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First reactions to Godzilla vs. Kong praise 'jaw-dropping' kaiju brawling, but lament half-baked human element

By Josh Weiss Mar 21, 2021, 3:35 PM ET

Credit: Warner Bros./HBO Max

And in this corner...The social embargo for Godzilla vs. Kong has lifted, so what do fans think of the latest entry in Warner Bros. and Legendary's expanding Monster-Verse? As expected, the kaiju-on-kaiju action is the standout here. Even with an ensemble cast that includes genre heavy hitters like Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Brian Tyree Henry (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3), the human element of the narrative still leaves something to be desired.

But that's to be expected. We don't go to these movies to check in with regular sized-people, we go to see skyscraper-sized creatures beating the ever-loving snot out of each other. Director Adam Wingard (The Guest, Death Note) seems to have a firm grasp on this concept because the early reactions are head over heels for all the epic battle sequences between the eponymous monsters of cinema fame. Godzilla vs. Kong absolutely reportedly delivers on its prizefight-inspired title, which is all you could really ask for. The only question is this: which one of the colossal beasties will take home the heavyweight belt?

Set after 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong kicks into overdrive when Godzilla starts attacking cities and hurting people for seemingly no reason. Humanity's only hope of stopping the alpha titan resides on a piece of land untouched by time. Kong's been growing ever since the events of 2017's Kong: Skull Island and can now take on the giant, atomic lizard — no problem. The giant ape, who only communicates with a young girl named Jia (Kaylee Hottle), is whisked away from his island home and brought into the gargantuan fight.

In addition to the actors mentioned above, the feature also stars Alexander Skarsgård (The Stand), Shun Oguri (Weathering with You), Eiza González (Bloodshot), Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2), Kyle Chandler (Godzilla: King of the Monsters), and Demián Bichir (The Nun).

Check out some of the reactions below...

#GodzillavsKong is a visual spectacle featuring jaw-dropping fight scenes btwn the two iconic titans. Wingardâs directing style is on full display in a colorful & breathtaking fashion that also harkens back to the 80s style kaiju. Needless to say, this film is a blast! pic.twitter.com/j31lc55iVO
— Boo McGrew ðð @ Screaming Into the Void (@shannon_mcgrew) March 21, 2021

#GodzillaVsKong spends a little more time with the human characters than I cared for but it never really tries too hard to take them or anything else too seriously. This is a good thing. Itâs just a wild blowout with the Titans fighting. Itâs great overall.
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) March 21, 2021

#GodzillaVsKong is fun, vibrant, action-packed, and energizing.

GvK lives up to the heavyweight match it advertised with amazing visual effects and action sequences. This movie is selling a spectacle, and thatâs exactly what audiences will get.
— Sheraz Farooqi (@SherazFarooqi_) March 21, 2021

I have see. #GodzillaVsKong and my review is that I am going to watch this movie every day it is available on HBO Max, turning the volume on my television up a little bit every time
— The Bye Bye Mancuso (@VinnieMancuso1) March 21, 2021

The human parts are still bafflingly bad, but the parts where one giant monster wallops the other giant monster in the face are incredibly good
— The Bye Bye Mancuso (@VinnieMancuso1) March 21, 2021

The action in #GodzillaVsKong is fantastic, well lit (thank you!!!) and exactly what you want from these two titans. Pretty streamlined story compared to the last one. Skull Island is still my fave, but itâs a close second in the Monsterverse for me. pic.twitter.com/x1Z8BVZi0r
— Brian Particelli (He/Him) (@BrianParticelli) March 21, 2021

Godzilla vs. Kong is the best of all the recent Godzilla and Kong films. The visual effects along with the fight scenes are absolutely spectacular in every way. The film feels like an amusement park ride. Newcomer Kaylee Hottle is the heart & soul of the film. #GodzillaVsKong
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) March 21, 2021

Hottle outshines every other actor & was the only human character that I cared about. The story here isnât very strong and the acting minus Hottle & Rebecca Hall is mediocre at best. That said, Godzilla vs Kong 100% delivers on what it promises being one badass monster movie.
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) March 21, 2021

Junkie XLâs score elevates the fight scenes & builds tension throughout. Director Adam Wingard brings to life multiple monster fight scenes and delivers exactly what fans of Godzilla & Kong wanted. The Tokyo scene, in particular, which features lots of neon lights is fantastic.
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) March 21, 2021

Had a great time w/ #GodzillaVsKong which I found way more entertaining than the two previous Monsterverse movies with Godzilla in the title - though Kong feels more central and man did I love him in it. Thereâs one storyline that feels very extraneous but otherwise I was into it
— Evil Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) March 21, 2021

I went to the theater for the first time in a year to watch #GodzillavsKong in IMAX and I loved it. Brian Tyree Henry and Kong were the highlights for me. The fight scenes with Godzilla and Kong were beautifully made. Easily my favorite film in the series.
— Nathaniel Brail (@NateBrail) March 21, 2021

Wingard's style is on full display here, as #GodzillaVsKong feels like a blockbuster ripped straight from the 80's in the best way possible. Easily my favorite of the MonsterVerse films and one that I cannot wait to watch again! Also, I need that score ASAP. pic.twitter.com/kTtumVddbd
— Nick Floyd (@IAmNickFloyd) March 21, 2021

I have seen #GodzillaVsKong and it is a really good film. The sense of scale is wonderful, the battles between Godzilla and Kong are glorious, and Adam Wingard does a great job with direction. Brian Tyree Henry, Rebecca Hall, Kaylee Hottle, and DemiÃ¡n Bichir are the human MVPs.
— Brick Deckard (@klond00) March 21, 2021

Oh hey, the #GodzillaVsKong social embargo lifted! Iâve seen the flick & it absolutely delivers on the Kaiju thrashing. The final battle is the most satisfying brawl weâve had from this franchise yet, putting the camera where Iâve always wanted to see it in Godzilla movies. pic.twitter.com/V13cAuzKrz
— Brad Gullickson (@MouthDork) March 21, 2021

#GodzillaVsKong is breathtaking, out of this world, and easily the best in the series! The heart of the story is Kong, and the human story complements the monsters' adventures, allowing them to shine. Just seeing the two iconic monsters battling each other is worth it alone. pic.twitter.com/cHEe1f579M
— John Nguyen (@JohnSpartan300) March 21, 2021

Godzilla vs. Kong stomps into theaters and onto HBO Max Wednesday, March 31.