Godzilla is the most famous movie monster ever created. Godzilla’s last outing in the U.S. was in 1998, which left moviegoers and longtime fans very disappointed. Does this version disappoint?
The film starts off with film reels of what seem to be a nuclear test but ends with showing a huge creature rising from the ocean before the bomb detonates. It cuts to Joe Brody in 1999 who is a nuclear plant supervisor and the plant has suffered an earthquake, which runs them a risk of a nuclear meltdown. His wife is caught up in the explosion, she is unable to escape and the nuclear plant crumbles to the ground. 15 years later Ford Brody (Joe Brody’s son) has just gotten back from the army and he must go back to Japan because his father has been arrested in Japan. He goes to Japan and sees that is father has been obsessed with the events the that happened 15 years ago. He believes that the earthquake was caused by a creature. They go over to the area where the plant collapsed. They discover that scientist Ishiro Serizawa is keeping a creature in there and has been covering its existence up ever since the plant collapsed. The egg hatches and causes havoc. He knows that the creature (or what he calls a MUTO) feeds off radiation to get stronger. There is also a female MUTO out there, and if the 2 MUTO’s meet that they will breed and unleash havoc. The military cannot stop these creatures and there is only one thing that can stop them — Godzilla.
What I like to say about the movie is that it builds up suspense. It reminds me of Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” where they talk about the shark, what terror it can cause, then they reveal the monster. That is what Director Gareth Edwards was doing, they described Godzilla as a destructive and unstoppable force. His reveal in the movie was phenomenal, people in the theater even started cheering. The new design for Godzilla looks pretty great, it was a great makeover to the King of The Monsters.
The story in the movie is actually pretty well executed, but the characters are just, meh. The main protagonist is just boring, he has no passion for his role. When Bryan Cranston is in the movie, he is actually sinking his teeth into this role, pouring his heart out; he is hands down the best character in this movie. Ken Watanabe’s character is barely used, they didn’t develop him that much. The other characters are just emotionless and it was kind of a waste. The storyline was good but characters are just boring and emotionless, except for Bryan Cranston and some scenes with Ken Watanabe.
The movie blends in a good story and great monster scenes. The last 30 minutes of the movie will make you jump from your seat and cry with joy. The acting is flawed but Bryan Cranston and Ken Watanabe try their best to keep the movie alive. Is it better than the 1954 original? I believe it is a tie, Story and acting wise, the original is way better but the newer versions action keeps you entertained. I give Godzilla 2014 an 8/10.
