By Melissa Antoinette Garza
I’ve been excited about this film since I heard about it. I tried to maintain a realistic expectation because I really didn’t want to be disappointed. Still, I couldn’t recall a movie that stirred this much anticipation since Jurassic Park (1993). I remember when I saw that for the first time. It was a family outing my older sister Rena drove my brother, cousins and I. We stood in line for what seemed like forever. I think Rena was smart enough to buy tickets in advance. It was such a strange feeling. It was almost as though one was waiting to see their favorite band in a rock concert. Everyone was wearing Jurassic Park t-shirts and parents were gushing like children as they entered the theater.
My husband Stephen, mother Wanda and I went to see Godzilla, Sunday night. We were the first in the theater and at first I really believed it was going to be just us and a few other stragglers. We chose the cinemas closest to our hometown because there was a festival and we figured that would most likely keep the moviegoers away. We were wrong. Slowly but surely more and more people entered. I cringed when I saw a baby no more than 2 weeks old being carried by their mother. That said, either the infant was given a hefty does of Nyquil prior to the movie or I was so captivated that I didn’t hear the usual cries the small ones typically make in the theaters.
Stephen grew up on Godzilla movies. Much like my cousin Neil, he knows the movies front to back. I was a bit worried that his adoration for the originals would make him less than thrilled with this one. I watched the Godzilla movies when I was a kid. Usually, when I would go to Neil’s house, he would have them on. I thought they were okay back then, but I actually enjoy them much more now. I think I’m one of the few who like the original Minilla. I thought the “O” rings he blew out were cute. Steve and my brother Geno detest him.
As the film started and the beginning credits role, the movie provides a quick synopsis of the origins of Godzilla. It doesn’t bombard the viewers with technical details nor do we need them. I’m sure there are plenty of moviegoers who wagged their fingers at the scientific holes in the premise, but I didn’t come to see the movie for a rational explanation as to why monsters are fighting. I just came to see the battle.
The film opens fifteen years ago in Tokyo Japan, where American Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) works as a plant supervisor at a nuclear facility. After reports of seismic activity are found, Joe’s wife Sandra (Julieette Binoche) who also works there enters the area with a few other colleagues to investigate. They never emerge as an explosion of radiation forces Joe to close the exit in order to save millions who would have died of radiation poison
The government quarantines the area and doesn’t allow Joe to go and retrieve his belongings. For the next fifteen years obsesses over what caused the explosion and seismic activity
Meanwhile, Joe and Sandra’s son Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has grown up and has a family of his own. He returns home from serving in the armed forces only to find that his father was arrested in Japan for trying to enter the quarantined zone.
He flies to Japan and bails his Joe out of jail. After much persuasion, Joe convinces Ford to return to their childhood home. The location was supposed to be filled with radiation but once they arrive, they see dogs running. Joe takes off his mask and quickly learns that he was right and the government did lie.
Soon at the power plant, a monster awakens which the government calls MUTO (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism). Once MUTO comes to life all hell breaks loose. Godzilla intent in creating balance within nature is intent on fighting MUTO, only MUTO isn’t alone. He has a pregnant girlfriend who is ready to kick some large lizard ass too.
One thing that was fantastic about this movie is that there was no human villain. There were definitely people making bad decisions and conflict arose out of the decisions made, but each individual involved had a moral reason behind their actions and motives. At one point when a disagreement about an approach arises, everyone is open to sincerely hear different ideas. The efforts of all are to save humanity.
Another graceful and respectful aspect of the movie is that it doesn’t ignore the original concept development’s relationship to the bombing of Hiroshima nor does it look down upon the original 1954 classic which it mentions.
From beginning to end, it’s an action packed thrill-ride. I enjoyed Cranston in Malcolm in the Middle but I never watched Breaking Bad as it seemed as though it would be way too depressing. I had really only seen Cranston in comedic roles, which I thought he perfected. It was amazing to see him in such a serious role. There was no winking at the camera or self-awareness about being in a movie within his performance. It was genuine and I look forward to seeing him in future dramatic performances.
I was also pleased with the performance of Ken Watanabe as Ishiro Serizawa, the scientist who shows both an analytical perspective and an emotional sentiment regarding Godzilla.
The lead Aaron Taylor Johnson was fantastic. I wonder if he was cast in some of the roles that Shia LaBeouf was in, if they would have been more watchable. He was able to capture both the hidden sadness regarding the loss of his mother and his strength and fearlessness when needed. There were so many moments where I just was cheering for him and his family.
The CGI was better than expected. My only gripe is the fact that most of the scenes with the monsters took place in dark locations or during rainstorms. I understand that we still have some limitations when it comes to computer animation, but I would have loved to see Godzilla appear a lighter shade of green and a bit thinner. He was most certainly a commanding force and the design was near flawless with those two minor exceptions.
I recommend this movie both for lovers of the original and newcomers to the series. It cannot be compared to the 1998 version in any capacity. This is a well thought out movie that keeps the action going from beginning to end.
Both my husband and mother adored it, and everyone leaving the theater had smiles on their faces as well.
Scared Stiff Rating: 9/10
