Up From The Depths
is a YouTube channel focused on films in the Kaiju genre, specifically Godzilla. The bulk of the channel is reviews of assorted Kaiju films, including the entirety of the Godzilla and King Kong franchises (including Godzilla vs. Kong), with assorted companion videos that go in-depth on certain topics or scenes related to those films, top ten lists, and livestreams.
Up From The Depths provides examples of:
- Accentuate the Negative: Zig-Zagged. While he will point out flaws a movie has, and the film's final score will reflect those flaws, he'll also note what a film does right and why a Kaiju fan, even a casual one, might be interested in seeing it. On the other hand, he'll note some films as likely only being of interest to die-hard giant monster fans, and even they might have a hard time sitting through something like Reptilicus.
- Awesome Music: Even if the film itself is lackluster, Up From The Depths will note if the score is amazing (as it frequently is, especially in Godzilla films). A rare few films will be noted for having a score that saves an otherwise lackluster film; for instance, Godzilla (1998) is noted for its score doing the dramatic heavy lifting for its rather thin plot. On the other hand, Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is noted for having a score far, far too good for a rather uninspired and formulaic film.
- Extra-Long Episode: Most of the reviews last around five minutes, with a brief summary of the plot, discussion on the film's strong and weak points, then giving it a rating between one and five stars, with a summation of what makes this film interesting to what kind of giant monster movie fan. Other videos going in-depth on certain topics can last twenty minutes or more, and the livestreams last for hours.
- It's the Same, Now It Sucks!: Notes when particular entries of the Godzilla and especially Gamera franchises get too formulaic, derivative, and repetitive of what came before. Special mention to the King Kong franchise here: with the exception of The Son of Kong and King Kong Lives (and possibly King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes, both of which still retread plot points from the original, but add Godzilla, Mechanikong, and other elements that may keep them fresh and not "just a remake"), every Kong film is just a remake of the original, which gets boring fast, no matter how good those remakes themselves are. It wasn't until Kong: Skull Island that Kong got a new film, wholly original, yet paying respect to the life of the franchise. That said, these formulaic and derivative films are not necessarily bad: some take their well-trodden path and run it with charm and enthusiasm. Others just cover the same ground over again because it's expected of them.
- Just Here for Godzilla: The reviews will note if a film balances the human and monster stories well, and if the human characters are interesting enough to hold their end up, or if a film is just one where you fast-forward through the human plot to get to the monster fights. Rarely, he'll note some films where the monster action is particularly lackluster. Called out almost explicitly in the preface for the "10 Greatest Godzilla Characters" video, where he states that the Gozilla franchise, and kaiju genre as a whole, are not known for deep or compelling human characters, and a common sentiment is that they just get in the way of the monster action people want to see. Of course, said video is dedicated to the ten characters who most defy this trope.
- Kaiju: The channel is dedicated entirely to this genre of film.
- Kid-Appeal Character: Notes some films, particularly Godzilla vs. Megalon and the Showa-era Gamera films for being particularly kid-friendly, often by making these characters the focus of the plot, though this may not be a bad thing if the child actors are good, the story is solid, and the film doesn't fail in special effects, budget, or use of Stock Footage. He'll note entries which are good for sparking a love of giant monsters in young children.
- Upon release of Godzilla vs. Kong, his thoughts are trending in this direction. If you came expecting something deep and serious and meaningful, you'll be sorely disappointed. If you approach it as a ten-year-old catching a flick on your couch on a Saturday afternoon, you'll fall in love with it and watch it over and over again.
- Opinion Flip Flop: Happened with Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). Pre-release, UFtD made a video about why this film being made was so important to G-fans everywhere. Upon release, his initial reactions were. . . underwhelming. After a few more viewings and some reflection, his opinion grew a bit more favorable, and his full final review was quite complimentary, ending with four out of five stars. Even later, he made another video exploring some of the deeper themes that exist within the film, and may or may not elevate it in the estimation of the average viewer.
- Top Ten List: A few, including 10 Greatest Godzilla Characters, 10 Funniest Godzilla Moments, 10 Greatest Godzilla Monsters, and 10 Must Watch Godzilla Movies.
- True Art Is Boring: Basically his opinion of the anime trilogy. Those coming to the films expecting to see kaiju action handled with the epicness anime can offer will be sorely disappointed, as the films are much more intellectual and philosophical. While UFtD finds the ideas interesting, even compelling, he criticizes the characters, monsters included, for being little more than vessels for those ideas, and thus the films having no emotional center on which to hang.
And, as always, long live the King.
