UK Release Date: May 15th 2014The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.
Director: Gareth Edwards (Monsters)
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, Ken Watanabe
It's been 16 years since Godzilla graced our screens, and this new release is an improvement on the old one. Godzilla himself is bigger and better than before, reaching about 350ft. The build-up of tension seems deceivingly worthwhile when we (finally) get to see the creature.
It's nice that the trailer doesn't give too much of the story away, but it's also a little deceiving. Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston is in it less than you might think, focusing on Aaron Taylor-Johnson's military man instead. Gareth Edwards tries to focus more on character development, but ends up giving us an annoying lead with little emotion and pushing other interesting characters into the background (mainly Taylor-Johnson's father Cranston and wife Olsen). The most intriguing character of all we don't to see for at least an hour and by then feels like a supporting actor rather than a main feature.
The set-pieces in Godzilla are undeniably creative and aesthetically pleasing. Paratroopers attempt to enter the city via the sky whilst a battle between montsers rages on. The CGI is impressive (no, Godzilla isn't real!) and the artistic work put in to the creatures is unique.
By the end, I couldn't help feeling slightly short changed. Just when you think you're about to see the climatic battle and lots of death and destruction, the camera decides to fade away and we miss a good chunk of it. A lot of time is spent zooming in on character's gawping faces (mainly Ken Watanabe's Dr. Ishiro Serizawa) instead of the matter at hand. We're in this for Godzilla, and Godzilla alone.
4/5
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