Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Gareth Edwards, Legendary Pictures, M 123 Minutes.
The Japanese inspired monster first hit the big screen in 1954, then with a remake released by sci-fi supremo Roland Emmerich in 1998 using the headline “size does matter”, and now ‘Godzilla’ has been revived by ‘Monsters’ director Gareth Edwards.
But a special treat awaits fans of this monster genre by Edwards; it showcases not just one monster but three to add to the enjoyment factor of this entertaining monster movie which is further enhanced by some great digital effects.
The movie opens with archival footage of nuclear testing before skipping to 1999 Japan where scientist Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston – ‘Breaking Bad’) is desperately trying to shut down the nuclear power plant following some suspicious seismic shaking.
Unfortunately the cooling towers at the facility begin to collapse, burying his wife Sandra (Juliette Binoche – ‘Chocolat’) in the rubble which is witnessed by his school-aged son.
Fifteen years later Joe’s grown-up son Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson – ‘ Kick-Ass’ franchise), now a Navy bomb disposal expert is being reunited with wife Elle (Elizabeth Olsen – ‘Avengers’) and young son Sam when he receives a phone call about his estranged father.
On learning that his father has been arrested for trespassing Ford reluctantly goes to Japan to bail out his mentally disturbed father who believes that there is a cover-up in having the site of the former nuclear plant quarantined.
When the rumblings occur again similar to 1999, Joe and Ford find themselves working with Japanese scientist Serizawa (Ken Watanabe – ‘Inception’) and his assistant Graham (Sally Hawkins – ‘Blue Jasmine’) just as two creatures from the same species emerge to create havoc.
It is when the movie reaches its halfway point that the giant (and spikey) Godzilla appears, which many of its fans are waiting to see- especially if all three colossal creatures will join together in their destruction of various cities.
Quite clearly in his enjoyable version Edwards has made Godzilla the leading star overshadowing other stars such as Cranston, Taylor-Johnson and Watanabe in their portrayals of their secondary characters.
In Edwards’ revival he has shown a soft spot for the “King of the Monsters” as seen in the concluding scenes by providing a hint that Godzilla may reappear again, which would appeal to both fans and others alike.
Godzilla is to be televised on 7 MATE on Saturday 20 March at 7.30pm.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars
