Godzilla vs Kong (2021)

[Drizzle]

I was not a fan of Jackson's King Kong. It had things I liked about it, but it was waaaaaaaaay too long. There is no reason it needed to be like 3hrs. Absolutely none. It dragged really bad and felt padded.

I feel like the only reason why King Kong was three hours was because the Lord of the Rings films were three hours each. Being that it was Jackson's first post-LOTR project the studio let him do whatever he wanted. Personally I think he could have cut a good 10-15 minutes from the first third of the movie before they get to the island and then some scenes here and there in the two hours after to save for the extended cut.

The ps2 game for Jackson’s Kong was great, highly underrated. But damn was it difficult. If my memory serves me correctly.

That game is underrated, it's probably one of the better movie-based video games out there not just because of the gameplay but also because it only loosely follows the plot of the film, essentially becoming a new adventure. The basics of the main plot of the film are still the same. Ann still gets captured, the crew still sets out to rescue her and Kong still ends up in New York but it plays out differently in the game. For example, I remember that Colin Hanks's character died even though he lived in the movie and the ship's first mate who got thrown off the log by Kong in the movie survived a lot longer in the game.

 

[chesslover]

Spoiler

MECHAGODZILLA should look nothing like GODZILLA

 

[Arachnerd]

I will say James Newton Howard's score for it is one of my favorites, which is impressive considering he only had to 6 weeks to write, arrange and record it.

James Newton Howard is just underrated in general. One of my favorite film composers.

Spoiler

MECHAGODZILLA should look nothing like GODZILLA

As previous movies have shown.

 

[flickchick85]

James Newton Howard is just underrated in general. One of my favorite film composers.

Yeah he's been one of my absolute faves for years, too.

 

[StarLord]

Still hoping someone on here makes a wallpaper version of that poster!

Best version I could find -

Spoiler

 

[DarkKnight88]

I will say James Newton Howard's score for it is one of my favorites, which is impressive considering he only had to 6 weeks to write, arrange and record it.

Yes, it's a very beautiful score. I still would love to hear Howard Shore's rejected score that exists somewhere!

The other major complaint I had about it was that it romanticized Ann/Kong into more of a Mighty Joe Young situation.

It's really the way only to go with their relationship. They did much worse in the 1976 film by sexualizing it. I thought it was quite beautiful the way they handled it.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Count me as another who finds Peter Jackson’s Kong amazing and severely under rated. I did like the latest Monsterverse version though.

 

[henzINNIT]

Oh I can’t get enough of Jackson’s Kong, always watch the extended edition.

I do too when I watch it, but I also agree with those who say the film is too long. I'd have cut 15-20 more mins from the theatrical and added that to the extended. Both versions would have gone down better. But I can't begrudge Jackson his indulgences. It's part of the experience, and he wants it to feel like an epic voyage. If you have the time to invest it is worth it.

One thing I can't defend about King Kong is how awful the dinosaur stampede is and looks. A lot of stunning visuals in the film but that... ugh.

 

[Broseph44]

I do too when I watch it, but I also agree with those who say the film is too long. I'd have cut 15-20 more mins from the theatrical and added that to the extended. Both versions would have gone down better. But I can't begrudge Jackson his indulgences. It's part of the experience, and he wants it to feel like an epic voyage. If you have the time to invest it is worth it.

One thing I can't defend about King Kong is how awful the dinosaur stampede is and looks. A lot of stunning visuals in the film but that... ugh.

Yep the stampede is the one scene that unfortunately sticks out horribly when it comes to its visuals.

 

[StarLord]

 

[Roose Bolton]

It’s not my favourite version of the story, though Serkis’ Kong is easily the best iteration of the character for me. I think it’s probably his most underrated performance as an actor.

 

[kguillou]

Believe it or not I saw King Kong 2005 for the very first time just last year and I really enjoyed it. A bit too long but I felt engaged with it. I like long epics—but I have to be in a specific mood to watch ‘em.

 

[Venom75]

Hands down my favorite Godzilla film is Godzilla 1985. I know many prefer the Japanese version,and that movie has a bit more character development and no goofy Dr. Pepper advertisements,but the American version flows better with the action. And although he doesn't do much,I liked bringing Raymond Burr back. His speech at the end is still amazing.

 

[Alien Anal]

Man I wish they went old school metal for the music. I wanna hear Raining Blood by Slayer as they smash it out the sky literately rains down blood

 

[kaijukurt]

I think what helps make a Godzilla vs Kong matchup special is that it really is a once in a blue moon kind of thing.

