DVD Review: Godzilla (2014)

Courtesy: Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures/Toho Studios

Starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ken Watanabe

Directed by Gareth Edwards

Rated PG-13

My Rating: ****/5

The latest entry in the 60-year-long “Godzilla” franchise has arrived. Since the series

was first released in Japan in 1954; it has since spawned 27 sequels in its native country as well

as an odious 1998 remake. For this new film; Toho not only got directly involved with

production to make sure the details were correct, but they and director Gareth Edwards decided

to take influence from the dark tone of the original 1954 “Gojira” (which is available to mark

the occasion, without Raymond Burr's narration in the film's 1956 US release) and position

the film as less of the “monster vs. monster” action that most audiences are familiar with and go

back to a haunting allegory about the dangers of nuclear power going awry.

As a result, the film has indeed succeeded in updating the character and setting for a

post-Fukushima age while also staying true to its original design. Every scene that builds up

to the climactic final battle in New York City is on par with ones in the classic nuclear disaster

films “The China Syndrome” and “The Day After.”

As such; the film makes sure that the human elements that were conspicuously absent

from the 1998 remake are more carefully handled. Bryan Cranston's performance as one of

the scientists determined to find out the secret behind the monster is on par with his multiple

Emmy-winning performance as Walter White on “Breaking Bad.” His son, played by Aaron

Taylor-Johnson; is a military EOD technician that is not above making every effort he can to

protect those around him, whether it's his wife, young son; or the many civilians caught in the

crossfire in some of the most realistic action scenes of the year. Dr. Serizawa (Watanabe) does

everything he can to provide information that is vital to humanity's survival.

The few flaws I found were some instances of inconsistent pacing. There are instances

where the film lingers on awkward sendups of scenes from previous entries (do we really need

more instances of civilians ignoring news about Godzilla until they actually see him?); and

there is also a notable lack of female characters that have any significant impact on the story.

Yet, above it all, the latest revival of “Godzilla” is a highly satisfying take on its iconic

namesake as well as a character-driven nuclear disaster film. The direction; special effects,

and action scenes are every bit as memorable as the first time the beast rose from the Pacific

Ocean in 1954. I certainly hope that the planned sequels (the first of which is slated for summer

2018) can capture the same deft blend of spectacular action and haunting atmosphere that this

film did. With Edwards at the helm; I think they will. “Let them fight.”

DVD Review: Transformers: Age of Extinction

Courtesy: Paramount Pictures/Hasbro

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Kelsey Grammer, and Stanley Tucci

Directed by Michael Bay

Rated PG-13

My Rating: ****1/2:4

The latest entry in the live-action “Transformers” film series debuted this past summer;

yet again, to highly divisive critical and audience reaction; but another massive box office take

(over $1 billion worldwide as of this writing) and a continued push of the accompanying

action figure line of the same name. By this point; it has become inherently clear that, along

with fellow blockbuster property “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles;” those not familiar with

the 1980s-onward media franchise or Michael Bay's style of filmmaking need not apply, and

everyone else knows exactly what they're in for.

While still keeping the continuity of the 2007 film; 2009's “Transformers: Revenge of

The Fallen”, and 2011's “Transformers: Dark of the Moon;” the film is also a backdoor start

to a planned new trilogy. Widowed scrapper Cade Yaeger (Wahlberg) and his daughter Tessa

(Peltz) are just barely making ends meet when Cade makes a discovery: He bought a mere

banged-up old truck? I think not! He has stumbled upon Autobot commander Optimus Prime

(voice of Peter Cullen); weathered from his many battles against the Decepticons in a new form

paying homage to his design from the 1984 animated TV series and its accompanying toyline.  

This gains the attention of a corrupt government agent played by Kelsey Grammer; who

has declared all Transformers enemies of the state, not merely the Decepticons. As such, Cade

and Tessa must travel with Optimus; as well as the similarly hardened Bumblebee. Other

characters joining the fray are aged Autobot soldier Hound (voice of John Goodman); snide

Autobot marksman Crosshairs (voice of John DiMaggio); pensive Autobot warrior Drift (voice

of Ken Watanabe), and jury-rigged Decepticon Galvatron (voice of Frank Welker). While

some knowledge is required of the events of prior films; it does make a solid launching-on point

for almost 30 years of prior mythology of previous cartoons, comic books; video games, and

other toys.

