battles in it 🙂
I’ve always felt that if a big monster movie like Godzilla is fun to watch, it doesn’t really need that great of a script. Take Final Wars for example. Its one big monster brawl movie with plenty of explosions, impalement and the terrible Matthew Brodrick Godzilla being completely demolished. What more do you need.
I’m not interested enough to watch this one in theaters, but I’ll be sure to watch it at some point. After all, I thought Godzilla 2014 was alright.
I know what you mean. When I see a Godzilla film I want lots of monster action as well. I quite liked 2014’s Godzilla as well, but I thought the pace of that move was a bit slow at times. Godzilla King of the Monsters is full on monster action and battles, so I’m glad I went to see it on the big scree. Will look forward to seeing it again when its out on Blu Ray / DVD 🙂
Still waiting to see this. Can’t wait!
There’s some great monster battles in Godzilla King of the Monsters! Its a really fun and exciting movie 🙂
I definitely liked the film quite a bit. I’ll admit that I really didn’t like Rodan’s portrayal (He’s always been an Alpha as well. Rodan backs down to nobody!) but beyond that all of the monster scenes were definitely on point. The special effects are stunning and when you walk out of the film you’re definitely quite satisfied
I really enjoyed Godzilla King of the Monsters as well. Rodan did get a bit of a raw deal, I agree. I thought the effects and monsters looked awesome as well, those battles were epic in scale. Great fun 🙂
This film is a lot more fun and epic than what too-harsh critics are saying. Is it a deeply emotional drama? Of course not! It’s a Godzilla film and a fine one at that!
I would love to see more from the Monsterverse. Some of the Titans shown in the film are worth films themselves. At least we’re getting at least one more with next year’s guaranteed blockbuster of Kong duking it out with Godzilla.
Totally agree. Godzilla King of the Monsters was a really fun and exciting movie. Yes, the script is a bit thin on substance, but its the monster action were all here for isn’t it? As for some of those harsh reviews from critics, well when you read them you can tell none of them have probably even seen a Godzilla movie before, or even know what they are talking about. I’d love to see more of the Monsterverse now as well, I’m sure the success of Godzilla King of the Monsters will perhaps pave the way for this. All ready for Godzilla Vs Kong next year, that is gonna be one awesome showdown!
I just hope that the next film does reasonably well so that we can get more Monsterverse films. The latest showed the potential for so many cool monsters that were teased with the references and Easter eggs.
I’m sure it will. Godzilla V Kong is going to be a must see monster showdown. There is certainly lots of potential to expand the Monsterverse now the ground work has been done 🙂
Beautiful movie poster.
I’ve read some mixed reviews about this film, but what’s not to love about a monster, flick, right?
Don’t Laugh: I hadn’t heard of Ghidorah before, so I had to do an online search. That looks like one impressive and terrifying monster!
It has a bit, but I think the awesome monster battles in the movie have won most people over. Godzilla has a lot of monster foes, so I’m sure a lot of people looked up who and what Ghidorah was as well. It sure is a powerful monster and adversary for Godzilla! 🙂