Who Will Win the Battle of the Century? Godzilla vs. Kong Review
- gilatalina
- Aug 2, 2023
- 14 min read
Godzilla vs. Kong: The Ultimate Monster Showdown
Have you ever wondered what would happen if two of the most iconic monsters in cinema history faced each other in a colossal clash? Well, wonder no more, because Godzilla vs. Kong is here to answer that question. This epic monster film is the fourth installment in Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse, a shared cinematic universe that features Godzilla, King Kong, and other giant creatures known as Titans.
Godzilla vs. Kong is directed by Adam Wingard, who is best known for his horror films such as You're Next (2011) and The Guest (2014). It stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Lance Reddick, Kyle Chandler, and Demián Bichir as the human characters who get caught up in the monster mayhem.
godzilla vs kong
The film follows Godzilla and Kong as they are pitted against each other by a mysterious human conspiracy that threatens to wipe out all life on Earth. Along the way, they discover secrets about their origins, their homeworlds, and their destinies.
Godzilla vs. Kong was released internationally on March 24, 2021, and in the United States on March 31, where it was also available on HBO Max for a limited time. It received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its visual effects, action sequences, soundtrack, and fan service. It also broke several pandemic box office records, grossing over $470 million worldwide as of June 2021.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Godzilla vs. Kong, from its history to its plot to its reception to its future. Whether you are a fan of Godzilla or Kong or both or neither, this article is for you. Let's dive into the ultimate monster showdown: Godzilla vs. Kong.
The History of Godzilla and Kong
Before we get into the details of the film, let's take a look at the history of the two titans who are the stars of the show: Godzilla and Kong. Both of them have a long and rich legacy in cinema, spanning decades and genres.
Godzilla: The King of the Monsters
Godzilla is a giant, radioactive, reptilian creature who first appeared in the 1954 Japanese film Godzilla, directed by Ishirō Honda. The film was a metaphor for the horrors of nuclear war and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Godzilla was portrayed as a destructive force of nature who emerged from the depths of the ocean to wreak havoc on Japan.
Since then, Godzilla has appeared in over 30 films, both in Japan and in Hollywood, as well as in various comics, books, games, and TV shows. He has fought against other monsters, such as Mothra, Rodan, King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla, and more. He has also been depicted as a hero, a villain, or an anti-hero, depending on the context and the perspective.
In the MonsterVerse, Godzilla made his debut in the 2014 film Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards. He was portrayed as an ancient alpha predator who was awakened by human interference and who defended the Earth from two parasitic creatures called MUTOs. He returned in the 2019 film Godzilla: King of the Monsters, directed by Michael Dougherty, where he faced off against his arch-nemesis King Ghidorah and other Titans who were unleashed by a rogue organization.
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Godzilla is known for his iconic roar, his atomic breath, his dorsal spikes, and his immense size and strength. He is revered by some humans as a savior and feared by others as a threat. He is the king of the monsters and the protector of the balance of nature.
Kong: The Eighth Wonder of the World
Kong is a giant, intelligent, ape-like creature who first appeared in the 1933 film King Kong, directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. The film was a groundbreaking achievement in special effects and storytelling. Kong was portrayed as a tragic figure who was captured from his island home and brought to New York City, where he fell in love with a human woman and met his demise at the top of the Empire State Building.
Since then, Kong has appeared in several films, both in Hollywood and in Japan, as well as in various comics, books, games, and TV shows. He has fought against other creatures, such as dinosaurs, giant snakes, giant spiders, and even Godzilla himself. He has also been depicted as a sympathetic hero, a savage beast, or a misunderstood loner, depending on the context and the perspective.
In the MonsterVerse, Kong made his debut in the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts. He was portrayed as the last of his kind who lived on a mysterious island full of prehistoric creatures and ancient secrets. He protected the island and its inhabitants from various threats, including a group of humans who invaded his domain and a horde of skull-crawlers who emerged from beneath the ground.
Kong is known for his expressive face, his powerful fists, his agility and speed, and his bond with humans. He is respected by some humans as a king and hunted by others as a prize. He is the eighth wonder of the world and the ruler of Skull Island.
The Plot of Godzilla vs. Kong
Now that we have some background information on Godzilla and Kong, let's get into the plot of Godzilla vs. Kong. The film takes place five years after the events of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and score. The film features a variety of songs and music that enhance the atmosphere and tone of the film. The film also pays homage to the classic themes and motifs of the Godzilla and Kong films.
The soundtrack of Godzilla vs. Kong includes songs from various genres and artists, such as rap, rock, pop, and electronic. Some of the songs featured in the film are:
"Here We Go" by Chris Classic, which plays during the opening credits and introduces Kong's daily routine on Skull Island.