What follows is surely the most consistent encapsulation of Bay's filmmaking: what he

lacks as a storyteller, he more than makes up for in spectacle. It is highly counterproductive

to apply real-world logic in a movie where Stanley Tucci plays a scientist who reverse-

engineers technology from the corpses of Transformers (including, oddly, a Rainbow Dash toy

that turns into a firearm); and subsequently gets caught in the crossfire as things go awry.

The film is not all that different from a situation a child would imagine playing with the action

figures: in this 165-minute, $210 million blockbuster; colorful robots once again do battle with

otherworldly weapons in set pieces as big as the locales where they are filmed. The action goes

from Texas, to Chicago; to Hong Kong for the final battle that again takes up the bulk of the

film's final act. This time, it involves another mainstay from previous iterations of the franchise:

the Dinobots, led by the massive Tyrannosaurus Grimlock.

By the time Optimus rides Grimlock into battle through the streets of Hong Kong; it has

become clear that the reception the “Transformers” films have received, both good and bad; has

begun to blur together. For the reasons I have outlined, “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” by

that proxy; will be perceived wherever you stand once you finish.  

Video Game Review: Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Courtesy: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Game Freak/The Pokémon Company

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

ESRB Rating: E

My Rating: ****1/2:5

After 11 years since the release of the original “Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire” on

Game Boy Advance; “Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire” not only do a great job

updating already great games for a new generation, but provide satisfying entries in the

“Pokémon” series on their own merits and mark yet more must-own titles for the 3DS.

The story once again concerns you, the player; moving into a small town in the Hoenn

region to be closer to your father Norman; leader of the Petalburg Gym, and your infirm cousin

Wally. Once your journey begins, you will be given access to a large amount of Pokémon from

not only the past games these ones are revisiting; but ones culled from the entire franchise via

new features such as “Mirage Spots” (known to have encounters with legendary Pokémon).

Depending on which version you play, there are one of two villain groups who seek to

awaken the legendary Pokémon for their own misdeeds. Team Magma, led by Maxie; seek to

use the power of Primal Groudon to expand the earth's landmass. Team Aqua, led by Archie;

want to use the power of Primal Kyogre to expand the oceans and flood the earth. Thus, it falls

to you and the help of archeologist Steven Stone to stop them.

While the initial mechanics will be familiar to those who have played past entries; your

abilities will be tested among newcomers and true believers alike. The new ability of sneaking

up on Pokémon with a feature called the “Poké Radar” does take quite a bit of mastering. The

entire battle system has been revamped with the new mechanics from “Pokémon X and Y;”

yet again making the games easy to play, but tough to master. The graphics make good use of

the cosmetic upgrades; from character redesigns to Pokémon and attacks that have been lifted

from Ken Sugimori's drawings. The PokéNav has been upgraded with new features that will

greatly expand your journey in Hoenn's longevity.

Above all, “Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire” have both remained faithful

to the titles they remake as well as updated them for a new generation to enjoy. They are highly

recommended for fans of the franchise and 3DS owners looking for great RPGs. The power's

in your hands.

Introductions: Being Inside Joy

"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Macintosh. Its ongoing mission to explore strange news. To seek out new media and new experiences. To boldly go where no one has gone before..."


There is a great wealth of media at our disposal in this day and age. Thanks to the second phase of the internet;  there is a much stronger desire for a crossroads of multiple kinds of media.

In this place I have set for myself; where time has no meaning, I shall make every effort to enjoy many kinds of media; but take the bad parts in good humor. It's as if the concept  of joy were a tangible thing.

You may never want to leave; and you'll do everything you can to come back. It will contain the latest and greatest in media; as well as things that are somewhere in between.

Even in the darkest of times; there will always be something to enjoy. Even the bad media will have a perspective that treats them with a ribbing in good nature.

If you worry about what will happen over the course of this blog in this term; "Just repeat to yourself, it's just a show; I should really just relax!"