A Critical Review of Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) is a film that has garnered both admiration and criticism. This comprehensive review delves into the attributes that both fans and critics love and despise about this cinematic entry in the Monsterverse.

Introduction and Reception

What Fans Love:

Godzilla fans adore the kaiju action and spectacle in the 2019 film. The trailers and initial reviews were promising, highlighting strong casting and the potential for a thrilling, action-packed experience. Fans delight in the monster fights and the kaiju bring them immense excitement. The special effects and visual spectacle leave a lasting impression.

What Critics Dislike:

Critics, on the other hand, often point out the bland characters and exposition-heavy dialogue. The pacing is criticized, with some feeling the film rushes through too many storylines, resulting in a disjointed narrative. The plot, while intent on delivering thrilling monster battles, often feels shallow and the character development is lacking.

Positive Aspects: The Monster Action and Visuals

Monsters/Kaiju Fights and Visuals:

The 2019 GodZilla: King of the Monsters stands out for its kaiju fights. Unlike the reverence often shown to older Godzilla movies, this film treats the monsters as action heroes, providing exciting action sequences with plenty of destruction and boom and bust action. The visuals and soundtrack are praised as the best in the Monsterverse. The action is obscured with darkness, weather, and debris, but the explosive kaiju battles are rewarding to behold. Most of the video reviews corroborate this, highlighting the visual spectacle and energy of the fights.

Negative Aspects: Characters and Plot

Bland and Boring Characters:

My personal experience with the human characters in the movie was largely positive but not beyond reproach. While the lead actors provided a legitimate effort, the writing and character development were poor. Characters speak in bland, exposition-heavy dialogue that fails to engage the audience. Ken Watanabe is a standout, but the rest of the human characters are cardboard cutouts, lacking depth and engagement.

Sluggish Pacing and Excessive Story Elements:

The film’s pacing is criticized for being rushed. Too many elements are crammed into the two and a half-hour runtime, leading to a disjointed narrative. Characters like Mark Russell exude omniscience, but his knowledge and expertise seem to contradict the established expertise of other roles. The film aims to include too many plot points, including Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, Monarch, and a series of titans, all of which detract from the main story and provide a superficial breadth that feels mishandled.

Fan-Service Over Substance:

The film is seen as a love letter to the Showa era of Godzilla, but as a monster movie enthusiast, I find it unimpressive compared to the original Showa films. The plot points, such as the Oxygen Destroyer, lack the thematic depth and impact of their predecessors. While the 2019 movie paid homage to the original, the execution felt uncompelling and overly formulaic, with little innovation or depth.

Conclusion and Rating

Despite the enthusiasm for the monster fights and visuals, the film suffers from poor character development and an uneven narrative. While it offers some entertainment value, it ultimately fails to deliver a cohesive and satisfying story. As a reviewer, I acknowledge the positive aspects but remain critical of the core elements that made the earlier shows and movies truly exceptional. My final rating for this film is 5 out of 10, reflecting the areas where it excelled and where it fell short.

Rating: 5 out of 10