Colossal reviewed by Mark Kermode

Mark Kermode reviews Colossal. A down-on-her-luck party girl, forced to leave her life in New York and return home, finds herself seemingly connected to a giant creature that is destroying the city of Seoul.
Please tell us what you think of the film -- or Mark’s review of the film - below. We love to include your views on the show every Friday.
www.bbc.co.uk/5...
Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live.

[@roxyqueen2]

It definitely looked at alcohol abuse but a big aspect that stood out to me was the portrayal of the manipulative 'nice guy' in the form of Oscar. Jason Bateman actually says at one point 'I'm done being Mr Nice Guy' - now how many people have been on the receiving end of someone like that? Those types think they can manipulate their way through life by putting on a mask. For me, it's that guy I turned down for a date and who handed me abuse because they'd only been 'nice' to me. This happens a lot, certainly not just to me. It felt a bit too real, but important to see it on screen.

[@michaeljohn1978]

Or Jason Sudeikis even. Maybe they should've got Jason Statham, so at least he could've had a punch-up with the kaiju ;)

[@roxyqueen2]

They do look similar, to be fair. Or maybe that's just me...

[@michaeljohn1978]

But I'm guessing you only confused them because they're both called Jason. You had me checking wikipedia to make sure Jason Bateman wasn't in it as well before I made my first comment lol

[@josephsvennson5694]

Jason Momoa was excellent in it.

[@clash79]

I thought it was Jason Alexander. Oscar's getting upset!

[@cifratv]

Still, with over 50 2017 films seen and (many of them, deconstructed and analyzed), my undisputable #1 of 2017, and a film for the ages. Really close to perfection, the only minor, extremely minor flaws, come from budget limitations, not from the creative side.

[@marksieving7925]

He had me at "This is a very, very peculiar film."

[@andyg9835]

‘Colossal’ was so much better than I thought it was going to be. It’s really a discourse on abusive drinking, the stupid things we do when blotto, and the damage that excessive alcohol causes to relationships. This sounds ironically dry, which it would be if it wasn’t for the humour, acutely accurate characterisation, and the analogy of a giant monster and robot inadvertently trashing a city. If you’ve recognised the downside to alcohol abuse then this film will resonate with you; but if you’re used to downing shots and chasers until you eyes bleed, then you might wonder what this film is getting at. 3/5

[@bluesjazznotes9436]

This film has a lot going for it and apart from a couple of issues I had with the film, this was fresh and very enjoyable.

[@ip7801]

what were your issues with it? i know it's been a while but if you remember...

[@danielshirazi6636]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Mark's dapper suit 🙌

[@Cinemactik]

best of the year so far. so fun, so surprising. there really is nothing else like it.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@GoldenGyroBalls]

The things I've been hearing about this make it sound like this year's Swiss Army Man. Hope it comes out on video soon in the US.

[@zeedeveel27]

Does anyone know what part of the movie he's referring to at 4:32? I just saw the movie recently, but am not quite sure what part he's talking about.

[@Ben_Mdws]

Hat tip to Jason Sudeikis in this.

[@Beatmyguest001]

I found this film so profoundly disturbing and depressing. It really stayed with me. The Sudekis character really unnerved me. Handled domestic abuse really effectively.

[@trexguy]

My choice for best picture of 2017. Loved it!! It also has one of the best last lines ever.

[@dahippo3363]

*Gloria acting gangsta till Obelisk the Destroyer comes out of nowhere*

[@josephsvennson5694]

I thought this would be a colossal f**ck up but with each frame it pulled me in deeper and deeper. I still don't know what the heck happened to me, but this movie is definitely extremely good.

[@scotsbillhicks]

I just watched it. I quite enjoyed it. Last film I saw like it was a place beyond the pines. It was not what I expected.

