An Honest Review of the MonsterVerse Movies

The first King Kong movie was released in 1933, and Godzilla followed more than two decades later. Until today, we've seen these characters in hundreds of films, comics, books, and other media. Legendary Entertainment has offered something new by creating MonsterVerse, a shared fictional universe with these characters. 

Godzilla and Kong are the leading protagonists, but we can see other familiar creatures in MonsterVerse. If you like monster movies and somehow missed this universe, it's time to catch up. But before you do that, check out our honest review of all movies released so far!

A Quick Look at the Timeline of MonsterVerse Movies

Before we proceed with an honest review of each title, here's a quick overview of the movies released so far.

It's worth noting that the creators plan a Godzilla vs. Kong sequel. At this point, we know it will be filmed in Australia. Eric McLeod, who worked on the initial movie, will be the producer, but there are no announcements regarding the title or release date. If we consider that the MonsterVerse established a rhythm of releasing a movie every couple of years, we can expect it in 2023. Until that happens, check out this detailed review of films already available!

Godzilla (2014)

The original Godzilla movie created by the Toho studio hit the theaters in 1954. It took over four decades for a Hollywood installment in 1998. And then we had to wait 16 more years for MonsterVerse and a Godzilla reboot. Gareth Edwards took the role of the director, while Dave Callaham and Max Borenstein did the screenwriting.

You get two main impressions from Godzilla. The first one is that the movie looks visually stunning. It's nice to see the creators used modern technology and a decent budget to create a spectacle. The graphics and sound effects are admirable, so try to watch this movie on a big screen with a good audio system.

The second impression is that Godzilla offers a darker atmosphere than the previous installments. If you are a true franchise fan, you know that the original is an antinuclear movie referring to the destruction of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Unfortunately, despite the darker overall atmosphere, this installment fails to send a convincing message. While it agrees that Godzilla is nature's way to "reset" the planet, the movie doesn't point to a single factor. Instead, it combines the violence of humankind, pollution, and other factors. And while that might be true in today's surroundings, the film lacks in leaving a true impression of who it wants to blame.

But Godzilla does an excellent job of being a fun monster movie. There are nods to Jurassic Park and other famous franchises. The action sequences look fantastic, making this a movie worth watching for all monster fans.

Kong: Skull Island (2017)

The famous King Kong served as an inspiration for many movies, video games, comics, and even online casino slots. After several film attempts from 1933, MonsterVerse offers a fresh take on Kong's origins. The initial story is a bit cliché – US soldiers, scientists, and adventurers gather for an expedition to a Pacific island. They don't know the island and unknowingly home to the turf of the mighty Kong and other monsters.

Jordan Vogt-Roberts decided to introduce Kong in the first part of the movie. The original from 1933 didn't reveal the creature until almost the end, which is understandable since it wasn't easy to portray a monster on-screen then. Today, with CGI effects and spectacular visual and sound designers, Kong has more time on screen. And he looks impressive, just like the other monsters that the team encounters on the island.

The movie is set in 1973 and loaded with references to the US war in Vietnam. You get to see a lot of monster action, even in scenes with flashbacks. It's an entirely different approach to the MonsterVerse's Godzilla. Kong: Skull Island is funny and tries to send meaningful messages. It doesn't do a spectacular job, but the dialogue is at a decent level for a monster movie. 

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

In the first reboot, Godzilla only received seven minutes on the screen. It was the fans' biggest complaint, so the creators ironed that out in this sequel from 2019. Godzilla: King of the Monsters is another visually stunning movie. It does a great job as being a proper monster bash, especially if you like watching supersized creatures fighting.

But Godzilla KOTM also dives into the MonsterVerse at a serious level. We know that Warner Bros loves reimagining existing universes, and Joker (2021) is the best example of that. The idea is that humankind did bad and almost led itself to extinction. Some believe that "monsters" can be the cure that will restore biological balance and save the planet.

The story seems compelling, especially with the monsters' roles in it. Some suggestions are that monsters represent personal issues and traumas characters have. Ultimately, Godzilla KOTM does an excellent job of being a monster basher with a decent plot. The movie does try too much at times, but if you think about it, it makes the entire MonsterVerse plot deep and impressive.

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

The first three movies introduced the MonsterVerse, and it was an introduction well done. Godzilla vs. Kong is the first peak movie in this shared fictional universe. And if you check its IMDB rating, you'll see that although it's not the best-rated movie in the MonsterVerse, it seems to be the most satisfying one.

At this point, you'll already be comfortable with how this fictional world works. Monsters that humans released from the Hollow Earth are only fighting for territory, and it might be possible to coexist. However, not everyone thinks so, and everyone watches their own interests. Even when humankind faces extinction, people are thinking about personal profit.

It's hard not to spoil the plot, but the movie features impressive action and twists. The visual presentation is admirable, and this could be the best studio film released in 2021.

Final Thoughts

Godzilla is a project of the Japanese Toho studio, but MonsterVerse is a US franchise. It's an obvious internalization of Godzilla joined by Kong and other monsters. It does offer a fresh take on all these creatures and something we haven't seen so far. 

Furthermore, MonsterVerse is an obvious Warner Bros' attempt to create a multiverse that resembles those featuring Marvel characters. The good news is that it doesn't disappoint Godzilla or monster fans. It does a great job and learns on the go. That means it gets better with each new movie, and we are excited about upcoming sequels!

If you are a fan of Godzilla, Toho and the Monsterverse and are looking for a welcoming online community to share your passion and engage with other die-hard Godzilla fans, look no further! Join in the Godzilla Movies forum - a dedicated community of Godzilla movie and Monsterverse fans!

Godzilla Quick Links

• Godzilla vs. Kong 2 Official Plot Synopsis
• New Godzilla Monsterverse game in development by Legendary and 7Levels!
• Matt Shakman to direct Monsterverse Godzilla Series for Apple TV!

Get G-ed Up!

With the upcoming release of Adam Wingard's Godzilla vs. Kong, now is a great time to pick your Titan and represent Godzilla or Kong! Check out some products below and click here for even more options!

This article was written By Chris and published on 2022-07-25 06:50:43

More about upcoming Godzilla & Monsterverse projects

Godzilla vs. Kong was the sequel to Michael Dougherty's Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters and was the fourth and final installment in the Monsterverse movie quadrilogy. Now, the Monsterverse takes a new direction - into TV! On January 20th, 2022 Legendary announced a new live-action Godzilla Monsterverse TV Series which will stream on Apple TV Plus network! Be sure to check Godzilla-Movies often for the latest news and info on the Monsterverse TV Series and all things Toho Godzilla as well!

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