Godzilla

Both the best and worst godzilla movie. The best because of the sfx/vfx/cgi, horror/darkness, casting, and just every scene with monsters. The worst because around one and a half hours of this wasn't needed at all. It was filler for characters who don't last or have any meaning what so ever. I rather they take a few years building a proper Godzilla movie rather than this wasted 'Wanda, Quicksilver and Walter White with a bit of Godzilla' nonsense. They didn't even have to pay Godzilla for this because she was volunteering as a background character.

2014’s ‘Godzilla’ is a thrilling and visually pleasing film that brought Godzilla back to relevance in the states and spawned two other sequels. A more serious take on the iconic titan with a solid cast that’s leagues better than the 1998 movie.

They fixed everything that was so wrong with the first American Godzilla movie. I loved every second, the lighting could have been better in some scenes but I still think it was awesome.

One part I don’t like is where the children are on the bus on the bridge 🌉 and there’s that one specific kid “scream” ruins the moment 😒

Gareth Edwards' Godzilla roars onto the screen as a formidable reboot of Toho's iconic franchise and the inaugural film in Legendary's Monsterverse. This 2014 American monster film plunges viewers into a world where ancient alpha predators re-emerge, centering on U.S. Navy EOD Lieutenant Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) as he navigates the colossal destruction caused by Godzilla and two parasitic MUTOs. With an ensemble cast including Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Bryan Cranston, the film promises a grounded, high-suspense take on the King of the Monsters. My initial reaction was one of immense anticipation for a serious, atmospheric monster film. My overall impression is that Godzilla delivers breathtaking spectacle and a powerful sense of awe for its titular creature, effectively building suspense and portraying the human scale of a kaiju catastrophe, even if its human narrative sometimes feels secondary to the monster action.

Rating:
7.1/10 ⭐️ (★★★½ - Great)
A great rating for a monster film that excels in its atmospheric build-up, stunning creature design, and visceral action sequences, establishing a strong foundation for a new cinematic universe.

The Good:
* Narrative & Story (Strengths): The film adopts a patient and suspenseful approach, reminiscent of classic monster films like Jaws and Alien, allowing the creatures to be glimpsed rather than fully revealed early on. This builds immense anticipation and terror. The central conflict between Godzilla and the MUTOs feels ancient and primal, with humanity caught in the middle. The narrative effectively humanizes the scale of the disaster through Ford Brody's desperate journey to reunite with his family. The subtle reveal that the 1950s nuclear tests were attempts to kill Godzilla is a clever and impactful piece of retconning.
* Characters (Strengths): While the film emphasizes the monsters, the human characters serve their purpose effectively. Bryan Cranston delivers a powerful and emotionally charged performance as Joe Brody, whose relentless pursuit of the truth provides an early, compelling emotional anchor for the film. Ken Watanabe as Dr. Ishirō Serizawa brings a quiet gravitas and reverence for Godzilla, embodying the film's philosophical themes. Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Ford Brody is a grounded and determined protagonist, relatable as he navigates the chaos. Elizabeth Olsen as Elle Brody and Sally Hawkins as Dr. Vivienne Graham provide solid support.
* Directing & Filmmaking (Strengths): Gareth Edwards' direction is masterful in establishing a sense of scale and awe. He employs a restrained approach, gradually revealing the monsters, which greatly enhances their impact when they do appear. His use of "human scale" in shots effectively conveys the immensity of the Titans. The cinematography by Seamus McGarvey is breathtaking, capturing the ominous beauty of the destruction and the creatures' imposing presence with rich, atmospheric visuals. The film feels grand and epic in scope.
* Technical Aspects (Strengths): The visual effects are truly outstanding, showcasing a redesigned Godzilla that is both classic and terrifyingly real. The MUTO creatures are uniquely unsettling and formidable adversaries. The motion capture for the monsters (T.J. Storm as Godzilla) adds a believable physicality to their movements. Erik Aadahl's sound design is iconic; Godzilla's revamped roar is incredibly powerful and visceral, justly becoming a highlight. Alexandre Desplat's score is suitably epic, dark, and atmospheric, contributing significantly to the film's tense and awe-inspiring tone.
* Enjoyment & Engagement: Godzilla is a highly engaging and often thrilling film. Its slow-burn suspense, followed by truly spectacular monster action, keeps the audience on edge. The sheer awe-factor of seeing Godzilla on screen in such a grounded and powerful way is immensely satisfying. The human element, while sometimes taking a backseat, ensures a relatable entry point into the massive destruction.

The Not So Good:
* Narrative & Story (Weaknesses): While the human story is a strength in its intent, I will add that Joe Brody's character (Bryan Cranston) was killed off too early, leaving a void in human emotional connection for a significant portion of the film. The plot can occasionally feel like a series of human perspectives on monster events rather than a deeply interwoven narrative.
* Characters (Weaknesses): Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Ford Brody, while competent, can feel less dynamic or emotionally compelling compared to Cranston's Joe, leading to a slight drop in human investment after Joe's exit. Some supporting human characters are underdeveloped, primarily serving as observers of the kaiju events.
* Enjoyment & Engagement (Negatives): For viewers expecting non-stop monster action from the outset, the film's deliberate pacing and emphasis on suspense over immediate monster-on-monster fighting might initially feel slow.

The Verdict:
Godzilla (2014) is a formidable and visually spectacular reboot that successfully re-establishes the King of the Monsters with a serious, atmospheric tone. Gareth Edwards' direction is masterful in creating a palpable sense of awe and dread, delivering stunning visual effects and an impactful sound design. While some may wish for more human focus after Bryan Cranston's early exit, the film largely succeeds in its ambition to be a grounded monster thriller. It stands as a strong foundation for the Monsterverse, proving that the King of the Monsters can indeed inspire both terror and awe. Highly recommended for fans of kaiju films and suspenseful, visually driven blockbusters.

Optional Additional Categories:
* Genre & Tone: The film is primarily a monster film with strong elements of disaster film and military science fiction. Its tone is consistently grim, awe-inspiring, and suspenseful, emphasizing the immense scale of the creatures and the human helplessness against natural forces.
* Target Audience: It successfully caters to both long-time fans of the Godzilla franchise seeking a more serious adaptation and general audiences interested in large-scale monster and disaster films.
* Originality & Innovation: The film's innovation lies in its restrained, "less-is-more" approach to showing the monsters initially, building suspense akin to Jaws. It re-establishes Godzilla as an antihero force of nature. Its detailed depiction of mass destruction from a human perspective is also a notable achievement.
* Themes & Messages (Further Discussion): The film powerfully explores themes of humanity's insignificance in the face of nature's power, the consequences of nuclear intervention, and the idea of Godzilla as a force of natural balance restoring order. It subtly critiques humanity's arrogance in thinking it can control nature.
* Comparison to Other Films: It directly pays homage to the original Godzilla (1954) in its themes and tone. It also draws comparisons to Steven Spielberg's Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind for its suspenseful build-up and sense of wonder.

Wow, this was better than expected I got the 4K a while back before I had my player it had the blu ray too but I never got round to watching it until today.
Godzilla didn’t do much tho 🤣😳🙄.

The soundtrack is good and suspenseful.
Overall I’d give it like a 6.8/10 closer to a 7