After interesting opening credits, we have a story-line that doesn't make sense, riddled with numerous cliches (yes, including the whistling teapot when someone's angry), and we're wondering why Juliette Binoche even bothered to play a role here; or Watanabe, or Olsen, or Hawkins, or Strathairn for that matter. Or why the giant lizard is present for only a few minutes. This was supposed to compensate for Roland Emmerich's 1998 disaster; but the indiscriminate destruction of San Francisco (again!) reminds of another 2013 travesty. Maybe the incredible climactic spectacle would've made this worthy of a So-so. But no ... not even that.
PS: I spotted an Easter Egg in the movie: there's a glass tank in the main character's old house with the name "Mothra" scribbled on it. This franchise is far from over.
Mo says:
I was hoping this would be a brilliant movie but your negative review and a so-so review from one of my Godzilla loving friends has dissuaded me from seeing this in the cinema. I will catch it some time, maybe on TV.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this would help, but if there's only one reason to watch this Godzilla, it's to watch the imagery in a theater. At least I'm glad your Godzilla expert didn't approve either.
DeleteI watched Godzilla_ Final Wars a few nights back and dearly wished I could have seen it on the big screen.
ReplyDeleteThanks; I'll be on the lookout for it.
DeleteWhat's the deal with the 73% Tomatometer rating?
ReplyDeleteI need no more proof: the Tomatometer is no good for sci-fi or fantasy movies (and maybe that's for the better cause, since these are usually great spectacles you need to experience on your own on a big screen). One reason the critics liked this Godzilla, was because it follows a Jaws-like minimalist style of showing the monster at a minimum. Hello?!!! We've been seeing Godzilla for 60 years! We know what it looks like!
DeleteI saw it last night and totally agree with your review and comments. What the Japanese recognize is that Godzilla is the star! I far prefer everything in the Japanese movies, OK they are just guys in monster suits fighting but they look great and the action rarely lets up. I really hope they don't bother with a sequel.
ReplyDeleteYou may want to check out the director's debut feature (which grabbed Hollywood's attention), called "Monsters". The non-functioning formula that he used for "Godzilla" works very nicely there.
Deletehttp://mohsen48.blogspot.com/2014/06/monsters-2010.html
You are right, Monsters is a far superior movie. I cared about the main characters! Once Juliette Binoche and Bryan Cranston were taken out of Godzilla no one else could come close to them although with such an awful script I doubt many actors could have made a silk purse out of that sows ear!
ReplyDelete