Action-Adventure Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

[The Big G]

GvK leans Kong, but Godzlla still gets his due and is central to the plot ie Mecha-G

GxK is a Kong movie.

Spoiler

Take Godzilla, Shimo and Mothra out of the film...and it doesn't change the plot all that much. Hell they even talk about how Godzilla and Mothra were the ones to defeat SK and Shimo the first time and yet SK has no real reaction to them. He's mainly focused on being a dick to Kong and torturing Shimo with the crystal

If we get the 3quel, I hope its more Godzilla focused, but Kong shouldn't get the short stick ether.

 

[Cap2024]

Except GvK and GxK are already essentially Kong movies with Godzilla as a supporting character. Moreso the latter from what I've been hearing, so that would be pointless when he's already the focal character of the Monsterverse right now, even with the Monarch show's upcoming second season.

I got excited for a moment and checked - Monarch season 2 unfortunately hasn't been confirmed yet.

 

[Sithborg]

I would be all for a Kong or Godzilla solo, but I am wondering if at this point they feel like the duo are needed to sell the brand. Cause this to me felt like a Kong solo they modified to add Godzilla into cause GvK made money while KOTM struggled. So I don't think they're prioritizing monster solos. That's just my observation

I do think Kong has a bit more of a wider international appeal. And honestly, based on my understanding of how this series is able to continue, I just don't think they are dropping the Godzilla and Kong aspect for a while.

Of course the real brave move would be to do a Mothra solo.

If Legendary digs deep and gives us a solo with the same gravitas of Minus One, then I'd be willing to see that. But I don't see that in the cards.

Last Hollywood monster movie that had something to say was Cloverfield.

 

[Arachnerd]

I got excited for a moment and checked - Monarch season 2 unfortunately hasn't been confirmed yet.

Damn. Here's hoping we get an announcement soon, especially after that cliffhanger.

 

[The Big G]

Honestly Mothra would be perfect for S2 of Monarch.

 

[Arachnerd]

The problem with that is, there's not much you could do with her pre-KOTM.

 

[antsman41]

I thought it was neither better or worse than the last few movies. This franchise feels like the current equivalent to the Transformers movies - critics think they're bad, fans at best seem to be "its dumb fun!" and the movies have some human characters in a small cockpit looking off screen to giant creatures punching each other through the wonders of CGI.

For me personally it's hard to rank any of these movies over 6/10 because there's really not much depth or anything interesting going on aside from seeing Kong or Godzilla (which is fun for a few minutes but also wears off a bit). Maybe it would be more fun if the plot was better than "X has to fight Y or we die" or if the characters were more interesting but I think a key issue for me is that because you have these massive titans fighting, you need a lot of CGI and when you put so much CGI into it, a lot of the movie just looks fake, like a video game cutscene. It's hard to feel the weight of Godzilla or Kong smashing through buildings or waves in the ocean when it doesn't "feel" real.

I still had an enjoyable 2 hours at the cinema with my dad and sister so I don't mean to sound too negative!

The reason I rank some a little higher is due to the emotion I get from Kong, ala Caesar.

 

[Filmfan93]

Watching this after Dune Part Two felt like an insult to one's intelligence.

Horrifically bad and cheap CGI (this looks worse than GvK, most fights look like PS4 cutscenes), the humans are once more insufferable (for the 5th time now in the Monsterverse) and even the score is forgettable. It's once again a Kong film with a Godzilla cameo and the latter has around 7 mins of screentime total. No sense of scale any heaviness anymore - Godzilla runs around, punches things and does suplexes like in a WWE fight (last bit is a legit scene that happens in the film).

I might go see Dune for a 7th time to flush the bad taste left in my memory.

I expected at least to have fun watching big Kaiju monsters punching each other, but this had zero effort put in it on all fronts (and I loved Godzilla '14 and KOTM). Everything after just gets worse and worse, until it became a parody of itself.

