Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is set to be the next mega blockbuster in 2024. Now that the film has celebrated its world premiere, here are the first reactions to the fantasy action
The MonsterVerse is proving to be a surprisingly robust franchise. Since Godzilla was released ten years ago, three more films have been released, which together have grossed almost two billion US dollars. With Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the next chapter in the monster saga is set to open in cinemas in a few days’ time.
How good is Godzilla and Kong’s new big-screen outing? Initial reactions promise an epic blockbuster that should really get the movie theaters shaking. However, there are also a few points of criticism. Nevertheless, it looks as if one of the problems of the predecessors has been solved
The initial reactions to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire give us hope for one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024
First things first: Godzilla x Kong seems to be a monster action film that delivers across the board. Anyone who wants to see larger-than-life creatures fighting will get their money’s worth. Dan Stevens fans also have reason to rejoice.
Godzilla x Kong is a powerful spectacle that impresses with its colorful images. The epic battles between the titans are breathtaking and are accompanied by a story with a gigantic heart. And then there’s Dan Stevens, who lolls around in a Hawaiian shirt for two hours.
GodzillaXKong is a momentous spectacle that dazzles with its vibrant technicolor visuals. The epic battles btwn the titans are jaw-dropping and are accompanied by a story with a gargantuan heart. Plus, there’s Dan Stevens flexing in a Hawaiian shirt for 2 hours. pic.twitter.com/PsBMAdsQjH
– Shannon | FreePalestine (@shannon_mcgrew) March 26, 2024
Germain Lussier from Gizmodo and io9 is more critical, but also turns out to be a Stevens stan. What makes him curious is that he talks about a new approach to the figures. This was previously a major weakness of the MonsterVerse.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is underwhelming. It feels 90 percent like a set-up for a final fight, which is solid but doesn’t do the build-up justice. There’s a new approach with the characters that works, but it never quite fits with the main story. Dan Stevens is very good though.
GodzillaXKong: The New Empire is underwhelming. It feels like 90% set-up for a final battle that’s solid but can’t live up to all that build-up.
There is a fresh approach to the characters, which works, but it never quite gels with the main story. Dan Stevens does rip though. pic.twitter.com/0PDPEB9P8I
– Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) March 26, 2024
Other opinions, meanwhile, promise the climax of the series for the time being.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the most entertaining MonsterVerse movie yet, the one where you get the feeling that everyone has understood exactly what this is all about. The story is a bit thin, but the titan battles more than make up for it.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the most enjoyable MonsterVerse movie yet, the one where it feels everybody understood the assignment. Story is a bit thin, but the titan smashing more than makes up for it. GodzillaXKong pic.twitter.com/gk8gDeYXhT
– Ian Sandwell (@ian_sandwell) March 26, 2024
It looks like Godzilla x Kong sees the movie theater as an amusement park and runs riot to his heart’s content. What would Martin Scorsese say?
Godzilla x Kong is a lively, action-packed, monster-filled battle royale. A literal translation of a thrilling amusement park ride on the big screen. Wingard doesn’t mince words when it comes to delivering the gigantic goods. The most fun I’ve had with the MonsterVerse so far.
GodzillaXKong is a vibrant, action-packed, monster loaded slugfest. A literal translation of an exciting theme park ride put to screen. Wingard pulls no punches in delivering the gargantuan goods. The most fun I’ve had with the MonsterVerse so far. pic.twitter.com/zJJo4PwIuA
– Epic Film Guys ® (@EpicFilmGuys) March 26, 2024
Many reactions indicate that Godzilla x Kong is a non-binding movie that you can just watch. But there’s also a tweet here that talks about expanding the mythology.
Godzilla x Kong is by far the best MonsterVerse movie. An action-packed fantasy movie that gives us what we want to see: Giants brawling. Wingard adds a lot to the mythology of this vast universe – a lot, really. Entertaining 100 percent.
GodzillaXKong is the best instance of the MonsterVerse, by far. An action-packed fantasy film that gives us what we want to see: the giants dealing blows. Wingard expands a lot – a lot – the mythology of this immense universe. Entertaining at 100%. pic.twitter.com/QU5HEA6i6S
– Joaquín Teodoro (@elreportedehoy) March 26, 2024
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However, it’s not a non-stop rollercoaster ride. The reaction below talks about a slow start before the action gets going.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire suffers from an extremely slow start due to a lack of dialog that is more cheesy than entertaining. Once the titans face off, the action is incredible, but it’s not enough. Looks pretty, but unfortunately misses more than it hits.
Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire suffers from an extremely slow start due to lack of dialog, which is more cheesy than entertaining. When Titans go toe-to-toe, the action is incredible but that’s not enough. Looks pretty but unfortunately misses more than it hits. GodzillaXKong pic.twitter.com/L9qQYTHIzF
– Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) March 26, 2024
Godzilla, Kong and co. deliver. The fact that Dan Stevens appears so often in the reactions can be seen as a good sign that the MonsterVerse is finally getting to grips with its problem with human characters. JimmyO from JoBlo highlights even more big names from the monster action cast.
Godzilla x Kong is huge titanic fun! Wingard focuses on the monsters, exploring Kong and co. and rightfully putting them in the spotlight. The new creatures are an asset to this ever-expanding world. And as for the humans, Dan Stevens and Brian Tyree Henry prove to be scene stealers, while Rebecca Hall and Kaylee Hottle are both great. The monsterverse is in good hands with Wingard.
Our man @JimmytotheO saw GodzillaxKongTheNewEmpire mad had a blast! “Godzilla x Kong is a whole lot of Titan fun! With emphasis on the monsters, Wingard explores Kong and company, rightly giving them the spotlight. The new creatures add much to this ever expanding world. And…
– JoBlo.com (@joblocom) March 26, 2024
Now we can look forward to seeing how Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is received by critics after the hype of the initial reactions. There is still an embargo on the film. The first detailed reviews will then arrive shortly before the film is released
