Review: Godzilla

The King of Monsters is back and bigger than ever. This isn't an exaggeration either. He is HUGE.

Director: Gareth Edwards

Writer(s): Dave Callaham, Max Borenstein

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Juliette Binoche, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Wantanabe, Vivienne Graham

Released: May 16, 2014

Plot: The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

4/5 Tonies

"Let them fight."

Over the years we have seen several Godzilla films. Some bad. Some good. It has been nearly over a decade since we've seen the big guy on the screen. Finally, after a long wait, director Gareth Edwards has summoned our favorite monster. Handing us one of the best Godzilla films to date. That statement may be a hyperbole, but I stand by it wholeheartedly.

The plot begins when Dr. Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) and his partner, Dr. Graham (Sally Hawkins), chopper into a mine in the Philippines, where they discover a pod containing a MUTO (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism) and evidence of another MUTO that has escaped. In Tokyo, engineer Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) and his scientist wife, Sandra (Juliette Binoche), work in a nuclear plant mere miles off from where the creature had departed. Cue destruction. After what is said to be a nuclear meltdown the city is evacuated. Unfortunately, Sandra had not made it out alive. Joe then dedicates his life trying desperately to prove that the official explanation for the disaster is a smoke screen and not just some natural anomaly. 

Fifteen years later Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Joe’s son who is an explosives expert working for the Navy, now with a family of his own in San Francisco is forced to head to Japan to retrieve Dad after a run-in with local authorities. By happen-chance his visit just happens to coincide with the earth starting its familiar rumbling again. Turns out Joe's theories aren't so crazy after all, particularly to Dr. Ichikawa (Ken Watanabe). Cue monsters and more destruction.

Godzilla was not a perfect film, but it was amazing. The overall feel and tone of the film was the epitome of all things Godzilla. It carried with it the feeling of it's predecessors while at the same time bringing the modern view of American Cinema –  and it worked. This film was nothing more than a summer blockbuster, but what do you expect from a film that is about giant monsters? This isn't something you're supposed to go in with an “Oscar winning mindset.” Instead you enter with complete knowledge that you are about to see monsters, fearful and irrational human behavior, and things being completely obliterated. Once you realize that, the more you will have fun with this film. 

Edwards truly brings out the best he could into this film. From the get-go we are filled with pure excitement and anxiety. We are thrown into the film with knowledge of all these creatures. Making it that much more intense. This feeling is carried throughout the film. It weighs heavily on the shoulders of the audience. There was never a moment without suspense. Granted much of the suspense was predictable. Yet somehow still held the same effect. By this I mean there is almost no comedic humor or moment of relief. Throughout the film's entirety you are forced to hold your breath and hope that everything will be okay (Remember this is Hollywood. All will be well in the end). 

Like many of its past films, Godzilla tries to attach us into the story of the humans that are experiencing these events first hand. For the most part it works. This time we are given a story that engages the audience. Allowing us to feel like we're apart of the ride. Every sequel to the original 1954 Gojira has failed to make you care about it's human characters, but have also refused to make those characters any more integrated to the plot. This time around isn't all that different, but there is actual character development and plot. Our characters no longer serve as props who do nothing more than stand in awe as they watch their homes be destroyed. They are now given a purpose. A reason for their actions, but isn't executed to it's full potential. The plot is there and is in fact engaging, but fell short. It just was not strong enough to carry throughout the films time span. With that said, without the plot we would not have seen the glory of this film.

There were a few problems that Godzilla faced. One of the more apparent ones being the lack of conflict. Aside, form the giant monsters, destruction of  cities, and hundreds of people dying. There really was no conflict and if there was it was weak. Our main protagonist, Brody, is constantly thrown into the face of danger. Scene after scene he finds himself in a situation that would be deemed impossible to face. Yet he overcomes these obstacles like there was never an obstacle at all. Every time something bad was going to happen to him, something would come to his aid. I'm not saying I wanted him to die, but all this shouldn't have been so easy. He is being thrown around like a rag doll and gets right back up as if nothing has happened at all. I don't know if he was strengthened by the power of and family or if it was nothing more than great American Cinema. Where our hero can withstand any and obstacles. I'll go with the first one. 

The monsters in this film were treated like paranormal entities or better yet jaws. We don't see much of them, but we do know that they're around. In fact they all have their own theme to articulate when they are near. It was very Jaw(esque). Still this worked. It created suspense. At times an unnecessary suspense that never paid off, but suspense nonetheless. I will admit the amount of Godzilla we were given was a bit disappointing, but in a way payed homage to it's origins. What we were able to see was probably the most epic scenes of monster movie history. Godzilla is back and he's bigger than ever. 

Godzilla, was not a perfect film, but it did bring back our favorite anti-hero in the best way possible. It took all we know and love about Godzilla and threw him into a brand new environment. Much of the plot lied heavily in the story of our human characters. Was it good? Yes, but it definitely was not great. The performance was average at best. BUT when you put the two together, Godzilla and the humans, you have yourself a masterpiece of a film. Just think about all the past monster movie films. Did you watch them for amazing performances? No. You watched for the joy of watching monsters fight and things being destroyed. If you went into Godzilla with the mindset of wanting pure enjoyment then you will in no way be disappointed. If that isn't the case you may dislike this film. At any rate, Godzilla, gave what it was offering to it's fullest potential. If you are a fan of Godzilla or monster films in general, you will in no way be disappointed. Sit back and bask in all the beauty that is destruction.

4/5 Tonies

Written by Anthony Centeno