Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 31: The global box office is preparing for a major clash this Diwali as Indian epic 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' takes on Japan's monster spectacle 'Godzilla Minus Zero', with early reviews and audience reactions generating considerable buzz around both films.
Both films are gearing up for a Diwali-weekend release, and screenings held this week have brought their first reviews into the public domain. While both productions have attracted attention for their scale and ambition, early reactions suggest that 'Godzilla Minus Zero' is currently enjoying stronger word of mouth.
'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' held its first screening in Los Angeles, with reviews kept under embargo until October 30. The reactions that have since emerged have been mixed, with critics praising its visual grandeur and technical achievements while raising concerns over its extensive use of computer-generated imagery (CGI).
Screen Rant praised the film's technical quality, describing it as an impressive cinematic achievement on a visual and technical level. IndieWire also appreciated its scale, observing that the word 'epic' was perhaps the only description that could do justice to the film.
However, IGN offered a more critical assessment, pointing to awkward action sequences, distracting CGI and artificial intelligence-assisted lip-syncing. Another review suggested that the film's three-hour-and-15-minute runtime made the narrative feel overcrowded, arguing that a television format might have allowed the story to develop more fully.
Despite the criticism, some early reactions suggest that audiences could still be drawn into the film's grand presentation and storytelling.
Meanwhile, 'Godzilla Minus Zero' has received an enthusiastic response following a series of press screenings this week. The latest instalment in the long-running Japanese monster franchise reportedly holds a 92 per cent rating based on 51 reviews.
The film had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on September 26. Japanese studio Toho subsequently organised additional press screenings ahead of its Centerpiece gala screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival on November 1. It is scheduled to open in Japanese theatres on November 3, followed by its North American release on November 6.
Early reactions have praised the film's emotional storytelling, spectacular monster battles and large-screen experience. Several viewers have described it as an ambitious sequel that builds on the characters and themes of its predecessor, 'Godzilla Minus One'.
One viewer called it the most epic film they had watched this year, praising sequences that were expected to leave audiences stunned. Another described it as a loud, emotional and spectacular monster film, urging fans of the previous instalment to watch the sequel on the big screen.
Other reactions highlighted the film's exploration of post-war trauma alongside its large-scale monster battles. Some viewers also compared its cinematic impact to major Hollywood films, with one describing it as the equivalent of 'The Dark Knight' in the Godzilla franchise.
Directed and written by Takashi Yamazaki, 'Godzilla Minus Zero' is a direct sequel to his 2023 film 'Godzilla Minus One'. Made on a reported budget of USD 15 million, the earlier film earned more than USD 100 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 2024.
Toho's official synopsis for the sequel states: “War reduced Japan to zero, and Godzilla plunged it into minus. Two years have passed since then, and the country has faced agonizing struggles to achieve recovery and finally reclaim its daily life. Just as humanity managed to cling to a hard-won peace, a new threat strikes, crushing hope in an instant. There is no third time. Everything ends here.”
While 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' is expected to face competition from 'Godzilla Minus Zero' in international markets, the Nitesh Tiwari-directed film is reportedly set for an uninterrupted run in Indian theatres, with the Japanese film said to have shifted its release date in India.
With contrasting early reactions, both films are heading into the Diwali box-office season with considerable expectations, although 'Godzilla Minus Zero' currently appears to have the edge in early critical buzz.