Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (TV Series) The Way Out (2023) User Reviews

WHO CARES!!!!

[robertdlar · 5/10 · 9 December 2023]

So the writers of this show have taken a hard left turn and have decided that the Randa families love affairs are more important than the Titans or even Monarch. This episode focuses on Cate reliving the 2014 attacks but goes off on tangents that have nothing to do with Monarch or the Titans and have no impact on the over all story, while completely ignoring what has happened to Monarch and Lee Shaw, who gets two minutes in the show. I have no idea what the writers were thinking but they just waisted everyones time for 5 minutes of actualy plot advancement. NO ONE CARES about things that have nothing to do with the plot.

Not the best episode so far

[shornak-1 · 5/10 · 10 December 2023]

So kind of disappointed with this episode. The three young people are traveling in a quarantine area of San Francisco that are being patrolled because of looters. So they should be quiet they should be stealthy trying to get to a certain building. However at some point they break out into song and they start singing. Doesn't seem very logical to me when they're running from the authorities and hiding. The solution when they find the map and shine points of light on it seems a little far-fetched to me if that would have worked but okay I'll believe that. The first couple episodes of this series I thought were really good so I hope the last five get better.

Unraveling the Human Aftermath of Kaiju Catastrophe

[SonGoku540 · 6/10 · 8 December 2023]

Plus Points:

1. **Engaging Character Dynamics:** The episode delves deeper into the dynamics among Cate, Kentaro, May, and Shaw, placing them in a precarious situation that tests their loyalties and resolves. The characters' internal conflicts add depth to the narrative.

2. **Compelling Flashbacks:** Flashbacks to the days leading up to Godzilla's destructive rampage provide a poignant backdrop, offering a chilling glimpse into the personal lives of the characters, particularly Cate's struggles with relationships and guilt.

3. **Realistic World-Building:** The aftermath of Godzilla's attack on San Francisco is portrayed realistically, with attention to the consequences on infrastructure, personal lives, and the psychological toll on the survivors.

**Minus Points:**

1. **Pacing Shift:** While the episode is strong in character development, it marks a departure from the monster-centric focus of previous episodes. Some viewers expecting more kaiju action might find the shift in pacing less satisfying.

2. **Contrived Visuals:** The use of Kentaro's artist expertise to reveal a map through poking holes in a sheet of paper may come across as contrived, disrupting the otherwise tight narrative flow.

**Technical Aspects:**

1. **Cinematography:** The episode effectively utilizes cinematography to create an eerie atmosphere, capturing the tension and emotion of the characters amidst the ruins of San Francisco and the Transamerica Pyramid.

2. **Flashback Sequences:** The seamless integration of flashback sequences enhances the storytelling, providing context to the characters' present-day struggles and connecting the audience emotionally to their experiences.

3. **Character-driven Narrative:** Despite the lack of prominent monster appearances, the episode successfully maintains viewer interest through its character-driven narrative, exploring the human impact of kaiju devastation.

**Verdict:**

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Episode 5, takes a bold narrative shift, focusing on character development and the aftermath of Godzilla's catastrophic attack. The engaging dynamics among the protagonists, coupled with compelling flashbacks, offer a more intimate look at the personal toll of living in a world ravaged by kaiju. While the episode might disappoint those seeking intense monster action, its realistic portrayal of the human aftermath adds depth to the overall storyline. The departure from the usual monster-centric plot is a gamble that pays off, showcasing the series' ability to balance character depth with the larger kaiju narrative. Episode 5 stands as a testament to the far-reaching impact of Godzilla's legacy, making it a pivotal and emotionally resonant installment in the Monarch series.

Not the best episode

[Chocoalatv · 7/10 · 10 December 2023]

I'm getting annoyed by the young Japanese characters and the boyish looking Monarch lady.

This episode had a few interesting scenes but when they were going through the wreckage of San Francisco it was just not realistic. Why they would flash lights all over and talk and sing loudly when they need to be as quiet as possible is beyond me.

Also I wonder why the boy can speak fluent English while he is supposed to have grown up in Japan? And why can the girl speak Japanese fluently when her mother doesn't even speak to her in Japanese? And I'm sorry but the Japanese guy can't act. I wish they had picked someone on the basis of acting ability and not on the language ability.