"The Air That I Breathe" by The Hollies, which plays during the scene where Jia gives Kong a doll that resembles him.
"Breaking the Law" by Judas Priest, which plays during the scene where Bernie, Madison, and Josh steal a van to escape from Apex's facility.
"Over the Mountain, Across the Sea" by Bobby Vinton, which plays during the scene where Kong is transported by air to Antarctica.
"Lance Reddick" by Lance Reddick, which plays during the scene where Lance Reddick's character, a Monarch director, briefs Mark Russell about Godzilla's attacks.
"The Hum" by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs Ummet Ozcan, which plays during the scene where Godzilla and Kong fight in Hong Kong.
The score of Godzilla vs. Kong is composed by Junkie XL, who is known for his work on films such as Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021). He incorporates elements from the previous MonsterVerse films, as well as from the original Godzilla and Kong films. He also uses different instruments and sounds to represent each monster, such as drums and chants for Kong, and synths and sirens for Godzilla.
Some of the best tracks from the score are:
"Pensacola, Florida", which plays during the scene where Godzilla attacks Apex's facility in Pensacola, Florida.
"Skull Island", which plays during the scene where Kong is introduced on Skull Island.
"The Hollow Earth", which plays during the scene where Kong and the humans enter the Hollow Earth.
"Godzilla vs. Kong", which plays during the first battle between Godzilla and Kong at sea.
"Mechagodzilla", which plays during the scene where Mechagodzilla is revealed and fights against Godzilla.
"The Battle of Hong Kong", which plays during the second battle between Godzilla and Kong in Hong Kong.
"Godzilla and Kong Prevail", which plays during the final scene where Godzilla and Kong defeat Mechagodzilla and part ways peacefully.
The Reception of Godzilla vs. Kong
Godzilla vs. Kong is a film that has received a lot of attention and praise from critics and audiences alike. It is one of the most successful films of 2021, despite being released during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also been a huge hit on streaming platforms, especially on HBO Max. Here are some of the reception details of Godzilla vs. Kong:
The Critical Response
Godzilla vs. Kong has received generally positive reviews from critics, who have praised its visual effects, action sequences, soundtrack, and fan service. It has also been criticized for its thin plot, weak human characters, and logical inconsistencies. As of June 2021, it has a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 357 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Delivering squarely on its title, Godzilla vs. Kong swats away character development and human drama to deliver all the spectacle you'd expect from giant monsters slugging it out."
On Metacritic, it has a score of 59 out of 100 based on 50 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews". On IMDb, it has a rating of 6.4 out of 10 based on over 180,000 user ratings.
The Box Office Performance
Godzilla vs. Kong has been a smash hit at the box office, breaking several pandemic records and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2021. As of June 2021, it has grossed over $470 million worldwide, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2021 and the second highest-grossing film of the MonsterVerse. It has also surpassed its predecessor, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, which grossed $386 million worldwide in 2019.
Some of the box office records that Godzilla vs. Kong has broken or achieved are:
It had the biggest opening weekend of any film released during the pandemic, earning $123.1 million internationally and $48.5 million domestically.
It had the biggest opening day of any film released during the pandemic, earning $21.5 million in China and $9.6 million in the United States.
It had the biggest IMAX opening weekend of any film released during the pandemic, earning $12.4 million globally.
It became the highest-grossing Hollywood film of all time in India, earning over $25 million.
It became the fastest film to reach $100 million at the domestic box office during the pandemic, achieving it in 12 days.
The Streaming Success
Godzilla vs. Kong has also been a huge hit on streaming platforms, especially on HBO Max, where it was available for 31 days from its theatrical release. According to WarnerMedia, it was the most-watched film on HBO Max in its first four days, surpassing Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), which was the previous record-holder. It also had the largest audience of any film or show on HBO Max in its first month.
According to Samba TV, a third-party streaming measurement service, Godzilla vs. Kong was watched by 3.6 million households in the United States in its first five days, surpassing Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), which was watched by 3.2 million households in its first four days. It also had a high viewer retention rate, with 90% of viewers watching at least five minutes of the film.
According to Parrot Analytics, a data analytics company that measures audience demand for content, Godzilla vs. Kong was the most in-demand film in the world in its first week, generating 51.8 times more demand than the average film. It also ranked among the top 10 most in-demand original titles across all platforms in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and more.