[@sleepyazathoth5238]

Nacho Vigalondo is a fantastic director, The Timecrimes is an incredible sci fi gem, it's remakable how he can play with the genre. I'm watching this next month, Cinemark is gonna screen it in Chile, an indie film, I guess they though Anne Hathaway wasthe reason to bring the movie here, awesome.

[@essentialatom2]

4:29 Has anyone picked up on this? Anyone know which part he's referring to? I've seen the film and liked it immensely but I can't figure out what he's talking about here.

[@josephsvennson5694]

It was when Jason Sudekis set the bar on fire and asked her to stay. I was thinking "meeeeh...its gonna be one of those romcom man-up rescue me guy films" and then they just went so far beyond that. Awesome film.

[@chanceneck8072]

Fantastic film GREAT analysis!!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ylenolsreppeptgs]

I was hoping Mark would mention Nacho's other film, Timecrimes, WHICH IS AMAZING!

[@GuyWithACamera23]

Really want to see this but none of the FOUR cinemas near me are showing it. Its a shame cos ive liked all of Vigalondo's work and LOVED Timecrimes.

[@MatthewGClarke]

Saw it this afternoon and I enjoyed it. Agree with the review.

[@annaariel7708]

I just watched it and I have to say that it is the movie that I liked the most so far this year!

[@aliciaf1055]

I would never have guessed any of that from the posters.

[@RedTickseed]

Soo... 'Rodan Getting Married?' This actually sounds pretty darn great.

[@lsjshez6940]

Empire Magazine gave it 4/5. I'll give it a go.

[@dwinter666]

quite liked this one myself. if you go in expecting a traditional giant monster flick you'll be really disappointed but it's quirky and fairly entertaining, not sure I'd describe it as a comedy though as it's fairly heavy at times but the domestic abuse stuff is handled pretty well. the monster stuff is quite well executed too.

[@greenisnotacreativecolour]

Did he say... Sandra BOLLOCK?

[@DavidHeffron78]

Saw it last night. Liked it a lot.

[@glyph2011]

This is my film of the year. It's amazing.

[@SilentLulamoon]

The third act is almost as awesome as Guardians Vol. 2's The Chain scene

[@glyph2011]

And timecrimes rocks as well.

[@wraithofsolidarity]

Some of the characters were awful... I had to Google it as I was watching it to check and see what I had just went out to see. I liked it by the end.

[@stiiffyrabbit]

This movie was real good fun. Good, but not great. Slightly drawn out, because it was slightly lacking, and saggy in the second-half. I agree with 3:30. Still, having first encountered Dan Stevens in 'Legion', I now know why he does such a good British accent!

[@mrdth1987]

I can buy the whole monster thing but I can't buy that Ann Hathaway is an alcoholic

[@taliaprice1909]

Darren Turner I hear you. I can't buy into her.

[@HarryS77]

Between 2 ferns

[@Alpine_Joe]

Yes I agree. I liked the film, it was original and funny but AH I think was miscast ... a bit ... I got used to her by the end but she wasn't a convincing drunk.

[@trexguy]

Best film of 2017

[@alanredmond1977]

Given the choice between Colossal and King Arthur. I would chose not to go to the cinema at all.

[@reubencanningfinkel5922]

Hello Mark. For me, I must say, this film is such an underwhelming dud. From the horrific sets, lighting, silly CG, actors performances, themes, motifs, editing...I just cannot bring myself to withstand almost any part of such a ‘meh’ cinematic experience. Lord, even the soundtrack was tepid. Bland. Bland. Bland.

[@danielshirazi6636]

Colossal. Sponsored by bottles of Blue Ribbon. This film was so dull & boring & made no sense by the end. What was the point? Had to sit through it just to see if it got any better. But it didn't. Not in anyway funny. Just pants.

[@muddyloop]

Hey Mark. Please continue to give away practically every plot point in your reviews

[@GrandiaKnight]

The trailer gave away more than he did.