I was really happy to finally see Tamlyn Tomita though. :)

I'm Really Trying....

[IMGuuDFAM · 4/10 · 8 December 2023]

Is this 'Godzilla' or "Dude, Where's my Dad?" The first couple episodes started off fine, now theyre taking character development too far. Where are the monsters?

This is turning into Cates love life and the search for dad instead of leading us to what the show is supposed to be about: Legacy of Monsters.

From the three characters searching in lit areas with flashlights, allegedly trying to stay out of sight (with flashlights in dimly lit areas) to highly trained Military not able to discern human sounds from cats, its all turning the show incompetent.

Please get back on track. We are heading into Episode 6 with only three signs of Titans. You're losing me.

Atleast somewhat better than previous one

[vansharya-35337 · 7/10 · 8 December 2023]

Fifth episode of Monsterverse's most awaited series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is premereired and here's my thoughts on this episode i.e. "The Way Out":-

Positives :-

1. CGI and visuals are great.

2. Cinematography are very good.

3. Production budget looks very high, and you could feel it in cinematography, color grading, visuals.

4. Better than it's previous episode in terms of engaging.

Negatives:-

1. Writing of this episode is just OK and this episode feels like something is missing.

2. Direction and storytelling of this episode is just Ok.

3. Dialogue seems very cringe and most of the time doesn't work.

Final Thoughts and Review :-

Overall, "The Way Out" is a good episode continuing the story of previous episode. I'm glad that it's somewhat better than previous one but still lacks in writing.

How to Kill a Show by Apple

[waddelltony · 3/10 · 9 December 2023]

The first three episodes were fire. The last two omit Wyatt Russell and the flashbacks to his character, Landa and Dr. Keiko Mura. Those are 3 compelling characters. Kentaro, Cate and the blandly yet annoying and with nothing to offer Mae or whatever her actual name is are insufferable and whiny. I was hooked by the first 3 episodes and hopeful for a great series. With the exception of Scenes with Lee Shaw by Kurt Russell and Duval, who is a revelation, the cast is weak and the story tired and forces. I fast forwarded most of the episode. What a shame the writers shift focus and follow a non-compelling story line or at least do so poorly. I'm out.

Lazy writing and boring

[probabilitysurfing · 1/10 · 9 December 2023]

Hey kids! At dark, let's sneak into a highly secure area cordoned off by the US military where patrols shoot looters on sight. We'll use bright flashlights and sing and harmonize Japanese jingles and laugh out loud along the way! (Never mind that this singing is completely out of character). Then, we'll be shocked when our presence is discovered! We'll waste a lot of screen time running in the dark, but when we get to our objective, we'll quickly figure out where our long lost father is by punching holes in a piece of paper! The sun will shine through the holes and tell us where daddy is! Just like the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark! Kurt's scenes are good, but don't really move the plot forward. Skip this one if you can.

One of the better directed episodes.

[alexandernaskov · 10/10 · 8 December 2023]

All of these episodes are well directed. I'm 5 episodes in and this is the 2nd best behind 4. It's interesting how the slower more character focused eps have the most directorial focus and artistic vision behind them.

I see a lot of complaints about the characters being a*holes to each other but I don't see it. If anything Kentaro bonded with his half sister more in this ep than previous ones and everyone seems more mellowed out. Which is a plus imo.

Also Shaw's scene with Monarch is incredible. Kurt Russell delivers some banger ass dialogue. Tim is my favorite Monarch operative so far. He seems the most relatable of them and I love see him try and fit in.

Getting boring

[lui-z · 1/10 · 9 December 2023]

In the fifth episode of Monarch, the pacing takes a significant downturn, resulting in a notably sluggish and uneventful narrative. The installment grapples with a lack of momentum, leaving viewers wanting for the spark that characterized earlier episodes. Unfortunately, the storyline seems to stagnate, failing to deliver the anticipated excitement and intrigue. While the series had been building momentum, this particular episode feels like a plateau, losing the gripping essence that had initially captivated audiences. Overall, Episode 5 of Monarch disappoints with its slow pacing, leaving much to be desired in terms of engaging storytelling and progression.

