Godzilla 2014

By Lori Garrett | published June 6, 2014 |
Thursday Review contributor

Most people I talked to about the new Godzilla movie expressed dissatisfaction with the reboot. “There wasn’t enough ‘monster’ in it.” “It took forever to even see Godzilla.” “Too much story.”

I’m here to state that those Negative Nancy’s are not wrong. It absolutely seemed like forever before my beloved lesser-of-two-evils monster hit the screen. Most of the monster screen time up to that point had been given to the foot of the enemy. Seriously. I really don’t have a lot of complaining to do about this entry into the Godzilla franchise, except for that foot. I understand it probably cost a lot of money to make that super-awesome foot, but there was a gross over-use of it. Maybe it’s just me.

But, one of the main complaints of others was a point that I really enjoyed. Though billed as a ‘Monster Movie’, this had much more story to it. The first twenty minutes was filled with so much love and loss that I misted up a little. That may be due to the exceptional performance of Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle), one of the true talents of our generation-at least in my humble opinion. Also sharing screen time are Ken Watanabe (Batman Begins, The Last Samurai), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass, Savages) and Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene, Kill Your Darlings), both of whom are becoming quite the commodities. *Fun Fact* Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen play husband and wife here in Godzilla, but will be playing twins Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch in the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron, out next summer. Evan Peters, who played Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past also appeared in Kick-Ass with Taylor-Johnson.

Though there wasn’t a lot of ‘monster’ screen time in Godzilla, there was still plenty of action. I didn’t get to see it in 3-D, but just from the visuals and the way it was shot, I could tell that I probably should have. Also, I do have to note that the directors and writers did seem to want to pay homage to the Godzilla’s of the past (there have been over 25 Godzilla movies made), especially those in the 60’s and 70’s who portrayed the giant creature as more of a clumsy protagonist trying to save the city, while accidentally smashing it in the process. Godzilla: The Monster with a Heart of Gold.

All in all, I would say this is definitely worth a watch, especially if you’re taking kids to the theater. Big on action and story, low on gore, it’s sure to please most people. Except for those going in expecting to see a giant monster throw down against another giant monster for two-thirds of the movie. Those people will be disappointed.


Related Thursday Review articles:

X-Men: Days of Future Past; movie review by Lori Garrett; Thursday Review; May 29, 2014.