The Future of Godzilla and Kong
Godzilla vs. Kong is a film that has left a lasting impression on fans and critics alike. It has also left some questions and possibilities for the future of Godzilla and Kong, as well as the MonsterVerse as a whole. Here are some of the future scenarios for Godzilla and Kong:
The Sequel Possibilities
Godzilla vs. Kong ends with Godzilla and Kong parting ways peacefully after defeating Mechagodzilla together. Godzilla returns to the ocean, while Kong settles in the Hollow Earth with Jia and the other humans. The film also has a post-credits scene that shows Bernie, Madison, and Josh discovering a severed Mechagodzilla head in Hong Kong.
These scenes suggest that there could be potential sequels for both Godzilla and Kong, either separately or together. Some of the sequel possibilities are:
A Godzilla sequel that explores his role as the king of the monsters and his relationship with humanity. He could face new threats from other Titans, such as Biollante, Destoroyah, or SpaceGodzilla. He could also encounter new allies, such as Anguirus, Jet Jaguar, or Mothra.
A Kong sequel that explores his life in the Hollow Earth and his connection with Jia and Ilene. He could discover more secrets about his ancestors and his species. He could also face new challenges from other creatures, such as Giganotosaurus, Gorosaurus, or Kamacuras.
A Godzilla vs. Kong sequel that reunites them for another team-up or showdown. They could join forces against a common enemy, such as Hedorah, Megalon, or King Caesar. They could also clash again over a misunderstanding or a provocation.
The MonsterVerse Expansion
Godzilla vs. Kong also opens up new possibilities for expanding the MonsterVerse beyond Godzilla and Kong. The film introduces new concepts and elements that could be explored further in future films or spin-offs. Some of these possibilities are:
A Hollow Earth film that focuses on the hidden world of the Titans and its history and mysteries. It could feature new characters and creatures that live in the Hollow Earth, such as Manda, Baragon, or Varan.
A Monarch film that focuses on the secret organization that studies the Titans and its missions and operations. It could feature new and existing characters that work for Monarch, such as Dr. Serizawa, Dr. Chen, Dr. Brooks, or Dr. Stanton.
An Apex film that focuses on the shady corporation that antagonizes the Titans and its plans and projects. It could feature new and existing characters that work for Apex, such as Walter Simmons, Ren Serizawa, Maya Simmons, or Bernie Hayes.
The Fan Expectations and Demands
Godzilla vs. Kong also raises new expectations and demands from the fans of the MonsterVerse and the monster genre in general. The film has received a lot of positive feedback and support from the fans, who have expressed their desire for more films and content featuring Godzilla, Kong, and other Titans. Some of the fan expectations and demands are:
A continuation of the MonsterVerse with more sequels and spin-offs that feature Godzilla, Kong, and other Titans.
A crossover of the MonsterVerse with other monster franchises, such as Pacific Rim, Cloverfield, or Jurassic World.
A remake or reboot of some of the classic Godzilla and Kong films, such as King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974), or Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989).
A release of some of the deleted or extended scenes from Godzilla vs. Kong, such as the original opening scene with Kong in Skull Island, the scene where Godzilla fights Behemoth, or the scene where Kong fights a giant squid.
A release of some of the behind-the-scenes or making-of documentaries or features from Godzilla vs. Kong, such as the visual effects breakdown, the motion capture process, or the director's commentary.
Conclusion
Godzilla vs. Kong is a film that delivers on its title, Godzilla vs. Kong swats away character development and human drama to deliver all the spectacle you'd expect from giant monsters slugging it out. It is a film that celebrates the legacy and popularity of Godzilla and Kong, as well as the monster genre as a whole. It is a film that offers a thrilling and satisfying experience for fans and newcomers alike.
If you are looking for a fun and exciting film that features two of the most iconic monsters in cinema history facing each other in a colossal clash, then Godzilla vs. Kong is the film for you. You will not regret watching it on the big screen or on your streaming device.
Godzilla vs. Kong is the ultimate monster showdown that you don't want to miss.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Godzilla vs. Kong:
Q: Who wins in Godzilla vs. Kong?
A: The answer to this question depends on your perspective and preference. However, according to the director Adam Wingard, there is a clear winner in the film. He said in an interview: "I do want there to be a winner. The original film was very fun, but you feel a little let down that the movie doesnt take a definitive stance. People are still debating now who won in that original movie ... This really is going to be the definitive version."
In the film, Godzilla and Kong fight three times: once at sea, once in Hong Kong, and once against Mechagodzilla. In the first battle, Godzilla defeats Kong by nearly drowning him and forcing him to surrender. In the second battle, Kong defeats Godzilla by using an axe that is powered by Godzilla's atomic breath and striking him in the chest. In the third battle, Godzilla and Kong team up to defeat Mechagodzilla, who is controlled by King Ghidorah's brain and who overpowers both of them. After the battle, Godzilla and Kong acknowledge each other as equals and part ways peacefully.