2/10. It makes GvK look like a Citizen Kane.

 

[Sithborg]

Watching this after Dune Part Two felt like an insult to one's intelligence.

Horrifically bad and cheap CGI (this looks worse than GvK, most fights look like PS4 cutscenes), the humans are once more insufferable (for the 5th time now in the Monsterverse) and even the score is forgettable. It's once again a Kong film with a Godzilla cameo and the latter has around 7 mins of screentime total. No sense of scale any heaviness anymore - Godzilla runs around, punches things and does suplexes like in a WWE fight (last bit is a legit scene that happens in the film).

I might go see Dune for a 7th time to flush the bad taste left in my memory.

I expected at least to have fun watching big Kaiju monsters punching each other, but this had zero effort put in it on all fronts (and I loved Godzilla '14 and KOTM). Everything after just gets worse and worse, until it became a parody of itself.

2/10. It makes GvK look like a Citizen Kane.

Kind of like horror, you need to expect what genre of movie you are watching.

 

[Filmfreak]

In every genre there are good and bad movies.

 

[The Big G]

And Godzilla's Revenge makes GxK look like Casablanca

 

[The Big G]

Horrifically bad and cheap CGI (this looks worse than GvK, most fights look like PS4 cutscenes), the humans are once more insufferable (for the 5th time now in the Monsterverse) and even the score is forgettable. It's once again a Kong film with a Godzilla cameo and the latter has around 7 mins of screentime total. No sense of scale any heaviness anymore - Godzilla runs around, punches things and does suplexes like in a WWE fight (last bit is a legit scene that happens in the film).

The Tribal Chief just inducted Godzilla and Kong into the Bloodline

*Points Finger to the sky*

 

[Filmfan93]

Kind of like horror, you need to expect what genre of movie you are watching.

I knew what to expect as I really like the Kaiju genre.

But it has to be done right. GvK was better executed. It had better lightning, visuals and a sense of scale. GxK throws all of that away.

 

[Sithborg]

I really don't think GvK was excecuted better. The split between the human characters was rough. And while the human story wasn't exactly better (though I will still fight for Ilene and Jia to return in the sequel), instead of trying to give that free time to more humans, it was given to the monsters. Sure, the Godzilla stuff was kind of just there. But would rather have that or stuff more human stuff in there, probably just as "needed".

 

[Spider-Fan]

I dont think GvK is miles better than GxK, but I do think it's better overall. The 2nd Kong vs Godzilla fight that becomes Godzilla & Kong vs Mechagodzilla was cinema. I don't think GxK has anything as satisfying as that section of GvK. Though it has well done monster action as well

 

[The Big G]

Spoiler

Kong's Pocket Sand vs Godzilla's RKO Cutter/Suplex?

 

[Zantera]

Am I the only one who gets a weird feeling from them being so nonchalant about the destruction in the films? You see Kong or Godzilla throw another kaiju through 6 apartment buildings with some hundred people dying in seconds, or just one of them levelling half a city to the ground yet its all breezed over in such a way that it doesn't feel realistic. Like I get that you don't show the people dying or it would be as miserable as a Zack Snyder DC film, but when you treat it like none of this matters it makes it feel kinda empty and meaningless I suppose? It gets to a point when you think "So what if these monsters take over the planet? They've already ruined half of it"

 

[The Big G]

Am I the only one who gets a weird feeling from them being so nonchalant about the destruction in the films? You see Kong or Godzilla throw another kaiju through 6 apartment buildings with some hundred people dying in seconds, or just one of them levelling half a city to the ground yet its all breezed over in such a way that it doesn't feel realistic. Like I get that you don't show the people dying or it would be as miserable as a Zack Snyder DC film, but when you treat it like none of this matters it makes it feel kinda empty and meaningless I suppose? It gets to a point when you think "So what if these monsters take over the planet? They've already ruined half of it"

Your not wrong to feel that way, but Im not sure the movies are the best place the Monsterverse can address those topics.

