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Godzilla vs. Kong First Reactions: An Epic Face-Off Worthy of Both Iconic Characters

Reactions on social media say it's packed with spectacular visuals and incredible battles that make it easily the best in the franchise.

by | March 21, 2021 | Comments

In one corner, we have enormous praise for Godzilla vs. Kong on social media. And in the other corner, we have… anybody? Maybe one or two critics who think the latest installment of the MonsterVerse is just so-so? The positive reactions for Godzilla vs. Kong win!

Sure, maybe they’re not so into the story or the human characters, but if all you’re looking forward to is some great monster versus monster fight scenes, then you’ll be happy when the movie arrives in theaters and on HBO Max on March 31.

Here’s what critics are saying about Godzilla vs. Kong:


Does it live up to expectations?

It’s exactly what I wanted it to be. Giant fights, and they’re just SO MUCH FUN to watch. It’s a big, ridiculous, awesome movie.
– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com

Godzilla vs. Kong lives up to the heavyweight match it advertised with amazing visual effects and action sequences.
– Sheraz Farooqi, ComicBook Debate

Godzilla vs Kong 100% delivers on what it promises: being one badass monster movie.
– Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

Gives fans what they want when it comes to an epic face off between these two legendary Titans!
– Jimmy O, JoBlo’s Movie Network

Godzilla vs. Kong is ok I guess, sorta. Lots of cool s**t if that’s your bag.
– Rodrigo Perez, The Playlist


How does it compare to the others in the franchise?

Easily the best in the series!
John Nguyen, Nerd Reactor

Definitely the best of the MonsterVerse.
Megan Peters, ComicBook.com

Godzilla vs. Kong is the best of all the recent Godzilla and Kong films.
Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

The final battle is the most satisfying brawl we’ve had from this franchise yet, putting the camera where I’ve always wanted to see it in Godzilla movies.
Brad Gullickson, Film School Rejects

Way more entertaining than the two previous MonsterVerse movies with Godzilla in the title.
Eric Goldman, IGN Movies

The plot, human characters, and the lore explanations are the weakest in the modern franchise unfortunately.
Rob Keyes, Screen Rant

Kong: Skull Island > Godzilla > King of the Monsters > Godzilla vs. Kong.
Germain Lussier, io9.com


Godzilla vs. Kong

(Photo by )

Will diehard kaiju fans love it?

I had a total blast with this movie. It gets wonky and weird in all of the places a monster movie like this should.
Sean O’Connell, CinemaBlend

It absolutely delivers on the Kaiju thrashing.
Brad Gullickson, Film School Rejects


How does it look?

Godzilla vs. Kong is a visual spectacle featuring jaw-dropping fight scenes between the two iconic titans…this film is a blast!
Shannon McGrew, Nightmarish Conjurings

This movie is selling a spectacle, and that’s exactly what audiences will get.
Sheraz Farooqi, ComicBook Debate

The visual effects along with the fight scenes are absolutely spectacular in every way. The film feels like an amusement park ride.
Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

The colors! This world is so bright and colorful that it’s hard not to love looking at it. One scene feels like something out of a top tier theme park simulator; and that’s a huge compliment.
Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

Here’s the utmost praise I can give a movie like Godzilla vs. Kong: it is a coherent movie with daytime fights and I could always see what was going on. I truly mean that as a compliment.
Mike Ryan, Uproxx


Godzilla vs. Kong

(Photo by Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures)

What about the plot?

The story is crazy ambitious and at times achieves some unique sci-fi-coolness. I’d watch it again for that stuff.
Germain Lussier, io9.com

We’re getting closer to a balance between story and spectacle, and I’m optimistic of what the MonsterVerse future could bring.
Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

There’s one storyline that feels very extraneous, but otherwise I was into it.
Eric Goldman, IGN Movies


Will we care about the humans?

The human story complements the monsters’ adventures, allowing them to shine.
John Nguyen, Nerd Reactor

Genuinely affecting (the little girl’s relationship with Kong is the most emotional aspect of any of these movies).
Drew Taylor, Collider

Newcomer Kaylee Hottle is the heart and soul of the film.
Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment

Some of the human characters actually work.
Sean O’Connell, CinemaBlend

Godzilla vs. Kong 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.
Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com

Still don’t think they’ve nailed how to incorporate human characters, but the top-notch ensemble helps.
Perri Nemiroff, Collider

The human parts are still bafflingly bad.
Vinnie Mancuso, Collider

Most of the human angles are so overstuffed, illogical and pointless, it constantly took me out of it.
Germain Lussier, io9.com


Godzilla vs. Kong

(Photo by Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures)

What if we’re only interested in the giant monster battles?

The fights are epic.
Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

As expected – and probably as it should be – the titan fights are the best parts of Godzilla vs. Kong.
Perri Nemiroff, Collider

The kaiju action is what fans have begged for and will fulfill their need for action.
Megan Peters, ComicBook.com

Just seeing the two iconic monsters battling each other is worth it alone.
John Nguyen, Nerd Reactor

If you’re chiefly looking forward to seeing Godzilla and King Kong collide in a fight for the ages, you won’t be disappointed!
Adam Holmes, CinemaBlend

The parts where one giant monster wallops the other giant monster in the face are incredibly good.
Vinnie Mancuso, Collider

The Tokyo scene, in particular, which features lots of neon lights is fantastic.
Scott Menzel, We Live Entertainment


Does one of the titans shine more than the other?

The heart of the story is Kong.
John Nguyen, Nerd Reactor

Kong feels more central and man did I love him in it.
Eric Goldman, IGN Movies

This movie proves Kong lovers right. The far superior character.
Rodrigo Perez, The Playlist

They each have scenes that showcase their power.
Steve Weintraub, Collider


Godzilla vs. Kong

(Photo by Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures)

Are there any other major problems?

It feels like some stuff is missing, and it flies by on a greased rail. But that’s part of why I love it so much.
Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend

Wish it felt more like a MonsterVerse capstone, but I like it for the movie it is.
Eric Eisenberg, CinemaBlend

More time could have been used to explore this franchise’s deeper mythology.
Adam Holmes, CinemaBlend

It’s another “retrofitted and pared-down for the masses” “course correction,” with most of the world building absent and little reason for its existence beyond preemptive promises.
Scott Mendelson, Forbes


Will it leave us wanting more?

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.
Vinnie Mancuso, Collider

I will be watching Godzilla vs. Kong many more times.
Megan Peters, ComicBook.com

Give us more Monster Verse movies!
Mike Reyes, CinemaBlend


Godzilla vs. Kong opens in theaters and streams on HBO Max on March 31, 2021.

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