This $160-million dollar science fiction monster movie was released on May 16, 2014: almost
sixty years after the titular beast made his first appearance in Japanese cinema.
The fifth American installment of the iconic franchise, and the thirty-third picture overall
scored a very strong $93-million dollar opening weekend.
Thankfully though, it's also substantially better than the lackluster 1998 version with
Mathew Broderick.
Having grown up with the films as a kid, director Gareth Edwards takes special care to portray
the 355' tall monster as authentically and faithfully to its source material as possible.
Stylized as redacted government documents, the opening credits show flashbacks of atomic
testing in the 1950's, which we learn later was actually humanity's attempt to subdue
the giant creature.
The 123-minute film then presents the familiar tale of mankind verses the monsters they foolish
awakened with their scientific curiosity.
One of those scientists is the incredibly talented Bryan Cranston, who drives the film's
emotional prologue with a brilliant performance.
It's a familiar setup for these types of stories, but the three-time Emmy winner makes it work.
Sadly however, we don't see much of him after that, and the PG-13 rated picture definitely
suffers as a result.
In his first substantial starring role, Aaron Taylor-Johnson isn't particularly convincing
as a bomb-disposal expert in the US Navy, nor is he charismatic as the traveling husband
of the extremely underused Elizabeth Olsen, who plays his gorgeous wife.
To be fair though, Taylor-Johnson isn't really given much to do either...
his character only serves as an eyepiece for the audience to view the devastation around
him.
In fact, this metaphor is solidified when we literally watch Godzilla destroy San Francisco
through Aaron's foggy goggles during a high-altitude skydiving jump.
Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, and David Strathairn have pivotal roles as well, but are only utilized
to deliver lots of exposition, including this poignant warning from Watanabe, "The arrogance
of men is thinking nature is in their control and not the other way around."
With such mammoth possibilities, this picture had the opportunity to put Roland Emmerich's
destruction-laden movies to shame, but very dark and spatially confusing sequences make
it difficult to tell what's happening - and the nighttime lightning obscures all of the
coolest action.
In particular, a scene involving a precarious train crossing on a towering mountain bridge
had the potential to be terrifying and suspenseful... but since the geographic relationship between
the humans and monster was unclear, their wasn't much tension.
Given the absurd circumstances of this universe, the execution of giant monsters rising from
the sea to battle each other is handled with a fair amount of realism- even if pulling
a 9mm pistol on a building-sized dinosaur is the most laughable decision I've seen a
character ever do.
The exquisitely handled visual effects make it all look remarkable realistic as well,
with the ferocious title character taking center stage.
Meanwhile, Alexandre Desplat contributes a looming and ominous score throughout the high-stakes
action.
Special mention goes to the cinematography: which despite being dark and cloudy when you'd
simply prefer to see what is happening - is incredibly beautiful and artistic... especially
the aforementioned HALO jump, backlight by the glowing amber of a ruined city.
The loud sound-effects that brings the creatures to life is also rather impressive...
their long and sustained roars are unnerving and frightening.
Contrary to Godzilla's underwater home though, this movie unfortunately lacks any depth - but
if you want to see the King Of The Monsters absolutely wreak havoc, you could certainly
do worst than this enjoyable and rewatchable experience.
"Godzilla", "Characters forgotten amid monster mayhem."
Now let's check out some of your opinions on this movie.
Lots of votes and reviews for this... but your scores averaged to an EIGHT, whereas
I'll give it a NINE.
Most criticized the empty story, but loved the effects and battles, you thought it was
GREAT.
As far as monster movies go, this one is a real treat: and a proper return to form for
the decades old franchise, but as far as compelling cinema goes, this picture lacks quite a bit.
I thought it was COOL.