'Ramayana' and 'Godzilla' open to positive early reviews

The global box office is gearing up for a clash of epic proportions as the ambitious Indian film 'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend' faces off against Japan's monster film 'Godzilla Minus Zero'. As both films gear up to to release on the Diwali weekend, the makers held screenings this week, with early reviews and reactions now making their way onto social media.

While both films have attracted praise for their ambition and scale, the early buzz has tipped one film to take the lead.'Ramayana: Rise of a Legend', which held its first screening in Los Angeles, kept reviews under embargo until October 30. The early reviews that have since surfaced online have been mixed, with some critics praising its visual spectacle and technical achievements, while others have criticised its extensive use of computer-generated imagery (CGI).Screen Rant praised the film's technical achievements, writing, "On a purely visual and technical level, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is an impressive cinematic achievement."IndieWire also lauded the film's scale, stating, "Calling “Ramayana” epic may be a cliche, but there’s really no other word that would suffice."However, IGN offered a more critical assessment, writing, "A majestic epic falls victim to clunky action, eye-sore CGI, and awkward AI lip-syncing in what is, unfortunately, just a Part 1."

Another review suggested that the film's 3-hour-and-15-minute runtime left its narrative feeling overstuffed, arguing that a television adaptation might have allowed more room for the story to unfold. "Overall, audiences can still be swept up by "Ramayana," even if it feels so stuffed at times that it might’ve needed a "Game of Thrones"-level television adaptation to flesh out its narrative fully."

Meanwhile, 'Godzilla Minus Zero' has been generating considerable excitement following a series of press screenings this week.

The film, which is being tipped as a potential high point for the long-running franchise, currently holds a 92% rating based on 51 reviews. Early reactions have been pouring in on social media, with critics expressing enthusiasm for the latest instalment in the Japanese monster saga.Although the film had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on September 26, legendary Japanese studio Toho held additional press screenings this week ahead of its Centerpiece gala screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival on November 1.

The film is scheduled to open in Japanese theatres on November 3, followed by its North American release on November 6.Early reactions to 'Godzilla Minus Zero' have been overwhelmingly positive, with several viewers praising the film's emotional depth, spectacular monster battles and large-screen experience. One viewer called it, "truly the most epic movie I’ve seen all year and puts the awe in awesome. There are sequences that will drop your jaw on the floor."Another described it as "a loud, emotional, epic monster movie" and added, "Fans will love it. A couple of absolutely beautiful action set pieces that must be seen on the big screen. If you enjoyed Godzilla Minus One buy your tickets immediately for the sequel." Praising the sequel for building on its predecessor, another reaction read, "#GodzillaMinusZero continues and expands on the characters and themes of the previous movie, exploring the different ways people respond to post-war trauma, all while staging some incredible kaiju battles.

An exhilarating experience in IMAX, too."One viewer went as far as calling it the best follow-up in the franchise, writing, "#GodzillaMinusZero is the BEST followup G Film to date. Best comparison would be this is the Godfather Part 2 to Godzilla Minus One's Godfather. Toho should win another #Oscar for this film. Should be nominated for best picture. This Kaiju experience needs to be seen in IMAX!" Another compared the film to Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight', stating, "saw #GodzillaMinusZero last night.

where Minus One was the Oppenheimer of Godzilla movies, Minus Zero is THE DARK KNIGHT. it’s emotional. it’s intense. and it does NOT disappoint on the kaiju action. probably the best Ghidorah of all time. THEE imax experience of the year".A further reaction praised the film for living up to the expectations set by 'Godzilla Minus One', writing, "#GodzillaMinusZero had a hell of a lot to live up to following Minus One, but by god it does.

A totally different beast, this sequel is full of fully realised human characters you actually care about, and some utterly breathtaking kaiju action brought to life with some of the best visual effects you could see. Had the pleasure of seeing this at the BFI IMAX and Takashi Yamazaki really does make use of the larger scale with some spine-chilling moments.

I never thought I'd cry at a Godzilla film yet here we are..."

Written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, 'Godzilla Minus Zero' is a direct sequel to the filmmaker's 2023 film 'Godzilla Minus One'. Made on a reported budget of USD 15 million, the previous instalment grossed more than USD 100 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 2024.The official synopsis released by Toho for 'Godzilla Minus Zero' reads: “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' will clash with 'Godzilla' at the worldwide box office, the Nitesh Tiwari directorial will enjoy an undisputed run in Indian theatres, with 'Godzilla' reportedly getting a new release date.