Series lacks balance

[rmvfjnm · 4/10 · 8 December 2023]

Look I love a slow burn. I love characters that are well-written, complex, flawed and reveal them selves slowly.

But this has to be done in harmony with the Universe you are trying to show and the pacing has to be right - a good balance between action/tension and more thoughtful, human moments.

Andor does this very well. BSG, The Expanse, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon too

But this show does not. Its characters are not nearly as interesting as they think they are and they are certainly not as interesting as the monsters that we see so little of. This is a mid, slightly dull human drama.

More stuff and nonsense

[thales-63045 · 2/10 · 8 December 2023]

This is written for 20 somethings. It's stupid, full of cliches (we have a girl out her teens with attitude, we have a boy just out his teens who can't think for himself and we have another girl just out her teens who is the smart one. Where have we see this? Oh yeh almost every teen series made since the 1980's. Too many coincidences to make it watcheable. One good thing is you can fast forward half an episode and still know what's going on. The writers were in strike weren't they? Who wrote this? Again the US Army (or whatever defence force it is) are made to look incompetent. The actual monsters and space rifts are more believable than the characters. The episode is around 15 minutes long of substance and around 38 of mind numbing boredom thst brings nothing to the story. How long can you spin out three teenager quality kids looking for a building in a supposedly secure zone? Around 45 minutes it seems. Whoever does the trailers on this series really knows their stuff selling us something that is just dross. Pure utter drivel. I'm rooting for the monsters.

My intelligence is offended.

[holmes_c · 1/10 · 9 December 2023]

My GOODNESS. These characters have been getting more and more insufferable every episode, ESPECIALLY May, and this episode broke the camels back. At times I have to do a double take on how BAD some of the lines are. It's like they're in a Spanish telenovela and being overly dramatic on purpose and it is painful and downright embarrassing. More than embarrassing, I'm straight up offended they think they can get away with such piss poor acting and writing as if we are ok with it!? It's offensive to my intelligence and I really hope I'm not alone in feeling that... because it seems every day we get closer and closer to the movie Idiocracy and it's scary... Stop hiring such horrible horrible and cheap actors! We are NOT ok with it and they SUCK.

Monarch: Legacy of Teen Drama

[Irukandji77 · 4/10 · 8 December 2023]

This show started off so promising, but the last couple of episodes have completely lost me. Zero monster action, poor acting & poor writing.

I'm not entirely sure who thought making a TV series based around Godzilla and then never showing him, or barely even acknowledging his existence outside of random mentions of "G-Day".

Nobody wants to watch a teen drama about the children of some character we've never even met, nor care about. The only good actor in the show is Kurt Russell and he's completely hamstrung by the writing and essentially everybody around him on the show.

This'll be where i drop Monarch: Legacy of Monsters.

Who cares

[jsavtqbm · 1/10 · 9 December 2023]

Snoozefest of an episode. We have the kids walking and walking and walking and walking and walking and walking. Bunch of flashbacks of nothing anyone who saw the plot thesis of A show about Godzilla will care about. Who cares about the stupid annoying kids and their boring ass storyline. We want Godzilla opening up a can of whoop ass. We want Kurt Russell being a total bad ass. The past 2 episodes have been brutal with a whole bunch of wheel spinning. Why make it 10 episodes? If you can't afford the FX budget for monster carnage over 10 episodes then dont make it 10 episodes! Hopefully the next 5 are a vast improvement.

Slow soap! Not a Godzilla program!

[vijaylohitsa · 3/10 · 10 December 2023]

Very slow. We are not here to watch a soap about lesbian school teacher trauma and such. Too much beating around the bush. Where is the core theme? There has to be some thrill and adventure. Things we have not seen yet in Godzilla movies!

We are spending too much time on character development which is not so important. This step brother sister nonsense is pointless. We want to know where the Titans come from how they land up on earth how the Skull Island is not accessible. Where is Kong?

How Randa figured out the places where the monsters pop up next. We know so little and we have burnt 6 episodes or probably 10 in season 1.

An episode that only focuses on the people that cant act

[jackt-97440 · 1/10 · 10 December 2023]

The shows redeaming qualities is monsters, a few good actors and giving story on monarch. This episode has non of those things and focuses on the shows 3 young adult actors non of which can act.

