It’s still such a missed opportunity that Charles Dance isn’t just older Tom Hiddleston who’s pissed off after working for Monarch for 40 years and achieving nothing
I was convinced he would be! Especially with the Monarch show and everything, it'd give them a cool human antagonist. And he never died either, lets them write an ending for him.
Mixed reception aside, I really appreciate the way they reinvent and animate the classic Toho monsters into a modern setting. They look recognizable, but they have their unique characteristics to this universe, like Rodan being so hot that his skin is literally made of magma, or Ghidorah being so alien to earth's ecosystem that he causes storms just from his presence alone.
I remember reading the storms are caused by ghidorah’s wings being so powerful they affect weather patterns & his scales are laced with gold that promote lightning.
I personally HATE the Hollywood versions of Godzilla movies. No fun for me at all, and I think most of our American blockbusters are too STUPID for me to watch. If I want to see this much CGI, I'll play a video game.
@@bigatomicsloth3369 I agree. I was severely disappointed in how much CGI was present in the movie. I mean, according to leaked transcripts from the director, he was actually approached by the REAL Ghidorah and Godzilla, who both wanted to play themselves in the movie, but they were replaced by computer animated doubles. Such a shame that they couldn't get the real monsters.
I was co-ordinating one of the VFX teams for this film and it still stands as the most excruciating project any of us has worked on. One of the supes brought in a box of Godzilla shaped stress toys to try and lighten the mood, which did actually help because we destroyed several of them. Have never been able to enjoy this movie because of that experience, but have had fun with all the other Monsterverse films, so I dunno, maybe it's good.
@@zeronightex Ok, so there’s one shot in there that had-no exaggeration-236 revisions. And it’s not one you would expect. Literally, it’s an establishing shot panning from some foreground science facilities in the jungle to Mothra’s temple. The artist was being driven insane by the notes on this incredibly simple shot. Was on it for WEEKS. And then they removed it from the film. Poor guy suffered endlessly only for it to be cut. And then, with three weeks to deadline, it got revived and was back in. They ended up using something like version 18. Absolute torture. Some of the best people who I’m still in contact with are crushing it on the AppleTV show atm. But I know a few people who entirely left the industry as a result of King of Monsters.
17:23 2 Things: Firstly, Mason should be officially reffered to as Mr. Tuesday Movies. Secondly, him saying "And who knows, maybe there's a kaiju with a kitchen sink in there too" is one of the most Mason things that was ever said.
Maso can't become Mr. Tuesday Movies because they're technically married then and James wouldn't dare share his millions in podcast celebrity profit with him.
It's actually funny because in the Skull Island animated series on Netflix there is a skull island Kaiju thing that's a big dumb bulldog and he's kinda rad honestly
Identifying the film style as blue and mushy was actually a purposeful choice. While choosing the best Breaking Bad style filter for the Rodan scenes, the visual coordinator pitched an idea for cooler tones to take over while Godzilla was on screen. The idea was received so well that the working title for all Godzilla parts were termed Blue Harvests!
I love this movie, no matter what anyone says. I had a BLAST seeing it in theaters. Godzilla vs Ghidora felt gigantic, and I'll always appreciate how fun the experience was.
James and Mason have such good chemistry, and the visuals Ben and Lawrence pair with the ridiculous commentary is nothing short of art. I love this channel.
I know this movie gets clowned on by a lot of people but I love this movie so much, it’s just a fun monster movie with an incredible soundtrack and beautiful shots. Love the video as always mates!
So messed up thing about ghidorah,each of his heads have their own cell structure that allows each one to function even when decapitated,so during that entire death scene, Ghidorah felt everything. The decapitation, Godzilla's jaws gripping his wounds, and the atomic breath(until it reached the brain of course). Easily the most grusome death in the monsterverse as of yet
I really hated how they tried to give Vera Farmiga a completely undeserved redemption arc. Most of the events of the movie are entirely her fault and spends most of the movie completely on board with Charles Dance’s plan, then completely out of the blue changes her mind in the final 10 minutes
This, she’s the most sloppily handled character in the movie and I feel like people who call the human plot bad are really talking about her specifically but shitting on everything else anyway despite many of the other characters being quite strong because…. I guess we have to maintain the narrative that human characters in Kaiju movies always suck even though that’s been untrue since at least 1954?
