Godzilla (2014) - - - Part 12

[DarthSkywalker]

I don't even really count the cutaway when the shelter doors close, because that fight is pretty much ongoing for the rest of the movie.

I think it just felt tiresome after they had done it so many times already. Though I must say I love the first cutaway. The little boy watching "dinosaurs" on television was both adorable and funny.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yeah, I'm still definitely excited to see this tonight. Some of the other complaints I've been reading won't bother me all that much, especially looking back and comparing this to the TOHO films.

See I was hoping for a great film, not a good Godzilla movie, so I was a bit disappointed. The movie really ends up doing the bare minimum.

 

[Wolfwood]

I really liked this movie, but yeah...

Spoiler

I agree with many others who felt that the human element was too dry and bland. I wouldn't have minded the constant Godzilla teasing if there was something more interesting going on with the humans, but they were all kind of generic. Which was a shame because they had some real terrific actors.

Otherwise, I enjoyed myself. I'm really curious to see how this film holds up a second viewing though. Might be harder to get through a second time around.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yeah, considering the talent that had, it is kind of mind blowing how blah the human storyline was.

 

[Lighthouse]

I think more of the problem is so many people are so used to being spoon-fed everything they want that when a film tries to be different or actually build tension they get annoyed because they're not getting non-stop action, or as much as THEY think they deserve for a big budget blockbuster.

The thing is this film NEVER promoted itself as an all out battle movie, the trailers had action shots but it never even showcased Godzilla fighting the Mutos, so people saying the marketing was misleading, only slightly so.

The problem is no one would be complaining about the build up if the characters we cut to were interesting or compelling. "I can't wait to see Godzilla" is anticipation. "I don't want to go back to these boring characters and their inane storyline" is another.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

The problem is no one would be complaining about the build up if the characters we cut to were interesting or compelling. "I can't wait to see Godzilla" is anticipation. "I don't want to go back to these boring characters and their inane storyline" is another.

Yeah. Not that they aren't likeable. The actors are all very likeable. So I almost felt bad for being so bored with them.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Yeah, considering the talent that had, it is kind of mind blowing how blah the human storyline was.

I almost never like the human storyline in disaster flicks.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I almost never like the human storyline in disaster flicks.

Maybe that is why I don't like them for the most part.

 

[CK_ALL_DAY]

I saw the movie last night in IMAX 3D and absolutely loved it. I'll probably be going to see it again Monday or Tuesday. I'll start off by saying that I only watched the first two trailers and the Asia trailer before hand because I didn't want to see too much and tried to keep an open mind. Basically, after '98 I wanted to give the movie a free slate to do things right. And boy did it ever. For me, the movie was a 9/10 with only a few minor complaints (like any film) and one major complaint.

The good

Spoiler

- Brian Cranston sets the movie up beautifully. You can really feel his emotion, pain, and frustration.
- I liked the set up of the MUTO's. The EMP burst/bubble was so cool. It really left mankind helpless, not that it mattered, but it just really made humans completely ineffective. I thought they drove the plot well as the antagonists and were a treat to watch as they destroyed everything in their path. I actually bought the mating plot line because it kind of made sense. I at least felt it was a good enough reason for them to surface.
- The suspense was incredible. Like many others have said, it had a big Spielberg feel in the sense of Jaws and Jurassic Park. Especially the bridge scenes. I might be in the minority, but I actually liked how the first two "fights" weren't actually shown because it was all leading up to the third act. That's why it worked for me. I did NOT want to see mindless action and fights the whole movie. I thought the cutaway from the first fight was hilarious when seeing it on the news stations. For whatever reason, it cracked me up and the everyone else in the theater.
- Godzilla was AWESOME. He was a complete bad ass. From his whole look, to his facial expressions, and that ROAR. That roar was epic. I felt his screen time amount was fair, mainly because when he was on, I was holding my breath waiting to see what he would do. A minute or two more would have been nice but anything longer would have risked overkill in my opinion. This is Transformers and I didn't want it to be in any way.
- The final battle was as much fun as I've had watching a movie since Man of Steel's two fight scenes. I had heard it was good but man, I was in awe.
- Atomic breath was phenomenal. I got chills as soon as we saw his tail glow blue behind the female MUTO, through the smoke, and travel up his back/spines. I felt like a kid, grinning ear to ear. And the final atomic breath down the female MUTO's throat was so damn awesome and unexpected. I literally said out loud "holy ****."
-The tail whip, which I haven't seen mentioned, I wasn't sure we were going to get, was f'ing sick, f'ing sick. It got a huge cheer from the audience I was with.

