Godzilla

Godzilla

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Olsen

Directed by Gareth Edwards

In 1954, a nuclear bomb was detonated in Bikini Atoll.  The government said it was a test, but footage shows they were trying to kill a massive creature, to no avail.

In 1999, scientists discover a huge skeleton in the Philippines with two huge pods, one of which is empty.  A supposed earthquake hits Japan's Janjira Nuclear Plant, where Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) and his wife Sandra (Juliet Binoche) work.  The earthquake levels the plant, and the government quarantines the area.

Years later, their son Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is living in San Francisco with his wife Elle (Elizabeth Olsen) and their young son.  Ford is an explosive ordinance disposal officer for the Navy and just returned home, when he's called to Japan to release his father, Joe, who was arrested for trespassing in the nuclear zone that used to be their home.

Ford arrives in Japan to find his father on a desperate search for what really caused the earthquake.  At first he doesn't believe his father, but when they discover that one of the pods found in 1999 is hatched, they find the real truth - huge unidentified creatures are invading, and nothing humans can do can stop it.  Only Godzilla  - the massive creature they once tried to kill - can bring balance back to the world.

Director Gareth Edwards is one of today's best up-and-coming directors.  His feature film "Monsters" is a prolific look at a world torn apart by alien creatures, which he brings to "Godzilla" as well.  Godzilla is mistakenly viewed by people to be the villain, but he's the ultimate anti-hero.  He exists to bring balance to the world, to protect it from danger, in the form of two monsters who are trying to meet to procreate.

The film delivers a slow burn.  Godzilla isn't really even seen until halfway through, but his presence - and the presence of the other creatures - are felt from start to end.  Most people didn't like the dramatic stuff at the beginning, but it was necessary to draw out the character development and to make "Godzilla" more than just a silly monster movie (much like its' 1998 flop). 

The effects, sound and monster battles were, of course, amazing.  Godzilla was massive, and when he roared it went right through your bones.  Their fights were far from the campy Japanese versions of earlier years, and the destruction was utterly palpable.  The only issue with the film, to me, was its lead.  Aaron Taylor-Johnson isn't leading man material, and he never fluctuated in his tone.  Whether it was having fun with his wife, scolding his dad, worrying about his wife, facing imminent death and danger, he never changed his voice, nor his face.  All the while he remained stagnant, while everything around him was changing.  If there was a better lead, I would've enjoyed it more.

Without a doubt, "Godzilla" emerges as one of the summer's biggest blockbusters, not just action packed, but thoughtful and dramatic as well.

My Rating: A-