Godzilla (2014) Review

Godzilla (2014)

Director – Gareth Edwards

Stars – Aaron Taylor – Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen

Back in 2010 Edwards made ‘Monsters’ on a shoestring budget, 1 camera, 2 unknown actors and 3 plane tickets to Mexico, after several months his small indie debut hit the big time. He was given what any aspiring director wants; the keys to Hollywood. After talks and casting, Godzilla was green lit and on its way. After all he was a good man to trust, his first film was able to show characters with great depth and meaning whilst the actual Monsters were as impressive as the build up to the moment when we saw them. With this in mind and after seeing the first teaser trailer (The halo jump) the scene was set for Godzilla to be a triumph.

Edwards begins the film well with a slow burn approach using his actors alongside an amazing score to create tension and suspense. However as we descend into the second act the story seems slightly muddled and lost, Aaron Taylor Johnson and Olsen have two scenes together in the whole film and it’s hard to care about them when Bryan Cranston is onscreen stealing every moment he’s in the frame. This alone isn't bad; it’s the fact that we don’t see the titular character for the majority of the 2^nd act. Edwards intended this to be the case, wanting the audience to expect his arrival at any moment and when he does for him to start smashing everything up. But what we get instead are two ‘Muto’s’ Insect like creatures that spend a lot of time walking and flying around America causing havoc whilst Godzilla waits at the bottom of the Pacific apparently. This was interesting as by the end of the film you realize you haven’t actually seen much of Godzilla, instead we've spent the majority of the time watching Aaron Taylor Johnston visit Japan, Hawaii and San Francisco whilst Muto’s wander around eating radiation (which they use as a food source.)

However when we do finally see Godzilla there is a moment of awe, the signature roar blasts over the speakers and once again your hooked. The impressive budget of $160 million creates some impressive CGI, which is as expected. Yet after all this waiting around it doesn't have a lasting impression, as building after building falls you begin to wonder where Ken Watanabe has gone and if he’s going to come back and deliver some more show stopping acting? It is unfortunately not the case as he spends most of the third act in a military base and not in the center of the action.

Edwards has created a great monster with a rousing cast, it’s just a shame that they weren't used to their full potential. Still with box office takings at $9.3 million so far, there is probably going to be a sequel right? Better head to Mexico this time Gareth.

RATING 3/5