Minor complaints

Spoiler

- I would have liked to see Godzilla actually waking up but I still liked the way he came into the movie.
- I didn't like that the main character, Ford, was present for just about every single MUTO's sighting. The first time made sense but the Hawaii encounter was forced as was the train bridge encounter. It was one of the only unbelievable parts of the movie. But I understand it was necessary to navigate the plot through him.
- The acting was hit and miss. I liked Aaron Johnson Taylor for the most part but he could have used a lot more emotion in his performance. There was just something missing. It was very noticeable especially after Cranston's performance. Some of his lines were delivered awkwardly which is probably on the director but I give Gareth some slack with this being his first big budget project. Elizabeth Olsen did a fine job but there just wasn't anything interesting for her to do. Ken Watanabe had some sweet lines but he really didn't do a thing the whole movie.

- I didn't understand how the building falling on Godzilla weakened him so much, or at least that's how I interpreted the first time. My only thought now after thinking about it all day is that using his atomic breath is what actually did it. Especially after he uses it the last time to kill the female MUTO and then collapses before waking up the next day.

Major complaint

Spoiler

- I know how some people have complained about the lack of Godzilla but my biggest complaint for the film was the lack of Bryan Cranston because he was the only interesting human character. The rest of the human characters were pretty generic. The film would have benefited greatly had the whole plot revolved around Bryan Cranston's character all throughout the movie. I was just really hoping to see him standing face to face with Godzilla. Not get killed the way he did.

 

[Lighthouse]

Another thing I have to address is the "Well, all Godzilla movies are like that" argument really isn't much of a defense. This isn't a movie going towards that specific audience, it's trying to be a real, honest to God summer blockbuster. Yeah, if you compare it to previous films where the human characters are atrocious, then this Godzilla movie towers about them all. If you want to appeal to not only the GA but geeks who aren't into Godzilla, you can't hold the movie to the lower standards of the previous films.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Maybe that is why I don't like them for the most part.

You've got my number buddy, I'm not a fan of them either.

 

[Enriquespy]

Was it better than the 98 Godzilla movie???

Spoiler

well Duhhhhhhhhhh!!!!




Of course!!!

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Another thing I have to address is the "Well, all Godzilla movies are like that" argument really isn't much of a defense. This isn't a movie going towards that specific audience, it's trying to be a real, honest to God summer blockbuster. Yeah, if you compare it to previous films where the human characters are atrocious, then this Godzilla movie towers about them all. If you want to appeal to not only the GA but geeks who aren't into Godzilla, you can't hold the movie to the lower standards of the previous films.

Yeah, I really dislike that argument. Well the old ones were this way, so this can be cliched and "bad" as well. Would have been the easiest argument in the world for Batman Begins or Casino Royale to fall back on the crap both series had been producing for years at the point they came along.

You've got my number buddy, I'm not a fan of them either.

So which of us is Butch and which of us is Sundance? t:

 

[Visualiza]

The problem is no one would be complaining about the build up if the characters we cut to were interesting or compelling. "I can't wait to see Godzilla" is anticipation. "I don't want to go back to these boring characters and their inane storyline" is another.

Yeah. Not that they aren't likeable. The actors are all very likeable. So I almost felt bad for being so bored with them.