The Monarch Show should dive into those topics (and it has a bit).

 

[KaijuDude1992]

I had an absolute blast with this and I think I actually prefer it over the first movie. The goofy human stuff is still there but when it comes to the Kaiju action I could not have been more satisfied.

As a BIG Kaiju/monster movie fan those last 20-30 minutes was pretty much everything I wanted out of one of these Monster-verse films and Kong's badassery was on full display here and I loved it.

7.5/10

Also Ranking:

1. Godzilla X Kong
2. Kong: Skull Island
3. Godzilla: King of the Monsters
4. Godzilla Vs. Kong
5. Godzilla 2014

 

[CB Fan]

This movie is ridiculous. I loved it. Had the most audience response I’ve seen during a film since either No Way Home or Multiverse of Madness. And I loved seeing the theater so packed!

 

[Spider-Fan]

I want to see this again before ranking it, which probably won't happen until it hits 4k/streaming. But if I were doing so by my gut right now, it'd for me be:

Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Godzilla vs Kong
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
Godzilla
Kong: Skull Island

Hot takes, I know lol! Godzilla would be higher if not for them having no human character to anchor the film after Cranston dies. Up to the point where he dies, that movie is near top of the list. Kong Skull Island I again loved the opening and I wish the entire movie was about the Japanese and American soldier having to trust each other and survive. Once it becomes a Marvel reunion, the characters are so boring to me. I think boring humans is an issue with all 5 movies, so it comes down to kaiju action. KOTM, GvK, and GxK have the best kaiju action. Even if the plots don't strive for a lot and are dumb.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

You guys and your rankings are reminding me that I need to rewatch Godzilla 2014 and Skull Island again.

But if I had to place anything at the top, right now I pick KOTM.

 

[Sithborg]

I dont think GvK is miles better than GxK, but I do think it's better overall. The 2nd Kong vs Godzilla fight that becomes Godzilla & Kong vs Mechagodzilla was cinema. I don't think GxK has anything as satisfying as that section of GvK. Though it has well done monster action as well

Spoiler

I was surprised at Mothra's showing. It was actually her best showing in a while, probably since the Mothra movies[/spoiler[]

Am I the only one who gets a weird feeling from them being so nonchalant about the destruction in the films? You see Kong or Godzilla throw another kaiju through 6 apartment buildings with some hundred people dying in seconds, or just one of them levelling half a city to the ground yet its all breezed over in such a way that it doesn't feel realistic. Like I get that you don't show the people dying or it would be as miserable as a Zack Snyder DC film, but when you treat it like none of this matters it makes it feel kinda empty and meaningless I suppose? It gets to a point when you think "So what if these monsters take over the planet? They've already ruined half of it"

Kaiju movies are essentially disaster movies. The destruction is part of the appeal. And, having a 100m tall monster randomly destroying things is a lot different than a man sized human who is trying to protect people just ignoring the destruction they are causing.

 

[Punisher_MAX]

Well, at least in Hollow Earth, there's a reason for their weightlessness so that complaint is a bit much for those portions. On land? Sure, but I personally think it's cool seeing Godzilla be a brickhouse that can move, it's refreshing.

 

[The Big G]

Deadline Reporting Friday/Thursday Night Opening Day of $35 Million....

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ Opening Scales Up To $75M, Still Second Best For Legendary Monsterverse – Late Friday Box Office

Legendary Warner Bros 'Godzilla x Kong: New Empire' is set to post the second best opening in the Legendary Monsterverse franchise with $75M.

deadline.com

It was definitely a good Friday for Legendary and Warner Bros with more walk-up business than expected as Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is now posting a $35M first day (plus previews) putting on the path to a $75M opening weekend. Also, the sequel nabbed an A- CinemaScore, which is the second best CinemaScore for a Monsterverse movie after 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, which was also directed by Adam Wingard.