“[the] juxtaposition of grandly goofy spectacle and silly melodrama ironically brings Godzilla vs. Kong most in line with its Japanese forebears. Toho movies, particularly in the late Shōwa era of the 1960s and ‘70s, embraced the outlandish with their human characters because they knew those scenes were otherwise just filler. Wingard and Warner Bros. have apparently reached the same conclusion in their rush to the action.” Den of Geek
“With the shortest runtime of this Monster-verse so far, the film doesn’t get too bogged down in its silly plot to make you want to fast-forward to the good parts. It’s an enjoyable popcorn flick that I’m delighted I got to watch in the cinema, on the big screen with a crowd. I just wish there had been three rounds in this knockout fight, not two.” Explosion Network
” …it is totally entertaining to watch these two mega-monsters fight and cause jaw-dropping destruction that we don’t have to worry about […] At least there’s some clever ideas about humanity worked into the script, but it’s really about watching Kong and ‘Zilla fight it out, then watching them team up and save the world from something much more evil and dangerous. Yet again.” First Showing
“Fan services can only do so much for a movie. The impressive climax doesn’t wash away the rather bitter taste of the weak plot. But do stay for the fight as this is the clash between two of the greatest pop culture icons ever created.” Geek Culture
“The much-hyped battles deliver the giddy thrills we demand but in the moments when the pair aren’t at war there’s also a staggeringly well-built and extensive universe to explore and one that’s barely been teased in the trailers we’ve seen. The journey to the core of the Earth is a film in itself and while visual touches are cribbed from both Star Wars and Tron franchises, it’s all so remarkably handsome that it’s hard to complain.” The Guardian
“Wingard directs and produces arguably the best monster moments of the whole series, also infusing a good dose of visual humour as well. The downside is the writing, sure you don’t expect Shakespeare but some of the dialogue leaves a bit to be desired, however monsters fighting are why you’re here and you’ll get that in spades.” Haddonfield Horror
” …the clash of these titans does not disappoint in its large-scale violence, with excellent visual and sound effects work bringing to life these iconic cinema creations, who hold a surprising amount of character amongst the roaring rampage. Infectious in spirit, fantastic in craft, and with its entertainment factor turned up to 11, Godzilla vs Kong lives up to its promise of a monster good time.” Matt’s Movie Reviews
“Wingard’s direction is thrillingly assured throughout, maintaining a strong sense of pace and keeping tight control of the tone, while the CGI fight choreography couldn’t have been better if they were actual men in suits. It’s also a testament to Wingard’s efficiency that he’s managed to bring the whole thing in at a mere 113 minutes, a rarity in blockbuster cinema these days.” Nerdly
“The events that get the story there are rather dubious and geographically unsound, but by the time we get to this point in Godzilla vs. Kong, we’re so primed so well for the battle royale that a few inconsistencies can be overlooked. Godzilla vs. Kong delivers on the long-anticipated promise of its title, and demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.” Rue Morgue
“Godzilla versus Kong is an absolutely lofty, madly ludicrous beast flick and effectively perhaps the most noteworthy at any point put on the screen. It conveys precisely what it guarantees, those searching for an extremely brainless popcorn exhibition will have a flat out impact.” Social News
“Responding to earlier criticisms, Godzilla vs. Kong is stuffed with inventively staged action, most of which now takes place in broad daylight. The film’s climactic battle even lays waste to Hong Kong Island’s iconic harbourfront. It also sets up a precarious detente that bursts with possibilities for many a clash of titans to come.” South China Morning Post
“The biggest criticisms of the previous movies have centred on the lack of action and the heavy focus on human characters. GvK bucks that trend and delivers a fierce, powerful and crowd-pleasing balance of city-levelling kaiju battles with the right level of human-based exposition to keep the narrative steaming along. The two concurrent human storylines actually benefit the final product…” Starburst
“In essence, Wingard has finally perfected the Monsterverse formula by drawing on the best aspects of the films that preceded his: Godzilla vs. Kong is exciting, fast-moving, funny, silly, strange and, most importantly, self-aware. The least successful flavour in this series has been the family drama, but this film has just enough moments with the humans without distracting from the monsters…” Switch.
“I got to see this film in a cinema where you could see the fight explode around you while the score shook your seat. I do not know how this film will translate to the TV or a mobile phone. It is not a perfect film, but it is a film that understands why people want to see it, and if you’re going to see titans duking it out in mortal combat, well, this is the film for you.” TL;DR Movie Reviews
Cast and characters:
Alexander Skarsgård … Nathan Lind
Millie Bobby Brown … Madison Russell
Rebecca Hall … Ilene Andrews
Brian Tyree Henry … Bernie Hayes
Shun Oguri … Ren Serizawa
Eiza González … Maya Simmons
Julian Dennison … Josh Valentine
Lance Reddick … Monarch Director
Kyle Chandler … Mark Russell
Demián Bichir … Walter Simmons
Kaylee Hottle … Jia
Hakeem Kae-Kazim … Admiral Wilcox
Ronny Chieng … Jay Wayne
John Pirruccello … Horace
Chris Chalk … Ben
Daniel Nelson … Hayworth
Ziyi Zhang … Doctor Ilene Chen / Doctor Ling
Technical details:
113 minutes
Aspect ratio: 2.39: 1
Audio: Dolby Atmos | DTS | IMAX 6-Track | Auro 11.1 | Dolby Digital | Dolby Surround 7.1
Box office:
Godzilla vs. Kong‘s box office takings has now crossed a new global benchmark taking $406.6M worldwide, Deadline reports. Much of that figure, $320M is via the international box office in China, Russia, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mexico. Lower attendance at cinemas due to the pandemic would obviously have pushed these figures much higher. And with that in mind, there are still over twenty theatrical release markets to come including Japan and the UK.
In combined like-for-like markets and at today’s rates and in pure box office income only, Godzilla vs. Kong is running 6% above Kong: Skull Island, 44% over Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 90% ahead of Godzilla.
Previously, Variety reported the film needed to gross at least $330 million in order to just break even due to its budget of over $200 million. But that figure didn’t factor in the streaming release sale to HBO Max which was estimated to be well over the films’ initial budget.
Trailer(s):
Meanwhile, here is the 1962 Japanese version:
