Conflict has been a part of stories since they started being told. Human vs Human, Human vs Nature, Human vs God, God vs God, Giant Monkey vs Giant Fire-Breathing-Radioactive-Lizzard, Human vs Machine, (etc.). Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a new release. With the release of the titanic Godzilla vs Kong, we wanted to take a look at our other favorite “versus” movies that also have some variation of “versus” in the title. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
It’s funny how opinions can change overtime. Five years ago I didn’t like this movie and now I really like it a lot. One of the things that has grown on me over the past few years since its release are the visuals from director Zack Snyder. The man clearly knows how to take an image in his head and bring it to life on the big screen. This is also the first time we’ve ever been introduced to Ben Affleck’s Batman and he’s such perfect casting for this character. I get why there were some concerns about his casting back in the day, but he’s more than proven that he’s able to put on the cowl and become the iconic character. The score here from Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL might be my favorite of any superhero movie, something I’ve always liked ever since watching this back in 2016. Since it’s been five years since its release, I’d say that a rewatch of the Ultimate Edition will do you some good. You might even walk away feeling how I feel now. (Alex Henderson)
When I was younger I watched the movie Volcano, which was a movie which honestly terrified me, but I fought to finish it. It was Joseph vs. Volcano, and I came out on top! However, unlike Joe Banks and his boss Frank, I had yet to meet Frank, and all of this has absolutely nothing to do with Joe Versus the Volcano, so I have wasted everyone’s time with what I have written so far. Where was I… Oh yes, Joe Versus the Volcano, starting Tom Hanks as Joe Banks (which I just now notice is one heck of a coincidence that the names seem similar), a man who is in a boring job, told by the most questionable of doctors that he only has months to live, is hired by a raving lunatic of a billionaire to jump into a volcano in a South Pacific island so as to allow the billionaire to have access to a rare mineral, all while finding love on the way. Despite the absurdities, this movie is a very fun film to watch. You get over the top acting from Lloyd Bridges and Meg Ryan (in two of her three roles) that blends well with some more serious scenes (one of the best movie scenes of a man quitting his job combined with great comedic timing) while telling a story about stepping away from monotony and actually living life to the fullest. You also get to see Hanks still in the beginnings of his career in comedic roles, as his more dramatic side first begins to show. While I wouldn’t call this film amazing, with several of the special effects feeling more than a bit outdated and the depiction of the natives on the island he travels to feeling disingenuous to the vibrant Polynesian cultures in the South Pacific, this movie is still overall a very fun watch, and is worth diving into if you have time to burn. (Joseph Davis)
The year is 2009. My father decides a new TV is needed in our household. The magic of 3D entertainment is sweeping the nation and he decides to get this brand new 3D television, complete with glasses and everything. And to sweeten the deal, it comes with a copy of the hit animated comedy Monsters vs. Aliens. It was the only 3D compatible movie we ever got. Gimmicks aside though, Monsters vs. Aliens is actually an okay movie! It didn’t transcend to a higher plane and it doesn’t necessarily carry a weighty message, but the cast is stacked with some wonderfully funny voice talent that really carries the film. Hugh Laurie in particular has some delightful moments in a perfectly cast role. So often these movies that assemble the super-team of comedic voices will completely waste their talent, but here they are all given a chance to shine and I found myself laughing quite a bit upon rewatch as an adult. Monsters vs. Aliens seems to have been largely forgotten about, but I truly do feel there is a solid animated science fiction film there that deserves another chance in the sun. (Nashua Doll)
When balancing tone and dabbling in multiple genres all at the same time, it can prove to be a daunting endeavor. Director Ryuhei Kitamura (Midnight Meat Train, Azumi, Alive, Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes – directed cutscenes) does this masterfully in his 2002 film, Versus. In the Forest of Resurrection, two eternal rivals are destined once again to battle for the ultimate power that resides in the blood of a mysterious woman. This film is by no means standard in any type of fashion, it almost feels like a living breathing Anime or Manga. Shining through in this film so brightly is the outstanding and creative fight choreography. A newcomer at the time, Tak Sagaguchi provides a great performance as the lead protagonist, Prisoner KSC2-303. His fight sequences throughout the film are jaw dropping and overall thrilling. To speak more on the variety of genres that are captured in this film, this movie is essentially an action/martial arts/horror/comedy/drama that is able to switch between these different genres effortlessly. Versus is a film that is highly rewatchable due to its uniqueness, fight choreography, and horror elements that ooze with style. (Joe Vargas)
For the fans of the Titans, there were a couple possible options. I don’t hold the disdain for the Teen Titans Go! as some fans of the OG Teen Titans series do and enjoyed the crossover flick, but I’m giving the nod to their tangle with the Justice League. The teen team finds themselves facing off against their more seasoned counterparts after Trigon possesses them in a bid for world domination. Seeing the two teams battle it out with their powers is a fun experience. This film features a different voice cast (and a different Robin than the TV show), with Rosario Dawson as Wonder Woman being the biggest name. For those that have fond memories of the Cartoon Network series, this is a solid entry in the DC animated filmography that is worth checking out. (Jake Bourgeois)
There’s been a few Batman vs. entries in the DC animated universe and I’m not going to pretend I’ve seen all of them (sorry Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans), but this 2015 entry is an intriguing character study. The story follows the Damian Wayne version of Robin who struggles to adapt his uprising as an assassin with Batman’s rules of combat. The struggle of wills between the two headstrong characters is the most fascinating aspect of the film. The cast features a bevy of familiar voice actors, with Stuart Allan now a staple as Robin, Troy Baker, and Kevin Conroy (though he lends his voice to the elder Wayne instead of Batman here). Though it deals with some dark subject matters at points, the entry also boasts some pretty fun fight scenes. At a swift 79 minutes, there’s more than enough here to keep fans of the Caped Crusader entertained. (Jake Bourgeois)
Appalachian Frank here to talk about Tucker and Dale Vs Evil, y’all. This is one fine hum dinger of a movie you best not be missing out on. Oh man, this flick takes me back a ways. Starring the ever charming and sexy leading man Tyler Labine, who has this half keg belly on him that’s enough to make me think things that would send my soul to hell for eternal damnation. And it has Alan Tudyk. These two are minding their own business when these evil non-true-believers rear their ugly heads and all hell breaks loose in this horror comedy. If you love a movie that bends genres more that my son/cousin’s scoliosis, this is the one to see! (Frank Kemp)
This is Edgar Wright at full throttle. An absolute beast of a film, it takes all we know and love from Wright’s previous pictures and turns it up to 11 in this absolute ride of color, special effects, meta-humor, and insane character progression. In it, Michael Cera’s Scott Pilgrim falls in love with Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Ramona Flowers and all is well… there’s just one problem. In order for them to be together, Scott must defeat Ramona’s seven evil exes in a battle to the death. Sounds silly, right? This would never work — except it does! Using a video game setting as a base, the story follows our heroes as they get embroiled in a truly unbelievable turn of events. However it’s all first class — from the fight choreography, to the script, to the editing, to the casting, there’s not one element of this story that isn’t finely tuned to its ultimate form. Absolutely fun and strikingly brilliant, this is one of the most fun movies you can watch, and if you haven’t yet you’re missing out! (Alice Micheli)
Surprise, surprise, I once again dig into the list of shame to- oh, you already knew that… well, okay then. Anyway, this Best Picture winner starring Best Actor winner Dustin Hoffman as Ted Kramer (relation to Cosmo unknown), Best Supporting Actress winner Meryl Streep as his estranged wife Joanna Kramer, and Justin Henry as their son Billy Kramer has to be one of the most enrapturing of the movies I have watched for the Best Ever Challenge. Dustin Hoffman does a phenomenal job in his role as he grows to be a better father to his son as the movie progresses, and Justin Henry shows why he was nominated for an Oscar at such a young age. While I personally have never had to deal with the subject matter portrayed in this film, the way it depicts divorce and the effect it can have on relationships between ex-spouses and their children, including when custody is involved, feels deep and well-thought-out in this movie. Not only is the story going to pull you in, but the cinematography is next level, with several scenes just beautifully shot. While I do have to knock this film for how underutilized Meryl Streep is, for making Ted feel more sympathetic at times than he really deserves (several moments between Hoffman and Streep make me understand why the character Joanna left), and for reminding me of the existence of Tab (which was discontinued nearly a decade ago in 2020), Kramer vs. Kramer is very much a film worth taking the time to absorb. (Joseph Davis)
What happens when you combine classic cars, Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and one of the great rivalries in racing? You get a modern classic that bleeds the same spirit of traditional, old school cinema. This film of course is James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari. Mangold crafts exhilarating racing sequences that are engrossing and exciting while diving into the story of two misfits in the world of racing. This meaty drama may tip the scales at over two-and-a-half hours long but it has a brisk pace and Mangold captures the sensations of what awards films used to be. The cast is top notch as we get rewarding turns from Damon and Bale, who both capture a deeper effect of these historical figures. Mangold has made a career out of making classy and old school cinema and his latest is certainly not one to miss. (Shane Conto)
Also See: The People vs. Larry Flint, Alien vs. Predator, The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, Eagle vs Shark, and Freddy vs Jason, and for those kind of nights, Megashark vs Giant Octopus