Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

[TB12isGOAT]

I don't believe it. Lloyd actually found Harry.

[cgpublic]

Well, truth be told I had a number of reservations based on the trailers to date, and low and behold, it was worse than expected. It boggles the mind that you can throw in excess of $100M+ at a monster movie, feature Charles Dance, Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins, and still make a mess of it.

The analogue here is the fourth/fifth installment of the Transformers franchise. Sure, there's plenty of action/fighting, or, more on point, certainly more than G14, incrementally more than K:SI.

Is it well-executed? Is the requisite tension in place? Are there any narrative consequences?

Nope. There is nothing in this film that remotely approaches the Monsterverse predecessors, including the major fight sequences.

Anyone, including myself, can state in scene X Godzilla battles Ghidorah. You are 80% to where you need to be – why is it so difficult to position that scene in a context that matters?

Origin scenes are easy. Where you go from there is hard. But that's the job. So, do your job. There is no equity in any aspect of the film other than what was already present.

This film is supremely frustrating because it has zero ambition other than presenting a slew of monsters and getting us to the next installment, which I would have to believe is now in doubt once this debacle is said and done. At least Edwards faults in G14 could be attributed to an attempt to pay homage to the original.

I don't whose bright idea was to give Dougherty the reins to the franchise, but being a fan cuts both ways. Attempting to stuff as much fan service, especially for later era films, into two hours while crafting a film that actually fulfills the basic requirements of a film is apparently beyond his capabilities.

While it was worth the price of admission just to see them on big screen, that's only because I'm a very forgiving fan. I'm still giving this three out of five stars, all three to the equity that the monsters brought to the screen.

The missing two are for the director, cohorts (the score by Bear McCreary is terrible even when incorporating the glorious work of the past; the editing is a mess), cast (if I never see Vera Famiga on the screen again it won't be soon enough) and crew who failed to show up.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

That's assuming Toho relicense Godzilla to Legendary after their rights expire, which would be after the release of Godzilla vs Kong. Toho is also planning on expanding to the U.S. & want to start their own Godzilla universe so the chances of Legendary doing more with Godzilla after GvK are slim.

Even more reason for this box office handwringing to be considered irrelevant then.

[testmon112]

[Show spoiler]

There was some wonderful shots in this film, wish some of them lingered just a bit longer.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Sadly the filmmakers didn't see this as an important part of updating the Godzilla mythology for the 21st century, it might have made the movie even more appealing for today's audiences.

Well, while I do agree representation is important, it's also important to remember Godzilla, as are most franchises, is a global property, and what is representative for American audiences does not necessarily play the same in the ever important Middle Kingdom.

So, looking at the glass half-full, it's important to remember that an African-American woman is in a leadership role, that a Hispanic male has a technical leadership role, albeit both in a military context, and an African-American male has a scientific leadership role.

For a film with a Japanese origin, perhaps not everything some may want as representation, but generally speaking, not a severe oversight.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

Well, while I do agree representation is important, it's also important to remember Godzilla, as are most franchises, is a global property, and what is representative for American audiences does not necessarily play the same in the ever important Middle Kingdom.

Um, you do not seem to realize I was looking at the global picture here. Both Black Panther and the Fast & Furious franchise have been huge hits globally, the last F&F did 80% of its business overseas.

It's really not just about the US marketplace any more, is it?

Also, the black characters seemed to get possibly the worst deal in the movie, they are all relegated to grunt military types but of course the top commander is the white guy (Strathairn).

I mean, all in all, it could have handled a lot better, and in a way that would have attracted a lot more people to the franchise. From the point of view of representation, the movie is firmly still stuck in 1954.

Hopefully it will get better with Godzilla vs Kong!

[aiman04]

Originally Posted by testmon112

[Show spoiler]

There was some wonderful shots in this film, wish some of them lingered just a bit longer.

Those are great. I would love to see at least one monsters action during daylight though.

[AFFanAttic]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Well, I haven't seen the 98 version since it came out, no doubt a lot of movies back then were just terrible in terms of representation and stuff, it was easier to get away with it back then (unfortunately).

But yeah with the new Godzilla, it is certainly possible the filmmakers either truly didn't notice it or just didn't care. Also, it's 2019 so mixed couples do exist, right?