Therefore, based on the film, Godzilla wins the first battle, Kong wins the second battle, and they both win the third battle. However, you can also argue that Godzilla wins overall, since he is the one who initiates the fights and who spares Kong's life. You can also argue that Kong wins overall, since he is the one who saves Godzilla's life and who lands the final blow on Mechagodzilla. Ultimately, the winner is up to your interpretation and preference.
Q: Is there a post-credits scene in Godzilla vs. Kong?
A: No, there is no post-credits scene in Godzilla vs. Kong. However, there is a scene that plays during the end credits that shows various newspaper clippings and articles that reveal some information about the aftermath of the film and the future of the MonsterVerse. Some of the information includes:
Monarch has established an outpost in the Hollow Earth, where they monitor and study Kong and the other creatures.
Godzilla has returned to his normal behavior and has not attacked any human cities or facilities since his fight with Mechagodzilla.
The Hollow Earth has become a new frontier for exploration and discovery, with new species and phenomena being found every day.
Some of the Titans have migrated to the Hollow Earth, while others have remained on the surface or in other locations.
Some of the human characters have continued their roles or changed their paths, such as Mark Russell becoming the director of Monarch, Nathan Lind writing a book about his experience, Bernie Hayes becoming a popular podcaster, and Ren Serizawa's fate being unknown.
Q: How does Mechagodzilla work in Godzilla vs. Kong?
A: Mechagodzilla is a giant robotic replica of Godzilla that is built by Apex Cybernetics as a weapon to kill Godzilla and control the Titans. It is powered by a new source of energy that is found in the Hollow Earth and that is similar to Godzilla's atomic energy. It is also controlled by a neural link that connects it to a human pilot who wears a special device that allows them to sync with Mechagodzilla's movements.
However, Mechagodzilla has a mind of its own, thanks to the fact that it uses one of King Ghidorah's heads as its CPU. King Ghidorah was a three-headed alien dragon who was Godzilla's enemy in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. He was killed by Godzilla, but one of his heads was salvaged by Apex and used for their project. When Mechagodzilla is activated, King Ghidorah's consciousness takes over and overrides the human pilot, making Mechagodzilla autonomous and hostile.
Q: What are some of the Easter eggs and references in Godzilla vs. Kong?
A: Godzilla vs. Kong is a film that is full of Easter eggs and references to the previous films and other media featuring Godzilla and Kong, as well as to other pop culture works. Some of these Easter eggs and references are:
The film's title and premise are based on King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962), which was the first crossover film between Godzilla and Kong.
Kong's axe is made from one of Godzilla's dorsal spikes and a bone from another Titan, possibly one of his ancestors or relatives.
Mechagodzilla's design and abilities are based on various versions of Mechagodzilla from previous films, such as Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993), and Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (2002).
The Hollow Earth is based on an old theory that suggests that there is a hidden world beneath the surface of the Earth, which has been featured in many works of fiction, such as Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864) by Jules Verne.
The warbats are based on the leafwings, which are flying reptilian creatures that appeared in Kong: Skull Island (2017).
The hellhawks are based on the pteranodons, which are flying prehistoric creatures that appeared in King Kong (2005) by Peter Jackson.
The heaves are based on the Ospreys, which are tiltrotor aircraft that are used by the U.S. military and other organizations.
The Apex Cybernetics logo is based on the Cyberdyne Systems logo, which is the company that created Skynet and the Terminators in the Terminator franchise.
The scene where Godzilla and Kong roar at each other in Hong Kong is based on the scene where King Kong and the Tyrannosaurus rex roar at each other in King Kong (1933).
The scene where Godzilla charges his atomic breath through Kong's axe is based on the scene where Thor charges his hammer with lightning in The Avengers (2012).
The scene where Kong jumps from one building to another in Hong Kong is based on the scene where Spider-Man swings from one building to another in New York City in Spider-Man (2002).
Q: What is the message or theme of Godzilla vs. Kong?
A: Godzilla vs. Kong is a film that has several messages or themes that it conveys through its story and characters. Some of these messages or themes are:
The importance of balance and harmony between nature and humanity, as well as between different species and cultures.
The danger of hubris and greed, as well as of tampering with forces that are beyond human control or understanding.
The value of friendship and loyalty, as well as of empathy and compassion for others who are different or misunderstood.
The power of courage and hope, as well as of teamwork and cooperation in the face of adversity and challenges.
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