Godzilla (2014) - - Part 11

[terry78]

I love how they have Cranston smiling.

 

[redhawk23]

Hmm the critics reviews seem to be better than the ones by fans here who have actually seen it? Is this a case of great movie but only ok Godzilla movie?

It is by absolutely no means a great movie. The writing is pretty poor in terms of story and character and the performances are okay but nothing special. The fact that it finally, finally delivers on some well done Godzilla at the end is the only thing that saves it.

 

[redhawk23]

That's unfortunate.

Not really. Desplat's score is really good and serves the film really well. Besides the effects the score is likely the most well done aspect.

 

[MahvelBaby!]

Hmm the critics reviews seem to be better than the ones by fans here who have actually seen it? Is this a case of great movie but only ok Godzilla movie?

I've heard plenty big G fans say it is an incredible Godzilla films including Toho Kingdom.

 

[redhawk23]

Its a better monster movie than it is a movie in general if that makes sense, but its really only a mostly okay monster movie at that. If you can't commit to a meaningful allegory or well told and acted drama then you better be prepared to bring the heightened reality and fun aspects that these films can offer. Instead the movie just kind of stumbles on all levels.

The MUTO's are great though, that I can assure you.

 

[Marvin]

If you took something like Pacific Rim and literally had scenes where the monsters fight each other...I'd personally be bored. Especially in relation to what that films actual premise had; the dynamic human fighting monster interfaced with a robot. For that reason I kinda don't understand the appeal here. Slapping popular names on the monsters doesn't change that.

I'm actually more intrigued by the promise of all the suspense and build up, and exposition, and a human story amidst all of that. Sadly it seems that might not deliver as well as one would hope.

Still pretty excited.

 

[ares834]

The best SINGLE moment of the film for me. Yes, it's blue.

Spoiler

YES, HIS FINS LIGHT UP. As for how it looks like: it looks enough like a beam to be in the same vein as the Heisei films, but it has a Napalm-like look to it. Think Smaug's fire breath in The Hobbit, but blue.

Sounds awesome!

 

[redhawk23]

You don't understand the appeal of the vast majority of the franchise?

In the best multi-monster films, Godzilla is a mostly indifferent destructive force that stands as the better alternative to an outright malevolent one.


There really isn't much build up in regards to Godzilla though. The movie ignores his existence for most of it. Most of it doesn't serve suspense. Its not a matter of just seeing glimpses or just hearing about Godzilla or something but rather him begin a complete non-entity for most of the film and then not really doing much even when he is around. While it brings it around in about the last minute, most of the fighting isn't even that interesting as Godzilla just kind of falls over a lot in the background while the movie cuts to Olson standing around, having no lines and then cutting to another human character, not really doing much.

The human story is really formless, really just a matter of "This part of the movie is going to take place in this city so we need to have an excuse to have a character be there at the same time."

The movie is worth seeing and being an excited about, but just a fair warning to not lot let the human story and suspense be your reason for excitement because the film more or less squanders both.

 

[Marvin]

You don't understand the appeal of the vast majority of the franchise?

In the best multi-monster films, Godzilla is a mostly indifferent destructive force that stands as the better alternative to an outright malevolent one.


There really isn't much build up in regards to Godzilla though. The movie ignores his existence for most of it. Most of it doesn't serve suspense. Its not a matter of just seeing glimpses or just hearing about Godzilla or something but rather him begin a complete non-entity for most of the film and then not really doing much even when he is around. While it brings it around in about the last minute, most of the fighting isn't even that interesting as Godzilla just kind of falls over a lot in the background while the movie cuts to Olson standing around, having no lines and then cutting to another human character, not really doing much.

The human story is really formless, really just a matter of "This part of the movie is going to take place in this city so we need to have an excuse to have a character be there at the same time."

The movie is worth seeing and being an excited about, but just a fair warning to not lot let the human story and suspense be your reason for excitement because the film more or less squanders both.

My excitement stems from other things, particularly the director. As for your opinion on what is squandered, as seen with a few recent big films, people tend to have vastly different views on things so I suppose that's a wait and see. I'll heed your warning though.

As for not getting the appeal. Correct. Vast majority of the franchise or not. If this was "Leather Face" vs "Shark head" the movie, I'd feel the same way. Hard to explain. But because it's "Leather Face" vs "Godzilla" I'm somehow supposed to feel different. I suppose this kinda boils down to my only experience with this property/mythology is that 98 film. I don't buy in to the relevance of it all. Maybe this film will be a good ticket into that.
When it comes to action, I'd imagine it doesn't get more mindless than this?

 

[terry78]

I'm just hoping it's not another Ang Lee Hulk situation. I know people are like anything is better than the 98 Zilla, but you don't want it have all this acclaim and then nobody sees the damn thing.

 

[redhawk23]

My excitement stems from other things, particularly the director. As for your opinion on what is squandered, as seen with a few recent big films, people tend to have vastly different views on things so I suppose that's a wait and see. I'll heed your warning though.

As for not getting the appeal. Correct. Vast majority of the franchise or not. If this was "Leather Face" vs "Shark head" the movie, I'd feel the same way. Hard to explain. But because it's "Leather Face" vs "Godzilla" I'm somehow supposed to feel different. I suppose this kinda boils down to my only experience with this property/mythology is that 98 film. I don't buy in to the relevance of it all. Maybe this film will be a good ticket into that.
When it comes to action, I'd imagine it doesn't get more mindless than this?

Yeah, I was just trying to get across that it wasn't just a matter that I was disappointed with a slow build-up, as I was fairly excited for exactly that kind of thing.


As for the monster fights, I guess what it comes down to whether or not you can consider the monsters as characters in their own right, many of the films certainly do.

