HBO Max launches in Germany with many different movies and series. MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes has to recommend a film that has been unjustly rated poorly by critics.
Which film is it? In 2019, Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters was released as a sequel to the American Godzilla film from 2014 (in between, Kong: Skull Island was also released). This time, it is not the humans who must confront Godzilla. The King of the Monsters faces another monster that wants to rule over the Earth.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received rather mediocre reviews from critics. With 351 reviews, the film only has a 42% rating. To me, that is a true scandal, as there are only a few films that can offer such a spectacle.
The King of Monsters is always impressive
What makes the film so good? Since 1954, Godzilla has represented spectacle. A gigantic monster that destroys entire cities is simply impressive. As in previous films, Godzilla in King of Monsters acts more as a hero of humanity, who must stop the threatening Kaijū.
And that alone is already a lot of fun. There are many monsters from Godzilla’s history to see, and the battles are intense. They are brutal, look great, and the bluish color and the constant rain give the film a unique look that I can watch over and over.
Especially amazing are the sound and the sound design. Godzilla (and the battles) sound fantastic. Sitting in the cinema seat, you constantly have goosebumps. Last year, I bought a sound system for my living room and the first thing I watched was this film. Godzilla literally made my living room shake, just with its roar.
That’s exactly what I love about the franchise. I want to see the giant creatures presented grandly to marvel at, jaw dropped, in front of the screen or the TV. And in King of the Monsters, the monsters are indeed beautiful, threatening, and spectacular.
Humans are the problem
What is the biggest criticism? The biggest problem with the film is precisely the humans. You often read that the action and battles are strong, but the boring scenes with the humans detract from it. And yes, that is true. Many of the dialogues are complete nonsense, and I would have preferred more monsters.
But there are moments when the humans show awe, respect, and wonder in the face of the monsters. Just like you do when watching the film. And frankly: silly dialogues are somehow part of it.
Overall, it’s the best film of the Monsterverse
from Warner Bros. Even though I had a lot of fun with Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong, none of the US films managed to capture the mystique of the monsters as well.
Make sure to watch Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters. It is a spectacle for the eyes and ears, and it shows why this franchise, despite its age, has not lost any of its fascination. And even if the humans are sometimes annoying: for all the positive aspects, you can ignore that.
Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters can be watched on the new streaming service HBO Max. Besides Godzilla, Batman, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter also find their place on the streamer. You can find more information here: HBO Max launches today in Germany – All info about the price, program, and subscription of the Netflix competitor