[@muddyloop]

Don't get me wrong. I love Kermode. I just think he gives way too much in all his reviews

[@boomshankka1943]

Mark the film is poor and boring and stupid and its not deep

[@williamthompson6755]

One of my favourite films ever

[@123rockfan]

I didn't buy Sudeikis's character at all in the second half

[@jayuppercase3398]

It was absolute bollox, with plenty of rewrites

[@Mrflippyfloop]

I absolutely hated this movie.

[@pricklyphlox]

Why would I want to see a movie about an alcoholic?

[@binaryg]

Sorry Mark but this film was, in no way funny or insightful. I grew up in an alcoholic family (M and P, uncles bruhs,) every friend had at least one dysfunctional M or P or both, a city with at least 2 saloons on every block and guess who also ended up a drunk? Me. But I went to see this Monster movie in the hopes it would at least give me chuckle. I didn't realize how much I don't like AH. I hated her character. I fought bolting early on. There were no other sympathetic character. The monster destroying Seoul (OMG soul, really?) was too transparent. I finally left after what seemed an Eternity, but the exit made me feel better. Not funny, not insightful, and disgusting. Sorry once again.

[@totallybasicyoutubechannel]

I don't think you are being very objective

[@binaryg]

Of course I'm not objective about alcoholics.

[@totallybasicyoutubechannel]

So how can you fairly say it's objectively a bad movie? Though I am sorry to read about what has happened to you and your family.

[@totallybasicyoutubechannel]

'Stroll on'? Condescending much? I grew up around quite profound, long-term mental illness, but I'm not going to slate a movie that dares to touch on the subject matter, even if it happens to be a comedy.

[@muddyloop]

No seriously, give away the whole film. Please

[@UlrichUlrich]

Nope, not gonna watch it - another movie where the monster is a metaphor for something/a manifestation of something! We've had too many of those lately ever since The Babadook; Lights Out, Under The Shadow, Goodnight Mommy, The Monster, A Monster Calls, and now Colossal.

[@randychimp4298]

The monster isn't the main focus whatsoever and it's barely in the film. The primary focus for like 80-90% of the story is her relationship with her childhood friend, his behaviour towards her and others and her dealing with her own demons. Probably won't change your mind, but I do recommend it, it isn't what you think it is.

[@nullset560]

Andrew Fender I hope he doesn't find out about godzilla

[@UlrichUlrich]

I know that horror movies by defintion have always had metaphors for man's different fears or whatever - but the movies I mentioned have monsters that are very concrete metaphors for something-- I don't wanna be "scared" for two hours only to find out that the monster is a metaphor for grief like in The Babadook and A Monster Calls. Or addiction (The Monster). Or oppression (Under The Shadow). Or insanity (Lights Out). Godzilla may be metaphor for nuclear weapons, but Godzilla still smashes all those buildings, right? - it doesn't poof, vanish, at the end of the movie, because it was only a manifestation or a metaphor, right? The monsters in Under The Shadow, Lights Out, The Monster, The Babadook, A Monster Calls disappear when the metaphor or manifestation is revealed to us and/or has served its purpose. Because they were only figments. But Godzilla does all that destruction - and retreats back into the ocean - it's "real".

[@randychimp4298]

If the film were based in the city where the monster manifests and the characters are directly affected by it, I'd agree that it was cliched, but the monster appearing is just a quirky addition in a dark comedy about more realistic issues. It's not the primary focus or the antagonist or anything like that. Give it a look at some point, you might be pleasantly surprised.

[@SKW-12]

Hi, Ulrich. In case you haven't seen it yet - I just saw TRAIN TO BUSAN. I'm a horror/monster/thriller movie fan, and I highly recommend this film as a straight-up monster flick. Great pacing. Decent acting. Satisfying variety of monster encounters.

[@Burggartenjunge]

the point is, its this movie has no direction

[@Burggartenjunge]

no tributes in this movie

[@Burggartenjunge]

its not emotional

[@Burggartenjunge]

its nothing

[@Burggartenjunge]

is it funny ? no. ist it horror ? no