What I can't understand is why some of the people who like the movie feel the need to rationalize and misrepresent the perspective of those who found it underwhelming.

Some people didn't fancy the movie is all. We all have our reasons, but it's kinda worthless to try and discredit people with such shallow reasoning; we all went to the theater and spent our own money and time on this movie expecting to enjoy it the same as anyone else.

So far it's been -

"You just wanted an action fest"
"You couldn't get your head away from the trailers"
"You don't understand Godzilla; movie X, Y, and Z from the monster's history was like this too"

At the end of the day, all of the above are meaningless, because the movie just didn't sufficiently entertain some of us for reasons that have nothing to do with any of these. Sure, the movie may have played out at least somewhat differently than it was marketed, but I'm sure we've all seen movies that threw us for a loop and ended up being superlative all the same. Shaun of the Dead comes to mind as a movie that played out very differently from the trailers, and it was exceptionally well done. The last thing that was on my mind after watching that movie was "Gee I sure wish this was more like the wacky slapstick I saw in the trailers!" I think that one of the reasons some people are reflecting upon the trailers is precisely because the movie wasn't good enough to make them forget about them.

It's getting a little old that anyone who doesn't like a particular movie has an ulterior motive or an ax to grind, while the people who enjoyed it are normal, functioning human beings.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

What I can't understand is why some of the people who like the movie feel the need to rationalize and misrepresent the perspective of those who found it underwhelming.

Some people didn't fancy the movie is all. We all have our reasons, but it's kinda worthless to try and discredit people with such shallow reasoning; we all went to the theater and spent our own money and time on this movie expecting to enjoy it the same as anyone else.

So far it's been -

"You just wanted an action fest"
"You couldn't get your head away from the trailers"
"You don't understand Godzilla; movie X, Y, and Z from the monster's history was like this too"

At the end of the day, all of the above are meaningless, because the movie just didn't sufficiently entertain some of us for reasons that have nothing to do with any of these. Sure, the movie may have played out at least somewhat differently than it was marketed, but I'm sure we've all seen movies that threw us for a loop and ended up being superlative all the same. Shaun of the Dead comes to mind as a movie that played out very differently from the trailers, and it was exceptionally well done. The last thing that was on my mind after watching that movie was "Gee I sure wish this was more like the wacky slapstick I saw in the trailers!" I think that one of the reasons some people are reflecting upon the trailers is precisely because the movie wasn't good enough to make them forget about them.

It's getting a little old that anyone who doesn't like a particular movie has an ulterior motive or an ax to grind, while the people who enjoyed it are normal, functioning human beings.

This is simply classic fanboy defensiveness. It happens with all films of this variety. Nothing unexpected.

For what it is worth, I did like it enough to recommend seeing it, especially on the big screen. Godzilla is a sight to behold, and the final confrontation is worth the price of a matinee ticket imo. Even if it is hard to see.

But all those that were bad mouthing Pacific Rim need to eat some humble pie imo. While it had plenty of problems itself, many of which overlap with Godzilla, Pacific Rim is twice the film, with the far superior action.

 

[ares834]

Pacific Rim isn't even fit to carry Godzilla's (massive) jock strap.

Joking aside, the two movies are incredibly different. Frankly, I found Godzilla to be the vastly superior film.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Pacific Rim isn't even fit to Godzilla (massive) jock strap.

Joking aside, the two movies are incredibly different. Frankly, I found Godzilla to be the vastly superior film.

Godzilla tries to be "intelligent" or go "beyond" its genre and falls flat on its face in that regard. It tries to be Nolan, but wasn't successful in that regard. Godzilla works best when it embraces its roots, like Pacific Rim does from start, even if you could possibly choke on the cheese in both. But really, what happened to sharp, viewable action? Why cloak everything in darkness?

 

[Lighthouse]

What I can't understand is why some of the people who like the movie feel the need to rationalize and misrepresent the perspective of those who found it underwhelming.

