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

[The Shadow]

I went to see the movie this morning (first show of the day) and I enjoyed it quit a bit. I thought the new movie was a pretty solid film all around, and I'm more convinced than ever that it's going to do well in theaters. Right now, if I had to give it a rating I'd say an easy minimum 8.5/10 and I enjoyed the movie more than enough to give it a 9/10.

A few scattered thoughts

-- Godzilla's atomic ray was pretty neat, it's like a mid-point between the Showa ray and the Heisei ray & Millenium ray

-- The film's score was fine, it never pulls you out of the movie which is how you want a score to be. However, I think the end of the film could have been better still if Godzilla's "march to the sea" at the end had been set to Ifukube's Godzilla theme.

-- It would have been nice to see more of the Hawaii battle proper.

-- I saw no issues with Aaron Taylor-Johnson's acting -- more and more I disregard "wooden acting" as it seems to be a favorite thing for reviewers to use when looking for something negative to say about a movie just to have something negative to say. Even though there usually seems to be little or frequently no foundation for the claims of "wooden acting" once you actually see the film. Although to be honest I've pretty much given up on reading reviews before I see a movie anyways, if it's a movie I want to see I'm going to watch it no matter what the "professional" reviewers tell people to think.

That's enough for now, I'll probably think of a few more things later.

[davezilla]

I decided today that's it just hypocritical to nitpick this film. I mean ripping about the plot and monster origins etc. Aren't we Godzilla fans? Have you not seen the last 60 years of Godzilla films. They all have aspects that aren't perfect. That being said after a few hours settling down I am really really happy with the end results. Gareth Edwards I love ya! Thank you for bringing back a Showa Godzilla type movie. I love the G-man as the hero!

Am I wrong but were all the birds flying around Godzilla a reference to The Return of Godzilla/Godzilla 1985.

[mrbluehair]

Had a friend who was skeptical about the movie as he's not a big Toho fan and no fan of GINO go see this today with his kids, his reply, "It was an awesome film, really did justice to the original and hopefully we get sequels"

That's the kind of response needed from those that do not browse these forums, non fans or those who scoffed at the franchise really enjoying the movie. that's where I think the key is, those people go in thinking it's gonna be bad only to receive an unexpected treat.

[The Shadow]

[lhb412]

[gila-monster]

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but for those who are going to rewatch the film pay attention during the classroom scene in the beginning. There is a poster of a lepidopteran life cycle and the adult moth is designed just like Mothra. I also got a lot of Showa kaiju reference vibes from the close ups of arthropods when they return to the house.

Both of these have been mentioned, and I may have mentioned it a bit in my first post, but this movie definitely felt like an older science fiction film from the 50's rather than what we have been getting recently. On top of that, the film reminded me a lot of Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, especially with the male MUTO in the jungle and how heroic Godzilla seemed at times.

[HannibalBarca]

Yeah. This movie definitely has a lot more of the 60s Godzilla movies in its genetic code than it does Gojira or any modern movies that I can think of. This isn't "The Dark Knight" of Godzilla movies or anything like that. It was a throwback to the old-style Showa movies that took itself seriously, but still had a sense of fun about it. I can appreciate that, but I can understand why some people would say that they think the trailers sort of misled them about what kind of movie to expect. Still, I'm happy with the direction they took it, and if nothing else the format and tone they decided to use is sequel-friendly.

[Hybrid Gojira]

Also got back from my second viewing.

I enjoyed it far more than the first. I'll echo what Ihb said about being overwhelmed my first go around and I'm happy to say that it holds up after a second viewing. For me, the strongest aspects of the movie were the MUTOs. They looked and moved wonderfully. Godzilla ultimately had the bigger "wow" moments, but the MUTOs were incredible and I was consistently amazed by them. I also felt that any quibbles about the lack of action are sort of misplaced. The film never dragged for me this time and I felt like there was plenty of action. The fight scene is quite amazing and envokes a very Mothra vs Godzilla vibe. The male Muto is amazing to watch in action and when Godzilla ultimately kills both of them it got a good reaction from the crowd. I noticed a ton of little details that I missed earlier - MUTO grabbing buildings to stop Godzilla's attack, the (assuming) Mothra reference in the classroom (as someone else just mentioned) and the Mothra reference in the house when Ford and his Father return.