 

[MahvelBaby!]

Its a better monster movie than it is a movie in general if that makes sense, but its really only a mostly okay monster movie at that. If you can't commit to a meaningful allegory or well told and acted drama then you better be prepared to bring the heightened reality and fun aspects that these films can offer. Instead the movie just kind of stumbles on all levels.

The MUTO's are great though, that I can assure you.

It is your opinion, I haven't seen it yet so I can't comment, but the film is being received too well even if it does have some flaws to say things like "stumbles on all levels" Maybe it didn't meet your expectations and is definitely flawed but I can't take that type of comment seriously(Yet), as your opinion I can respect it, but you are stating it pretty factually there.

 

[ares834]

It is your opinion, I haven't seen it yet so I can't comment, but the film is being received too well even if it does have some flaws to say things like "stumbles on all levels" Maybe it didn't meet your expectations and is definitely flawed but I can't take that type of comment seriously(Yet), as your opinion I can respect it, but you are stating it pretty factually there.

Despite common belief, one need not say "IMO" every-time they give an opinion.

 

[Figs]

Tickets pre-ordered for this Friday on Imax. Sadly it's 3D and the film looks to already be dark so hopefully I'll be able to make everything out on the screen.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

There's always going to be a handful of fans here and there that are disappointed with the outcome but so far the general consensus still has me as excited as before, I'm glad people have certain expectations as do I, but I won't allow others thoughts on flaws bother me.

I found tons of flaws in ASM2 even though I really enjoyed it, was it perfect? Very far from it, was it an enjoyable visual treat, yes so overall something good still came out of that theater experience for me. I just hope to enjoy the film overall, I never once assumed Godzilla would be an oscar worthy film, I just want to enjoy it.

 

[Schlosser85]

Is his landfall in Hawaii Godzilla's first appearance at all? I don't mean full body shot, I mean period.

 

[TheSmoothKnight]

4/5

http://film.list.co.uk/article/60828-godzilla/

 

[MahvelBaby!]

Is his landfall in Hawaii Godzilla's first appearance at all? I don't mean full body shot, I mean period.

From what I've read it seems you get bits and pieces of him throughout a la jaws until he finally comes ashore

 

[redhawk23]

It is your opinion, I haven't seen it yet so I can't comment, but the film is being received too well even if it does have some flaws to say things like "stumbles on all levels" Maybe it didn't meet your expectations and is definitely flawed but I can't take that type of comment seriously(Yet), as your opinion I can respect it, but you are stating it pretty factually there.

I didn't say it fails in everyway, just that it mutually doesn't excel in any real direction, whether your looking for drama or action or goofballery. It kind of starts going in a certain direction and then cuts it short every time, be it the monster scenes or the emotional scenes.

I found the film to be pretty good in several ways, and pretty bad in a few others, but really not great in any regard. Some of the best elements are just kind of squandered by really odd editing choices, that are made repeatedly. Slowburn is one thing, something could have been really great but the film really doesn't actually go for the sense of dread that could have sustained such a thing. And instead of slow build up, you have grand introductions that don't lead to anything.

It definitely has great moments that individually are memorable but I really can't see myself wanting to sit through the rest of the film to see them again.

Notice in my review a page ago, I gave it 3/5 not a 1 or something.

 

[redhawk23]

There's always going to be a handful of fans here and there that are disappointed with the outcome but so far the general consensus still has me as excited as before, I'm glad people have certain expectations as do I, but I won't allow others thoughts on flaws bother me.

I found tons of flaws in ASM2 even though I really enjoyed it, was it perfect? Very far from it, was it an enjoyable visual treat, yes so overall something good still came out of that theater experience for me. I just hope to enjoy the film overall, I never once assumed Godzilla would be an oscar worthy film, I just want to enjoy it.

Visual spectacles are a dime a dozen, or at least available weekly for $10.50 (+$3.00 3d surcharge). And I too "just wanted to enjoy" the film, but the elements that might lend itself to that type of watching are so oddly undercut. Godzilla never needed to be an "Oscar" type film but the movie spends a while thinking that it is.

 

[redhawk23]

Side note: Unless you're seeking out IMAX for the sheer size, I wouldn't bother with the 3d.

 

[Killgrave]

Redhawk, how do you think it will perform BO wise? Was the crowd into it?

 

[redhawk23]

The last 10 minutes or so had the crowd straight up cheering, because don't me wrong, the things the film does well it does really well. The last few minutes are fortunately among them. As for the box office, I have no gauge, particularly from a press/fan screening. People cheered during the sword scene of Pacific Rim last year as well.

The difference between the film and marketing might elicit some less than stellar word of mouth though, particularly in regards to Cranston.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

I'm not a big G-movie fan, but I do love the big guy for his iconic status and who doesn't love a monster destroying a city? I remember seeing the Mathew Broderick movie in theaters and it being a really big deal. Ushers were handing out buttons at the auditorium doors and it was packed. I sat near the screen and my mom was worried I would get scared; I fell asleep towards the end. I'll be seeing this one at the same theater I saw the previous movie and all I'm asking for from this one is a good time at the theater. The King of the Monsters deserves to be seen on the big screen, if only for him. I await the moment of his atomic breath.

 

[Killgrave]

The last 10 minutes or so had the crowd straight up cheering, because don't me wrong, the things the film does well it does really well. The last few minutes are fortunately among them. As for the box office, I have no gauge, particularly from a press/fan screening. People cheered during the sword scene of Pacific Rim last year as well.

The difference between the film and marketing might elicit some less than stellar word of mouth though, particularly in regards to Cranston.

Cool, thanks.