Some people didn't fancy the movie is all. We all have our reasons, but it's kinda worthless to try and discredit people with such shallow reasoning; we all went to the theater and spent our own money and time on this movie expecting to enjoy it the same as anyone else.

So far it's been -

"You just wanted an action fest"
"You couldn't get your head away from the trailers"
"You don't understand Godzilla; movie X, Y, and Z from the monster's history was like this too"

At the end of the day, all of the above are meaningless, because the movie just didn't sufficiently entertain some of us for reasons that have nothing to do with any of these. Sure, the movie may have played out at least somewhat differently than it was marketed, but I'm sure we've all seen movies that threw us for a loop and ended up being superlative all the same. Shaun of the Dead comes to mind as a movie that played out very differently from the trailers, and it was exceptionally well done. The last thing that was on my mind after watching that movie was "Gee I sure wish this was more like the wacky slapstick I saw in the trailers!" I think that one of the reasons some people are reflecting upon the trailers is precisely because the movie wasn't good enough to make them forget about them.

It's getting a little old that anyone who doesn't like a particular movie has an ulterior motive or an ax to grind, while the people who enjoyed it are normal, functioning human beings.

Thing of it is, I enjoy the film, but do not feel the need to rationalize it's problems. Those are problems and they hurt the film, but I still think it's worth seeing and sets up incredible opportunities for a better sequel.

 

[ultimatereserve]

I think the terrarium in there old house said Mothra.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

So which of us is Butch and which of us is Sundance? t:

Hmm...I'll be Sundance.

 

[ares834]

Godzilla tries to be "intelligent" or go "beyond" its genre and falls flat on its face in that regard. It tries to be Nolan, but wasn't successful in that regard. Godzilla works best when it embraces its roots, like Pacific Rim does from start, even if you could possibly choke on the cheese in both. But really, what happened to sharp, viewable action? Why cloak everything in darkness?

Umm, what? I never got any vibes that Godzilla tired to be "intelligent" or go "beyond its genre".

Also, next time you see a movie I'd recommend taking off your sunglasses because it was very easy to see what was going on. The final fight was hardly obscured by darkness at all.

 

[ares834]

I think the terrarium in there old house said Mothra.

It did. Nice little nod there.

 

[Enriquespy]

Nod or foreshadowing?.???


Tun tun tuuuuuuuuuuun!

 

[Visualiza]

This is simply classic fanboy defensiveness. It happens with all films of this variety. Nothing unexpected.

For what it is worth, I did like it enough to recommend seeing it, especially on the big screen. Godzilla is a sight to behold, and the final confrontation is worth the price of a matinee ticket imo. Even if it is hard to see.

But all those that were bad mouthing Pacific Rim need to eat some humble pie imo. While it had plenty of problems itself, many of which overlap with Godzilla, Pacific Rim is twice the film, with the far superior action.

Godzilla tries to be "intelligent" or go "beyond" its genre and falls flat on its face in that regard. It tries to be Nolan, but wasn't successful in that regard. Godzilla works best when it embraces its roots, like Pacific Rim does from start, even if you could possibly choke on the cheese in both. But really, what happened to sharp, viewable action? Why cloak everything in darkness?

On the mark again. This is an issue I've noticed with a lot of recent movies in the last several years. They eschew all forms of substance, be it character, thematic, and/or plot depth, for a dark, dreary, and serious tone. There have been many big budget movies made recently that when you peel back that onion of seriousness, are very flimsy films underneath it all. It's the modern day 'style over substance', and it continues to allow otherwise mediocre movies a free pass with audiences. Some semblance of substance has to be there to give the tone some weight, otherwise it feels unearned, like a gimmick (which is exactly what it has become over the last few years).

 

[ares834]

On the mark again.

Except he is completely off the mark here. He says Godzilla works best when it embraces its roots and talks about how it should have embraced the cheese. But the original Godzilla ("the roots") was not cheesy. It was a serious and dark movie, far more serious and dark then this incarnation.