@@davidtaylor142 if that’s how you feel that’s fair, but I can’t say I agree, and to be honest it gets kinda annoying how movie discourse always descends into “state your opinion as though it objective fact.” I thought the human antagonists were weak but found the human protagonists charming
It was her plan in the movie that Charles Dance was following, not the other way around. While I don’t feel that it was completely deserved, her character’s redemption was more a side-effect of what happened in the movie. She needed to buy time for her family to get away from Ghidorah by luring him away with the Orca (the animal call generator). Even if she had left it in a vehicle without a driver, Ghidorah would’ve lost interest in it too quickly and blown her and her family out of the sky. Someone had to die, and it just happened to be her.
I love this movie if only for the scene where the original Godzilla theme plays while Godzilla and Ghidora run at each other, that’s one of the coolest moments in a movie for me
beautiful how in Japan, Godzilla was originally a man-made evil, allegorical for the destructive force of atomic bombs. today in America, Godzilla is a big awesome lizard who's a good boy and gets Bonus Power from nuclear bombs
All I want from these movies is loads of monsters fighting each other and this one gave me exactly that and even made me sort of enjoy a big gross moth. 10/10.
@@exzyyd392 I'd say its more like free tickets to a Monster Truck show, like yea you probably got better things to do but are you really going to miss the opportunity to watch it in person just because you might die?
I really enjoyed this, it's my favourite of the modern monsterverse, possibly because I grew up with this franchise and so many of the classic creatures are featured here. There's tons of great touches for Toho fans too - Mothra's wings mimicking Godzilla's eyes, Bear McCreary’s score draws direct inspiration from Akira Ifukube’s and Yuuji Kouseki’s old soundtracks, just as many of the monster noises are taken from the original films and "upscaled". To casual cinema goers this won't matter a jot, and there's no denying the script is a bit lacklustre, but the level of detail and love lavished on the film's real stars is evident to us old timers and that elevates it above your average blockbuster effects movie.
As a massive godzilla fan my entire life, this movie is the ultimate love letter to the franchise, everyone involved perfectly understood the assignment, from the music to the designs to the choreography, the true spirit of Godzilla permeates the entire thing It's not the best film with Godzilla, but it is the perfect Godzilla film
Bro this movie was the weakest of the 4 films. Yeah it has lots of monsters but it wasn't executed the best. I'd rather of had Gareth Edwards direct it instead.
I’m with you, I’ve been watching Godzilla since I was like 2 (1996) my first Godzilla movie was the original (in Japanese for some reason, got it from Blockbuster I think) the monster movie genre isn’t and shouldn’t be viewed as the height of cinema, but this movie was absolutely a triumph within the genre. I by far think GvK is the weakest (while I still enjoyed it) but this gave me the adrenaline and excitement I felt as a kid watching the “Godzilla vs…” movies. The Godzilla movies are in to distinct categories imo. Action focused and Narrative focused. I love both and I think both dedicated legendary movies fit in to their respective categories very well.
Dude this is one of the worst godzilla films since the 70s. It's like the writers polled their toddlers for inspiration and then slapped a bunch of names on stuff without actually understanding the significance they had in the original run of films
I think the movie's references to the first 3 eras of Toho G films is why fans really like this film and general audiences find it middling. It is very much a fan's movie, from Burning Godzilla to the OG Monster Zero origin, the Shobijin being given a very quick and you'll miss it nod. And even as a fan there are things I wish got cooked a little longer for the film, such as the Oxygen Destroyer - a main plot device from the 1954 OG film, and it would have been even better if Dr. Serizawa had been instrumental in both its make and if he had chosen the nuke over using the destroyer instead. Like I said, great film for fans of the the franchise, but man it rushes in some places and goes too slowly in others. Also Bear McCreary's score is fuckin amazing. 11/10
I need more Behemoth!! The remastered versions of all the classic theme songs make this the best monster verse movie for me and all the different types of monsters designs
The shot of Ghidorah in the burning city with the cross in the foreground makes me burst out laughing every time. This whole franchise sells over-the-top nonsense really well; it's nice to see something like that played straight, without some guy named Chris going "Plese tell me tht didn't just happen?!"
This movie is severely underrated. Especially for how much the mainstream audience whines about not having enough monster fights and to much human plot. Easily the best American made godzilla movie ever.
That's kind of like saying the Last Jedi was fantastic. Great monster designs and some great monster moments but the story pacing ....was like written by a 12 year old on redbull. Nothing stood out or was actually memorable as it was all just a rush to get to the next thing we are going also rush by. LOL
I feel like the first two felt a lot more grounded, like they take place in the real world; this is where they started to feel like they take place in a sci-fi world. The human technology, the characters, the overall general tone is much more outlandish and over the top than the first two.
I actually really enjoyed this one. I know it didn't perform critically or commercially the same as Godzilla '14, but this was the perfect monster movie IMO. Compelling human characters and tons of monster action. What more could you ask for?
