Nik Persons

GxK masters the art of visual storytelling without dialogue to a level unmatched by previous entries in both the Kong and Godzilla franchises. This film surges with energy and demands your imagination to fulfill the heartfelt story and spectacle packaged together. For Kong, this movie aces his story and characterization. Kong, throughout the story, earns his title as King Kong. For Godzilla, this movie maintains his status within the Monsterverse as an intimidating alpha titan with beautifully shot sequences sprinkled throughout the story. Godzilla has his share of badass moments worthy of the franchise's vault iconic of Godzilla moments. For the human characters, Dr. Andrews takes a lead role suitable for the emotional aspect of her relationship with Gia yet convincely leads Monarch towards understanding the new dynamics threatening the order established between hollow earth and the surface world. Other characters bring levity to the story without hijacking the movie's focus. Adam Wingard adds his 80s flavor to the movie's soundtrack and it makes for a potentially polarizing tone. Overall GxK is an exemplary monster movie with heart for any fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and/or monster films to enjoy.

Instant classic: Started playing in August of '23, so perhaps I dodged the initial issues this game may have had upon release. 2 styles happening at the same time: one as a fire team soldier in a cooperative first person shooter, the other as the predator in a third person action style hunt. As a fire team soldier, cooperation against a mission, AI enemies, and a human controlled predator is so exilirating. The nerves set in when the predator makes their presence known, just like the first film. Playing as a team is essential. Strategy matters. Although the predator is what I'm here for, playing as the fire team is an absolute blast. As the predator, strategy is everything. Fire team members are smart and anticipate your moves. The gadgets, gameplay, weapons, and perks bring the essence of the Predator movies to life. Eliminating the fire team is truly difficult and satisfying when accomplished. The game utilizes customization for both sides of the game. DLC features adhere to fans of the movies. The match by match pacing of this game works well with the game's style. Every match is a unique challenge of it's own, making the longevity addicting. This game is everything I want in a predator game. An AVP game with this style and gameplay would be amazing!

AVP (2004): The most underappreciated entry in the Alien and Predator franchises due to the fans' nitpicky standards to cannon world-building and reusable narrative formulas that happen to work when done well. From the Alien perspective, we lose a sense of continuity to the original Alien films' timeline as this entry sets itself for modern day Earth. However, detail usage from the original AVP comic story allows audiences to enjoy this story as a "one-off" experience for those expecting direct plot elements from the original Alien films. From the Predator perspective, this film expands on the Predator lore in epic yet controversial manners. AVP establishes solid, while not perfect, characters and their motives in the first act of the film. Alexa Woods and Charles Weyland serve as realistic, driving forces to the plot without either one delving into the typical protagonist/antagonist relationship to the story. Akin to Jurassic Park, these characters have genuine hopes and fears to an impending conflict neither understands. The first act paces itself well as it establishes intrigue to the set peices of an abandoned Arctic village to the multi-culturally designed pyramid temple that hosts the remainder of the story. Tension builds incriminatally as the Xenomorphs and Predators arrive to the our characters' discovery and exploration of the pyramid. Once our characters are thrust into the cross-fire of the Predators' and Xenomorphs' clash, the second act is littered with epic fights and adventure twists and turns as our characters cope with the overwhelming presence of 2 iconic sci-fi creatures. The third act divided fans of the Predator movies. (Spoiler warning) Our main character, Alexa Woods makes a character-defining (franchise altering) decision to recognize the lone Predator remaining as an ally against the growing Xenomorph hive. Said Predator, in a new turn of events for the Predator movies, mutually allies itself with Alexa to round out the third act. Many fans have a hard time accepting this plot turn. Those familiar with the AVP comics wouldn't be surprised by this plot dynamic. I, for one, love this decision as it reveals the complexity of the Predators' culture and makes the Predator more than a human skull-bashing monster. The alliance allows us to root for the predator without seeing the demise of human characters as an essential component to the Predator's greatness. AVP deserves praise for its consistent use of quality practical effects in an age where so many films fell in love with CGI to a fault. The sets and creature designs are creative, convincing, and well executed in the action choreography that blends partial CGI into wide shots at the right time. AVP brings out the best action sequences for the Xenomorphs in the whole Alien franchise with the perfect blend of suitemation, animatronics, and CGI in their fights with the Predators. Due to special effects execution, the Xenomorphs feel as dangerous as ever while the Predators continue to have bold, aggressive, and badass techniques in their actions. AVP makes for a fun yet balanced sci-fi action-adventure film. The PG-13 rating does not hinder the movie as so many have a pointed out. You can have a violent, tense story without skinned bodies, gushing blood, and constant F-bombs dropped as often as a group of middle schoolers at recess. Buy a DVD/blue ray version for $5 and see the extended version. AVP: Great movie, totally worth watching, made me a big fan of both franchises. 5/5