Sure, BvS and The Avengers were also events but the characters meet up all the time in comics, cartoons, etc.

Godzilla & Kong belonging to different companies from different countries means even trying to bring them together is a challenge in itself in the first place.

 

[TheVileOne]

Count me as another who finds Peter Jackson’s Kong amazing and severely under rated. I did like the latest Monsterverse version though.

I think it's a solid movie, but it is way too long and has too many characters and too many subplots.

 

[TheVileOne]

I feel that Edwards gets tons of credit for how Godzilla 2014 looks. I feel like that's the main thing anyone praises it for if anything.

He's a great visual guy. The problem has always been that most of his characters are boring as hell

Aesthetically, and visually there is a lot I like about the 2014 movie. I like some of those moments where it's just like you are a person on the ground just catching a glimpse of this force of nature. The buildup to Godzilla's first reveal. The Muto reveal.

Edwards just wasn't able to put it all together. Killing off Cranston's character was a mistake. If anything, I would've had him sacrifice himself to save his son and his family at the end. Also, you would have Cranston in all the other scenes with the military guys analyzing how the Muto creatures are communicating. Some sort of payoff for what happened to his wife and finally giving him closure.

Ken Watanabe was terrible in that first film and offered nothing of substance as a character and was ineffective.

Aaron Taylor Johnson had the presence of a wet noodle. He didn't even seem all that concerned about his family's wellbeing.

 

[Sithborg]

Hands down my favorite Godzilla film is Godzilla 1985. I know many prefer the Japanese version,and that movie has a bit more character development and no goofy Dr. Pepper advertisements,but the American version flows better with the action. And although he doesn't do much,I liked bringing Raymond Burr back. His speech at the end is still amazing.

Sadly, you will only be able to view Return of Godzilla legally, not 1985.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I agree with most people that Jackson’s Kong is too long and suffers from too many characters. Some of them just feel completely unnecessary and some of the dialogue is horrendous. But I would say that Watts and Brody are two of the more likable and enjoyable leads in a kaiju movie. Even Jack Black is decent enough until he delivers that final, cringey line.

 

[Filmfan93]

I absolutely love Kong 2005. Seen it probably 6-7 times and have re-played the game at least 3 times (which i also adore, due to how unique the gameplay is - especially the T-Rex scenarios).

Fantastic story, visuals and score.

My only critique is that the film drags a bit in the first hour.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

I think it's a solid movie, but it is way too long and has too many characters and too many subplots.

Cant disagree with that in all fairness, the first hour needed to be trimmed definitely. The last 2 hours make up for it though.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Hands down my favorite Godzilla film is Godzilla 1985. I know many prefer the Japanese version,and that movie has a bit more character development and no goofy Dr. Pepper advertisements,but the American version flows better with the action. And although he doesn't do much,I liked bringing Raymond Burr back. His speech at the end is still amazing.

Godzilla's masterpiece is the original Japanese version of the original movie. Gojira. That movie is a powerful piece of cinema history and I think is one of the most effective pieces of cinema ever made about the aftermath of Hiroshima. They just happen to disguise all the stuff about nuclear bombs in a monster movie. No Godzilla movie has even come close to it, but it is hard to. Gojira was made to be a statement on Hiroshima in a time when Japan was still reading from its devastation. Since Godzilla has become a more commercial icon, the series doesn't reach for that type of depth. Which is fine. Godzilla's identity has evolved over time and I love Godzilla films. Even bad ones. They're just fun times. KOTM was a stupid movie, but I loved it. But as a film enthusiast, I also have to call em as I see them. Gojira for me is the best Kaiju monster movie ever. I don't think it has any real contenders.

 

[Loden Greatstorm]

 

[Galactus123]

I was not a fan of Jackson's King Kong. It had things I liked about it, but it was waaaaaaaaay too long. There is no reason it needed to be like 3hrs. Absolutely none. It dragged really bad and felt padded.

I don't find it too long. Its one of my favorite movies and I can't think of many scenes that could be cut. The only scenes that maybe could have been shorter are the Brontosaurus stampede and T-Rex fight. I have never liked the part when they get stuck on the vines. I should watch the extended version again because I haven't seen it in a long time.

 

[MadVillainy]

Yes, it's a very beautiful score. I still would love to hear Howard Shore's rejected score that exists somewhere!

Now that's a guy who I think is severely underrated/underappreciated. He still has some high profile jobs but I don't see why he doesn't work as much as say Michael Giacchino who I also like but feel he's a bit overused