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.”