I will stick with it in the hope we got this in exchange for much more monarch next episode but this episode should have never happened. We lost a whole episode to them walking round in the snow to collect pencil sharpenings to a whole episode of hem aimlessly wondering around san fran. To collect the next breadcrum. Feels like a video game except the developers didn't know how to make good gameplay...

Very bad writing and directing

[farzamkhan99 · 1/10 · 9 December 2023]

The recent episode of Monarch left viewers grappling with a disheartening sense of disappointment, as the promising narrative that had been carefully built up throughout the season came crashing down due to subpar writing and directing. The anticipation that had been steadily building was met with a cascade of poorly executed plot twists, inconsistent character development, and lackluster directing that ultimately undermined the potential of the entire series.

One of the glaring issues in this episode was the abrupt and seemingly arbitrary introduction of new plot elements that not only failed to enhance the storyline but also contradicted established lore. It felt as though the writers were grasping at straws, attempting to introduce shock value without considering the long-term consequences for the show's coherence. Viewers were left perplexed as key plot points were hastily introduced and just as quickly abandoned, leaving a trail of unresolved questions that left the audience feeling unsatisfied and confused.

Character development, a cornerstone of any successful TV show, suffered a severe setback in this episode. Characters who had undergone nuanced growth throughout the season were reduced to mere caricatures of themselves, their motivations and actions inconsistent with the established personalities. The sudden and unexplained shifts in character behavior left viewers questioning the authenticity of the storytelling, as if the writers had forgotten the very essence of the characters they had meticulously crafted in earlier episodes.

The dialogue, once a strong suit of the series, took a nosedive in this particular installment. What was once sharp and meaningful conversation devolved into clichéd lines and uninspired exchanges. The dialogue felt forced, lacking the depth and subtlety that had previously drawn viewers into the world of Monarch. It became apparent that the writers were struggling to maintain the integrity of the characters through their words, resulting in exchanges that felt hollow and disconnected from the overall narrative.

Equally disheartening was the lackluster directing that failed to elevate the material beyond its flawed script. Scenes that held the potential for emotional impact were marred by awkward pacing and uninspired camera work. Moments that should have been filled with tension or suspense were undermined by predictable framing and lack of visual creativity. It was evident that the director failed to harness the full potential of the script, leaving viewers longing for the visual and emotional resonance that had become a trademark of Monarch.

Even the normally stellar performances of the cast couldn't salvage the episode from its narrative pitfalls. Talented actors found themselves grappling with poorly written dialogue and awkward character arcs, resulting in performances that felt stilted and out of sync with the established tone of the series. It was a disheartening realization that even the most seasoned actors couldn't rise above the constraints imposed by lackluster writing and directing.

In conclusion, the recent episode of Monarch stands as a stark reminder of the delicate balance required in maintaining narrative coherence, character development, and visual storytelling. The missteps in writing and directing not only detracted from the overall enjoyment of the series but also cast a shadow over the season's potential. As loyal viewers, we can only hope that the creative team takes this feedback to heart, acknowledging the missteps and working towards a more cohesive and engaging future for Monarch.

Mind-numbingly bad

[nathansmith-29691 · 1/10 · 14 December 2023]

I cannot stress how little anyone cares about these three characters, these teenagers written with half a brain cell. Kurt Russell shines anytime he is on screen and the narrative should really be focusing on his story to uncover Monarch's secrets because right now the series has become "Dude Where's my Dad?" The Monster-verse has been been often criticised for it's lack of character development but this aint it. The three main characters are badly acted, the storyline is focusing more on love affairs and inclusion than monsters. And Kurt Russell is barely in it. Godzilla: King of the Monsters had about a dozen monsters in it eith plenty of screentime, decent character development and took them 2 hours to do it. Legacy has been on for 5 hours now...3 monsters, 5 minutes screen time.

Point blank - nobody cares about the missing Dad storyline, it is dragging with a whole lot of nothin'

Slowing momentum, uninspiring characters

[tristanmilesheap · 5/10 · 9 December 2023]

I'm a huge sci-fi mystery fan so I've been eagerly watching, but 5 episodes in with no increase in quality or development of narrative - even I'm losing my patience.

The past storyline involving the Randa's and young Shaw were definitely the most interesting, it's a shame that this has been absent for a couple of episodes.