The main theme for the film works well. The rest feels like filler and is forgettable, but that's not a terrible thing. I can still hum the main theme and it is quite catchy..and the rest was coherent enough to work for the context of the movie.

This time around I really enjoyed AJT's character. He's consistent throughout - a military man who is trying to adjust to civilian life and suddenly everything goes wrong. I also dislike how quickly his Father is killed off. The tension could had been so much more, but Cranston is absolutely the man in this film. Dr. Serizawa is also great - I can't complain there. I even enjoyed the campiness at the end.

While I do like this Godzilla design, the arms and the torso look a little off to me...the arms are almost stumpy in a few shots when compared to his body.

I'd probably rate this movie as a solid 7.5/10. It's a shade below being truly fantastic, but it has enough wow moments that it redeems itself from any flaws.

And as a final note - the last battle is really, really great. I think the winged MUTO was especially awesome and the way he is brought to life rivals any monster I've ever seen.

[Henry88]

'Godzilla' Headed For $85 Million-$90 Million Debut
http://www.boxoffice.com/latest-news/20 ... ening-haul

[Gargantuan Gargantua]

Well unless it dips off really hard next week and international. Sequel seems to be guaranteed.

When I was looking at the reviews on RT a lot of the complaints were the lack of Godzilla. His presence was brief, but can you imagine how people are going to react if they give him REAL screen time in the sequel? I just hope this success doesn't go to Edwards head and he can keep delivering decent movies.

[kiryugoji04]

I have ZERO complaints about Godzilla's screentime. I felt like he was in the movie plenty.

[Hybrid Gojira]

[lhb412]

[Hybrid Gojira]

[Diabolik]

Could make 90million this weekend.

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/godzi ... 201184080/

I'm really pulling for it!

[Kaiju Nexus]

THIS MOVIE WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. The last 20 minutes were like a dream-come-true. Every second of it.

I didn't mind the slow build towards the final battle in terms of monster action. The teases and glimpses only added to the excited and anticipation.

And, while I'll admit that Ford was one of the weakest characters in terms of personality, he and his plight were still relatable to me. Plus, at the very least, he was intelligent and thought on his feet. That's more than can be said about most military-types in these films.

The MUTOs were terrifying, intimidating, and at times truly beautiful and even sympathetic. Far more than I was ever expecting from them.

Godzilla was...just wow. What a beast. This is what Godzilla truly is and has always been. Not just an animal, or a monster, or even a force of nature...but a character, in his own right. Godzilla was full of expression and emotion in this film. Absolutely everything I've ever wanted in my Godzilla.

I left this film wanting more, in the best way possible. I can't wait for sequels. Endless sequels.

60 MORE YEARS!!

LONG LIVE THE KING!!!

[Russzilla]

Just returned from seeing it this evening. I'm not really going to echo all the sentiments that's been made already. I thought it was awesome. It was a very good first reboot Godzilla movie, and I for one will be really upset if a sequel is not made. Wife complained that their wasn't enough Godzilla screen time, which was true. I personally would've loved to have seen more of him. But I'm not complaining. His slow reveal was very well done, and I love the MUTO's. My favorite parts has to be when he finally shot his atomic breath. First at the MUTO, (which was an awesome shot of it BTW) then down the MUTO's throat. Don't know if I'm going to see it again, but hey, the blu ray should be out in September anyways. A very, very decent Godzilla movie. Made better by an enthusiastic crowd we saw it with that looked like they loved it also. Heard a few "it was an awesome movie" walking out the theater.

[lhb412]

[Russzilla]

Anyone else notice the homage to Mothra in that school room scene? I could've sworn there was a picture of what almost looked like her tacked up on the wall. Look real carefully for those that goes and see it again.

[Godzilla 2000]

Just got back from GODZILLA 2014!

What can I say? It was a great movie. Not amazing, or mind-blowing, but just a really solid, enjoyable movie. Gareth Edwards' Godzilla has a very bright future, IMO.

I will definitely be doing a full video review for youtube soon, probably after I go see it a 2nd time.

The cherry on top? My NECA Godzilla was waiting for me when we got back! And it's just awesome.

[Psycho Soldier]

[lhb412]

[Hybrid Gojira]

[Psycho Soldier]

[Hybrid Gojira]

See my edit