@@davidtaylor142True, the monsters fights are pretty good but damn these characters and the writing ruined this movie, this had a lot of potential and the Ken Watanabe scene is maybe the best of the movie but like G14 they killed the best character to follow way less interesting characters for the rest of the movie
A more developed villain would have been nice, like Charlse Danse is totally cool with Ghidorah destroying the world for SOME REASON, like it's not even just spite, his character just runs out of screen time and he just peaces out.
@@davidtaylor142completely agree the dialogue was driving me crazy with the constant attempts at marvel quips. Also the tech guy looks so much like Martian scorsese it's distracting.
I love this movie. To me, the human characters are the best in the entire Monsterverse, Mark is the ONLY protagonist with an actual character arc and Serizawa is far better than in G14, with a great sacrifice scene. Plus, Ghidorah was a great villain, and all kaiju and fights were amazing, a perfect mix between the G14 and GvK styles.
Mark was a Gary Stu. I just couldn't get on board with him. He's giving strategic commands to the military. He's the most helpful character in every scene he is in and solves ALL the problems. Character arc or not, he wasn't a believable character. He was an action hero facade in a Godzilla movie. I would even argue Slivko from Kong: Skull Island has a more believable arc than him.
There some of the worse in Godzilla history, half don't even have anything to do but just stand there. Rick in the script was literally titled "Rick Sanchez Parody"
@ultronemperor3525 Don't worry about him. It's all opinion based. Personally, I think Godzilla: KotM is a flawed but fun thriller of a film. However, I won't judge one's opinion of the film poorly because it's different from mine.
@clintmcbride7830 he gives strategic advice primarily based on his knowledge of animal patterns and behaviors. Which is why they recruited him kn the first place
Love how the movie starts just like the Roland Emeric one. The main character is studying wildlife only for a helicopter to show up with government agents in it telling him he’s being reassigned.
The way they treat the oxygen destroyer as a throw away line in a bloated uncoordinated action sequence is criminal. Completely robs the thematic weight it had in the original run of films.
I weirdly do think making this two movies would have been better, because I feel so much happens in this movie but we don't really get time to develop a lot of it, especially Mothra, the various other Monsters and the idea that Ghidorah briefly takes over. I imagine you could have part 1 focus more on Godzilla and ghidorah, ending when Godzilla gets defeated then open the next movie up and its pure monster chaos everywhere. It'd be like Infinity war and Endgame with big lizards. I don't think it would fix the lackluster human cast though
Still one of the best trailers of all time. Had me thinking the movie was going to change my life. The trailer should have been nominated for Best Film.
I think the issue with scale is moreso due to how the battles are framed. Most of the fights from the first movie are framed as if from a human perspective. Most of the fights either follow the humans with the monsters in the background or pan up from the ground. This movie zooms out and is trying to fit the whole monsters on screen at once making look more like the cities and people are minitures in a sense. Its focusing less on the spectacle of giant monsters and more on the action of the fights.
This movie was definitely more of an homage to the Godzilla and kaiju movies from the sixties and seventies. A somewhat silly sci-fi plot that enables the monsters to fight with characters just bearable enough to give us breaks in between the action.
That would probably be because they listened to people who either have delusions about old Godzilla movies or haven't many cry about how they didn't show enough fighting
This movie is absolutely a love letter to the Godzilla movies of the Showa and Heisei era. The number of nods and winks, direct references, call backs, it's all great. Some would call it "fan service" but I don't care. This is exactly what a giant monster movie should be. This is, without a doubt, my all time favorite movie ever.
This movie has its flaws, but I still appreciate it. Dougherty wears his love for Godzilla on his sleeve, and it shows in the movie. He does an immaculate job of making the creatures feel like characters in their own right. And i ADORE how this movie keys in on depicting the monsters as majestic and often beautiful, and not just monstrous.
Except he turned Godzilla into a superhero deity instead of simply just a metaphorical force of nature like he’s supposed to be. He completely missed the point of the character and just made stupid fan fiction.
@@shinndig1293 i'd argue the entire point of the movie's thematic core and visual language is that the titans, godzilla included, are not pure good or pure evil. They can be equally beautiful as they are viscious. Monsters can be benevolent, and humans can be cruel. Like the main message of the movie from my reading, is that anyone has the capacity for both good and evil
I remember seeing this in 3-D at my theater (it was the only showing I could make). Man I love these movies so much. Been a Godzilla fan since I was a kid and love all the Toho films as well. But it’s so cool to see this monsterverse grow into something cool. The Monarch show is good so far, Godzilla -1.0 comes to American theaters tomorrow (will be there to see that as well. Fingers crossed for a sub version though lol). It’s good to be a Godzilla fan right now
I remember Millie Bobby browns stupid smirk as Godzilla hauls ass towards king ghidorah and thinking “WHY ARE YOU SMIRKING AND HAPPY?? FOR THE LOVE OF GOD RUN!!”