Sadly the filmmakers didn't see this as an important part of updating the Godzilla mythology for the 21st century, it might have made the movie even more appealing for today's audiences.

Honestly I am not sure if or how I would have recast any of the primary roles in this movie, or that I would have with race specifically in mind. To me, it can slip to a point where it feels forced and pandering. My main issue with the cast was that almost all the mains felt more recognizable from television, and they should have slightly raised the casting for Ron Livingston's part but I haven't cared to think of who I'd have rather seen there.

The soldiers as minorities does stick out though. To me, I think it's more about seeing when bit parts are being relegated in that way. If a family in the film is all-white, I don't think that needs to be shuffled up just-because. Casting either of the parents as not-white probably wouldn't have been the solution to that family feeling boring and basic to me.

Joe Morton did briefly appear as a high ranking official, though, and I'd imagine for that actor he'll have an expanded role in the next film. So his part could likely appear more important in hindsight.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by AFFanAttic

Honestly I am not sure if or how I would have recast any of the primary roles in this movie, or that I would have with race specifically in mind. To me, it can slip to a point where it feels forced and pandering. My main issue with the cast was that almost all the mains felt more recognizable from television, and they should have slightly raised the casting for Ron Livingston's part but I haven't cared to think of who I'd have rather seen there.

I agree with some of what you said but I'm puzzled about the "Ron Livingston part" bit....

[AFFanAttic]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

I agree with some of what you said but I'm puzzled about the "Ron Livingston part" bit....

I mean I wish they cast a slightly bigger face or name for that part. I know this is all way subjective, but his part pushed that feeling of "everyone's from television" a bit too far for me. MBB was fine and great in the part and should be there, Vera Farmiga worked, Livingston tipped it.

[jackinbox]

Originally Posted by Britnasty

The first film opened to 93M. How in the hell is this one, which answers everyone's complaints about the '14 one, going to open to half?

Some of these predictors don't think.

In fairness, I was way off in thinking Rocketman would be a serious contender this weekend.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by AFFanAttic

I mean I wish they cast a slightly bigger face or name for that part. I know this is all way subjective, but his part pushed that feeling of "everyone's from television" a bit too far for me. MBB was fine and great in the part and should be there, Vera Farmiga worked, Livingston tipped it.

Um, Ron Livingston is not in this movie, were you thinking Kyle Chandler?

But yeah, all white dudes look alike, right?

[AFFanAttic]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Um, Ron Livingston is not in this movie, were you thinking Kyle Chandler?

But yeah, all white dudes look alike, right?

Yes OMG I didn't even realize the difference after you said the other name and I had to google to see. My flipping Heavens.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by affanattic

yes omg i didn't even realize the difference after you said the other name and i had to google to see. My flipping heavens.

Lol

[Chaotic]

Charles Dance's character is one of the most underwritten characters ive seen a movie a long time. What a waste.

[kylor]

Originally Posted by Chaotic

Charles Dance's character is one of the most underwritten characters ive seen a movie a long time. What a waste.

Charles Dance was in Ghostbusters 2016. That, was a waste.

[cheez avenger]

Not surprised it would bomb. It's a crowded release schedule. You still have John Wick 3, Aladdin, Rocketman, and Ma. Rocketman and Ma are doing well, though, so it's not surprising that Godzilla would get lost in the shuffle.

Here's Scott breaking it down:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottme...A#4a2e8f3c5fc9

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Not surprised it would bomb. It's a crowded release schedule. You still have John Wick 3, Aladdin, Rocketman, and Ma. Rocketman and Ma are doing well, though, so it's not surprising that Godzilla would get lost in the shuffle.

Here's Scott breaking it down:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottme...A#4a2e8f3c5fc9

So, Godzilla is the new LEGO?

[Chaotic]

What does everyone think the drop will be next weekend? Im guessing 70-73%.

[captveg]

Originally Posted by Chaotic

What does everyone think the drop will be next weekend? Im guessing 70-73%.

It'll likely drop the standard 60%. I don't think Dark Phoenix is gonna do well at all, but Pets 2 will be a big hit because animated family films that get sequels often rake in the ca$h.

The MonsterVerse films have been more international hits than US ones; G14 was 40/60 split, KSI was 30/70. KotM might end up being 25/75 or even 20/80.