TALKBACK: Godzilla (2014) - (OBVIOUS SPOILER DISCUSSION)

[Jinzo Ningen]

Watched 2014 G and Pacific Rim over the weekend. Viewed back-to-back it really got me fired up at the possible prospect of joining these two movie worlds. Bring on the Jaegar MechaGodzilla or MOGERA!

[daikaijusaurus]

I think they could've done a few minor edits to the script to fix some of the problems with this movie. They could've kept Cranston dead, but as Ford is going on his journey to find his family he could've had some flash backs between him and his father. This way their relationship could've been fleshed out a lot more and we could see what exactly went wrong between them that made them so estranged. And they also should've had more scenes with El in hospitals connecting with the patients she's trying to help. This way her character could've been developed a little more. This was after all a disaster movie, they could've focused a little more on the human tragedies and how this affected the main characters.

And lastly, they should've removed the annoying quick cuts after the first couple of times. The first time was funny and clever, the second time was annoying but tolerable, then it just got plain annoying.

I don't know these are just my ideas. I don't understand, they had one of the most talented writers (Frank Darabont) in the industry, why could't he have fixed some of these problems? They didn't give him enough time? Money? I remember an audio interview with Max Borenstien, and he said that when Darabont was done with his edits, the script was given back to Borenstien. My guess is that's what went wrong!

I still love the movie. It strengths far outweigh it's weaknesses in my opinion. Can't wait for Godzilla 2!

[Pkmatrix]

[TerranigmaFreak]

Just rewatched the movie on my new 4K TV. Well, the version I saw was still a 1080p blu-ray, but it still looks amazing!

Let's face it, everyone agrees what the pros and cons are for this movie. It's still a very good movie though. Besides Byran Cranston, Elizabeth's acting was also top notch. Just her being, sad, worried and terrified hit an emotional cord. The beginning of the movie is still incredibly hard to watch, in a good way. You know it's coming, but I was still misty eyed. For all it's worth, I still think it's less boring than Peter Jackson's King Kong. I couldn't watch that a second time.

[lhb412]

Caught it on TV the other day and watched it all the way from the first Muto emerging from its cocoon all the way to the end.

I think that while the characters may have been pretty basic, the fact that they were played by a stable of such strong actors elevated them somewhat, even the oft-lambasted Aaron Taylor Johnson. The story and plotting and special effects and monsters are all rock-solid, though. The last 25 minutes or so is classic.

It seems that some scenes featuring character development were excised to keep the runtime down and to improve pacing. I hope the one lesson that Edwards and company have learned is how better to integrate these more character intensive scenes into the essential plot, instead of being like garnish that can be edited out.

[hanshotfirst1138]

I can't watch it on TV. It's incomprehensible to me we still have put up with cropping in the age of widescreen HDTVs!

[jellydonut25]

I don't notice it being cropped...

maybe just because when I watch movies on TV I'm never as into them as when I pop in the Blu-ray. It's on TV, that's a nice bonus for me.

[Geno]

It's a good movie. Not the BEST SINCE FIDDE FOUR but it's not GINO 2.0. It is disappointing that Godzilla only came out for like, what 10 mins and that most of the characters were just boring. I'm just glad to see an American high budget CG Godzilla that doesn't suck.

[mr.negativity]

[lhb412]

[jellydonut25]

I don't think the decision to kill Cranston is a fault in and of itself. It's that Cranston's death really does nothing and has no effect on the rest of the characters or action of the film.

[DannyBeane]

[Reaper G]

I have no problem with killing off Binoche's character, as that's what sent Joe Brody off on his 15-year mission and caused his strained relationship with Ford.

[jellydonut25]

[Reaper G]

[QBASS]

guys, is it me or is HBO playing this movie around the clock.any of you guys now if its because the ratings are high?,does HBO post how many people are watching any movie?...just asking

[Quakerzilla]

[lhb412]

[Quakerzilla]

[eabaker]

The problem with "give Ford a flaw" is that, while it might make the movie more superficially engaging/entertaining, it wouldn't really mean anything; it would be empty hand waving.

I think the biggest mistake that the filmmakers made was putting Ford at the center of so much of the action at all. This should have been much more of an ensemble piece, with less screen time for Ford, and more screen time for his wife, their child, Serizawa, generic General (I'd the use of Strathairn is an even bigger waste of talent than Binoche, since she was at least given some acting to do in her brief appearance - he's a complete nothing character who's given a distracting, pretentious introductory shot simply because we're supposed to be impressed by the casting), and bland assistant lady. The movie should be about the impact of Godzilla and the MUTOs on a range of people - and, even more so, on people en masse - and the focus on Ford undercuts what otherwise seems to be the thematic intent of the script.

[Quakerzilla]

[eabaker]

[XvGojira]

[MekaGojira3k]

My biggest issue with the watch sequence is that Serizawa effectively just says "HIROSHIMA" drops a microphone and walks out. It's so oddly placed. The watch reveal feels like might have felt better during the Let them Fight conversation or something.

[Quakerzilla]