3:06 we got another dr who clip in this ongoing saga: whereby editing together the 1 who clip in almost every recent caravan episode we can create a Dr who caravan of garbage (Ps guys if you want to you could review the 90s Dr who movie, that would be stupid in the best possible ways!)
I'm kinda surprised that they didn't talk about the lady's insane plan on trying to basically wipeout the world with monsters and let it start over again since nature began to overgrow the city Godzilla and the Muto fought in.
Big Godzilla fan here... (just saw Minus One last night REALLY hope you guys get to see it and discuss on the pod!!!!)... Having come off the first two installments, and waiting to see Hollywood takes on the classic Kaiju's and such a solid cast... I remember walking out feeling super disappointed.. It is my X:Men Last Stand... however... like X:Men Last Stand... i've grown to kind of appreciate it maybe even daresay "Enjoy" it... lol.. still... HUGE missed opportunity.
As a fan of King Ghidorah, I was pleased by the film. If you were looking for things to trim? Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga and Millie Bobby Brown. Give Ken Watanabe and Zhang Ziyi the lead human roles. Lastly, make Charles Dance's character the inventor of the machine. That would fix most of this films problems.
I dont care what anyone says- this is the best Godzilla movie. If you are watching a Godzilla movie for any reason other than to watch massive mythical creatures fight each other then what are you doing? This has the best fights and variety of monsters. As a plus the story is decent and the cast has good chemistry.
When I saw the shot with Ghidorah and the cross my jaw dropped to how cool it was. It does have a meaning. Ghidorah is also known as The Demon of the Galaxy, so it's pretty easy to connect demon and the cross. For the Monsterverse I like Godzilla, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla VS. Kong and then Kong: Skull Island.
The tone shift from 2014 to this was like whiplash. I love the tone of 2014, but KOTM just feels like a marvel movie especially with the out of place humor :/
It's the part in KOTM when they were following godzilla and he suddenly disappeared. The scientist says "I knew it, it's like a wormhole!" But it was blink and you miss it type of scene that should've meant way more than it did.
Love this movie! Very flawed, but when I was kid imagining what a big budget, polished CGI version of those old Godzilla movies would look like - this is basically the movie I imagined.
I recall watching this with my partner while I was sorting through my collection of sketches arrayed out on the floor in front of the TV, deciding what to dump and keep. I think I looked up a handful of times and just stopped completely after a point. I hated it.
Ken Watanabe is still alive. Deleted scene where seconds before the nukes goes off, he finds godzilla’s lead-lined fridge and hides in there Indiana Jones style.
You guys have grown to become my favourite RU-vidrs over the last year or so. Love it when you do a feature on franchises I enjoy! (Be nice if you did a run through Monarch when that ends, even tho is a series) But yeah, keep up the good work lads!
Kyle Chandler is actually the only actor who's faced down 2 different versions of King Kong, having starred in 2005's Peter Jackson's King Kong. Rushing to finish production on KOTM, they actually went back and harvested several unused blue screen shots of Chandler, leading to the original name of the film being Godzilla: Blue Harvest, which was of course the working title for the original Star Wars
How do you guys have such talented editors? Like how do they have time to find this stuff? The look on the mocap guy's face when Mason said the right head of King Ghidora was the sarcastic one was hilarious.
I completely forgot Charles Dance was in Ali G In Da House. That whole movie is a fever dream, especially Martin Freeman casually dropping the N Word multiple times
Despite being a fan of this movie, I still respect James and his review of this movie. Just like I respect his positive review of 2017’s Josstice League.* *Episode 212 of The Weekly Planet podcast, around the 1:05:00 mark.
I feel like this movie had the "Bay Transformers" problem of just a bunch of boring human characters getting in the way of the interesting stuff. The main cast of Skull Island was endearing and fun to watch. These people are a bunch of nobodies who can't do anything, and then *SUPERDAD* who solves every problem seconds after it begins because he's just the bestest ever. The movie just kinda......happens, and then it's over.
"Godzilla is Jesus... Jesus also got revived through a nuclear explosion." 🤣 Nearly died laughing with that one!!! Personally I enjoyed this one the best in the Monsterverse, saw it four times in theaters. Next time, though, don't make Godzilla an alpha - make him a sigma like John Wick.