The modern story is slow and uninteresting. The characters are boring, the performances are inspiring and there seems to be no chemistry between any of the actors.

There's hints of potential, like exploring how Kentaro and May met and the expectations on him as an artist, or Kate dealing with the trauma of losing her schoolkids, but nothing lives up to potential.

Similarly, where are the monsters? Or at least some conspiracy on Monarch or progress in finding the dad?

The series is losing us

[derekpaulgilbert · 2/10 · 12 December 2023]

This episode felt like the whole series was treading water. The entire episode could be cut without losing anything.

The series needs more Lee Shaw and a lot less of those annoying, self-absorbed kids. THEY AREN'T LIKABLE. WE DON'T CARE ABOUT THEIR BACK STORIES. The mystery of Monarch should be the focus of the plot, not these spoiled kids.

And we're supposed to believe that nobody inside this highly-funded secret organization with the power to tell the US military what to do thought to send a team to Hiroshi Randa's office to find a clue as to his disappearance?! We could deal with the annoying young characters if the rest of the plot made sense. This episode doesn't.

this is where I gave up

[nerrdrage · 5/10 · 3 January 2024]

Too bad, because this show started off pretty promisingly. Giant monsters are running amok on the planet! Kurt and Wyatt Russell cast as the same character at different ages (and the best part of every scene they're in).

The 50s flashbacks were good but now they've petered out and we're left with the weakest part of the show: three self-involved, grating, very poorly acted and written 20-something characters who are so boring and annoying that I spent the whole time praying for Godzilla's foot to come down and stomp on all three at once. If that happened, I'd give the episode 15 points out of 10.

What genius thought it would be a good idea to put not one, not two but three Jar-Jar Binks type characters in the same show? The monsters are cool but I can't stand this anymore. I'll check out Silo next. Hope Apple didn't botch that too.

Almost Unbearable! Who casted this garbage?

[rickdeez · 1/10 · 23 December 2023]

Like most of the other reviews state - the first 3 episodes show promise. They have a few minutes of monster action to keep you coming back. They also have actors - from the 1940's scenes - that can actually act and create a little chemistry. Cate, and her resting B face - Kentaro, a complete doofus - and May, ugh. These three are intolerable. Every scene they are in is cringe. Maybe it's the "daddy, daddy"writing and directing. Whoever cast these 3 should be kicked out of the business forever. Kurt Russell even sucks. Oh yea, where the F are the monsters? Garbage! This show requires willpower and patience to get to the 2-3 minutes of monster action, out of the 130 minutes of the Kentaro, May, and Cate cringe-fest. Can Godzilla please step on Cate and Kentaro...PLEASE! I'm sorry but they are sooo awful. The last 2 episodes better have serious Godzilla action or this will be the worst letdown of all time.

What a wasted episode

[LightningB · 2/10 · 8 January 2024]

For some reason they decided to spend an entire episode on the 3 most annoying characters. Anyone not Cate, May or Kentaro would be far more interesting but the show runners keep pushing these 3. Kurt Russell should be main character along with, and this will sound crazy, the Monarch organization.

But the emphasis on these 3 is confusing. They are not compelling at all. Don't give a crap about any backstory for them and they bring nothing to the story. None of them are interesting individually so collectively they are cringeworthy more often then not.

The flaw in any Godzilla\King Kong monster movies is usually the people. So in a series, they unfortunately have too much time now and spend way too long on unnecessary, forced "character development" that adds nothing.

Too many shows think spending time on a character automatically equates to adding depth to the show. Too many times it is instead a detraction and it is even more so here.

This story would hook people more if Russell's character was pushing this show. But he doesn't and these shallow characters are boring.

Get the focus right.

Self distractive writer

[xbrqrtzyz · 1/10 · 30 December 2023]

Terrible episode, the show was doing ok in general although a little weak it was watchable and fun. I went back over and checked each episode and this is the only one she wore to this point. This episode and the writer of this episode just killed the show. Why treat us like idiots. Garbage sandwich!.

I would love to see character development that does not need the.weak trappings of this social construct that seems to be more important than solid writing and character development.

It's no wonder so many shows don't make it to a second season dispite the huge budgets, this is another example of producers that seem to hate success and profit. I.