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

[KingKaiju]

[GFan]

[jellydonut25]

[HannibalBarca]

I would definitely say that the cinematography, VFX, and maybe sound effects are worth of Oscar noms, but it'll be a cold day in Hell before The Academy ever nominates a Godzilla movie for anything.

[walshiam]

It wouldn't surprise me a bit. "The Lord of the Rings" films opened the door to these types of films getting nominated. Winning is a whole different story.

[Henry88]

[gila-monster]

I had my second viewing last night with some friends, this time in 2D. I enjoyed the movie a lot more as this time I wasn't scrutinizing it through my Godzilla-fan perspective. It is a great science fiction film, regardless of the name or not. The drama scenes felt better, and were a lot like from what I remember Monsters being like.

The death of Bryan Cranstons character didn't feel as abrupt, but maybe it was because I knew it was going to happen. Storywise it seemed to work on a whole. I feel if they kept him alive the film would have had a more scientist angle, whereas they went the soldier angle instead. Hard to do both, so I guess they had to make a choice.

I enjoyed the 2D a lot more as well, since I felt 3D didn't really add a whole lot. I will be picking this up for sure, and I am definitely looking forward to where they go with the next film.

[GoDziLLaX]

[Cookie]

The opening sequence was flipping awesome.

[lhb412]

While I think a smidgen of levity and some more meat on the bones of ATJ's character (obviously I'm talking metaphorically, as there is certainly no need physically) could've serviced the film, my final summation is that this film is very strong. In fact, upon multiple viewings I think the story is far stronger than one would assume at first glance. There's some really nice thematic stuff running throughout about families, reproduction, and families being torn apart. I also think that article about this being a post-human movie isn't far from the mark. Human's aren't irrelevant in the plot, but they're shown to be just one of the lifeforms occupying the Earth.

Aside from those two sticking points up top I wouldn't change anything about the movie. I think the amount of monster footage was good, I don't think the emphasis on the Mutos was at the expense of Godzilla, I like the score.

[Gwangi]

[lhb412]

[Benjamin Haines]

[william newell]

Saw it again for the 6th time today and I'm still noticing little details. Also, the theater was about 3/4's full. Granted it was one of the small one's, but still, for this late in the game, I think that's pretty good. Still a very diverse mix to the audience as well. Hope I get the chance to catch at least one more viewing before it's gone!

[QBASS]

[Destroysall]

I caught a 10:05a showing at another Harkins that is next to my work (this one's location is horrid). Beside an elderly couple, there were none in the auditorium. I just went by myself this time. I didn't expect there to be a large audience at 10a (every place in that area is practically dead until noon, my work included). I must say that with this time 'round, I found some new favorite parts and re-discovered something that I still think is brilliantly executed.

For my new favorite parts:

1. The scene where Godzilla appears and rocks the Golden Gate Bridge. The whole lot of it is just AWESOME! From that belch of Godzilla silencing the kids, to the sound of the kids screaming as they see Godzilla. I gotta say, putting myself in their shoes, I found myself thinking if Godzilla were real, I'd be scared sh*tless!!!!

2. Next favorite definitely would be when the male MUTO uses the EMP in the sky and the planes start falling. There is a sense of hopelessness that occurs here that I absolutely adored. I'm a sucker for stuff like that. This is where I made that re-discovery. The fact that these monsters just make man feel so insignificant. That mere bombs won't solve a thing. That whatever is powerful in our view of the world is now powerless. I must say, ladies & gentlemen, I again was terrified.

P.S. - Can't wait to go see it again!!!

[RaptorG]

I've only seen the movie twice but with both of my viewing of the movies, there was this weird nostalgic feeling that I felt during the viewing. I didn't go during the opening day but the day after and to my biggest surprised (or experiences about G2014) was that most of the viewers/watchers were older adults(most of them mainly Asian). I'm in my late 20s and felt a good to see many people who most likely grew up watching Godzilla during the 60s and 70s all lined up to watch G2014.

After my second viewing (on a Saturday), I'd manage to talk to one of the older gentlemen and asked if he liked the new take, they replied that they adore it.

[Sokubo]

So, I saw Godzilla for the fifth and final time yesterday, so I thought I should finally post my thoughts on the film.

Guess what. It was pretty good. I didn't see what everyone hated about Aaron Taylor-Johnson. This more jacked-up look made him look like Dean Winchester. Though every time he opened his mouth I totally heard him from Kick-Ass so he had a bit whiny feel to him. But I didn't mind. There was enough stuff going on so he hardly even was on focus. Bryan Cranston did a good job but somehow I feel he and Ken Watanabe (who also did good job) could've easily been the same character.

I also sort of disliked the monsters. I don't too like the The Mist/Cloverfield -sort of monsters. Though I totally liked the fact that there was two of them and the bad monsters had a clear, animalistic motivation and every pseudo-scientific thing about them was explained. I like that stuff. The reason why Godzilla was so into beating them did end up pretty thin. Maybe they'll work on this in the sequels but I didn't quite understand what the pet peeve was with these vermin. Was it because these creatures killed some other Godzilla some bazillion years ago? Is Godzilla some sort of protector of earth?

One of the biggest things in this movie that I liked was the fact that military wasn't seen as some egoistical and incompetent organisation who only learn on the last minute. Movies do that WAY too often and when the military first arrived, this was what I feared the most. Thank cod they didn't fall for this most boring cliché and actually showed that military can be organized and effective. The monster battles were really good. I just wished they showed more from the first fight and the final comeback from Godzilla should have dragged like a minute longer because now he just comes OUT OF NOWHERE and rips the head off (which looked good!) Also, one minor complaint but why do all these epic CGI-battles have to happen during this dark and grey evening. I would like to see these happen during broad daylight even once.

I totally marked out to the Atomic Breath. They sure took their time with it but it was a-ma-zing when it happened.

[Benjamin Haines]

[Gman2887]

[lhb412]

Yeah, I suppose it isn't fully clarified, but I figure that skeleton in the beginning was another Godzilla killed by the two Muto spores. Although the Mutos in this film have the option of attacking nuclear plants and nuclear bombs for radiation sources in the past they'd have to lay their eggs in other radioactive animals (like Godzilla) for the concentrated radiation necessary.

I really liked the way the crafted a reason for the monsters to fight. It makes sense for Godzilla to hate these guys.

[walshiam]

I don't recall any explanation on how Godzilla managed to survive for millions of years.

[lhb412]

^The explanation was that him and other creatures from the radioactive ecosystem have continued to survive by living underground and the deepest crevices in the ocean where they absorb naturally occurring radiation from the Earth's core.

[XvGojira]

[angilas]