Log in / Sign up
 
    Share this page

    Godzilla

    Reviewed by
    adamwatchesmovies@

    WARNING: This review is hidden because it reveals the content of the film.
    Click here to show this review.
    2014′s “Godzilla” is getting a limited theatrical re-release to promote “Kong: Skull Island”. If you missed it the first time, check it out now. It manages to have its own, unique take on a character that’s already appeared in a whopping 29 films (and even more since) It’s the first chapter in a shared cinematic franchise, and a step in the right direction.

    For years, the organization Monarch has been studying a mysterious creature that demolished a nuclear power plant in Janjira, Japan. The creature’s escape revives an ancient ecosystem of giant, radiation-fuelled monsters. While the world scrambles to make sense of it all, explosive ordnance disposal technician Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) attempts to return to his family in San Francisco.

    While this film featuring towering behemoths tossing each other into skyscrapers and reducing entire cities to smoldering rubble, it’s more about the story on the ground level. Godzilla and the other creatures that appear could be plane crashes, earthquakes, tsunamis, bridge collapses, or nuclear meltdowns. For the bulk of the picture, they’re catastrophes that mankind has to timidly attempt to recover from. The story puts you in the shoes of ordinary people as they catch glimpses of this clash of the titans through news footage, obscured by dust clouds, and between their fingers as they cower in fear. You care about what is happening because the film handles this Kaiju story like a news team would – it focuses on families caught in the crossfire. Not only Ford and his wife (Elizabeth Olsen), son (Carson Bolde), mother Juliette Binoche) and father (Bryan Cranston) but other families, caught in passing here and there throughout. Additional character development would’ve been appreciated, but you do care about what happens during the non-monster parts.

    In making Ford a father who is torn between the civilian world and his military duty, we have an anchor of humanity that is well integrated with the special effects extravaganza of monster action. Could there have been more shots of Godzilla fighting and rampaging? Yes, but the ones you see have weight and impact because the camera doesn’t linger long enough for you to get accustomed to the level of destruction. That’s until the climax when we get to see Godzilla in his full glory, without interruption. The wanton destruction looks great thanks to top-notch special effects.

    2014’s “Godzilla” is a solid foundation from which a new franchise can emerge. There’s enough human drama to make you care when the monsters aren’t on-screen and when they are, the monsters smashing everything in sight is a delight. In further installments, I’d like to see a bit more character development and more mayhem, but this is a promising start and on the big screen, pretty spectacular. (Theatrical version on the big screen, February 19, 2017)

    8
    HelpfulNot helpful  Reply
    adamwatchesmovies@  21.2.2017 age: 26-35 2,867 reviews

    Show all reviews for this movie
    Note: The movie review posted on this page reflects a personal opinion of one user. We are not responsible for its content.

    Did you see ''Godzilla''?

    There is a problem with your e-mail address and we are unable to communicate with you. Please go to My Account to update your email.

    How do you rate this movie?

    Select stars from 1 to 10.
    10 - A masterpiece, go, see it now
    9 - Excellent movie, a must see
    8 - Great movie, don't miss it
    7 - Good movie, worth seeing
    6 - Not bad, could be much better
    5 - So so, okay if you don't pay
    4 - Not good, even if you don't pay
    3 - Poor movie, not recommended
    2 - Very bad, forget about it
    1 - Worst ever, avoid at all costs

    Please explain. Write your comment here:

    Please choose a username to sign your comments. Only letters, digits, dash - or period. Minimum 4 characters.

    Your age and sex:

    We publish all comments, except abusive, at our discretion.