Godzilla!: A giant hit to the feels!

The summer block busters are coming out swinging with the latest adaptation of everyone’s favorite gigantic reptile, Godzilla!  I was fortunate enough to be taken to see this epic cinematic master piece in Imax 3-D and let me tell you, it makes all the difference in the world.  Adorable Adam spoils me, what can I say?

So right out of the gates, the concept really vibes with the conspiracy theorists.  I will say, it was nice to see them actually reference events that could actually have been possible.  The opening credits were pulled nicely; so many times directors forget that these set the pace for your film.  If you don’t believe me, go watch Seven again.  That film was sold on the idea of the opening credits.  When it moved forward, the set design was purely amazing as it takes you straight into the belly of a beast, no really they cave into the skeletal remains of a beast. 

It’s so hard to write this and not give anything away, and since I really hate to be the one to ruin a film I want to focus on the acting.  Now, one of the big draws for this movie is that it stars Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, he did not disappoint.  The range that this man is able to achieve with just his facial expressions is ground breaking.  I want to say that it was his eyes; they read so deeply on film that you start to feel everything all at once.  Another high point for me was rolling out the traditional Asian flair of Godzilla with Ken Wantanabe.  All I can say is that it felt a little type casted but really, where is Godzilla without the all-knowing Japanese scientist to insist that Godzilla is not the evil force but works with us to restore balance.  At the other end of the spectrum however is Elizabeth Olson who severely needed the strengths of other actors to carry her flat performance through the film.  It’s sad how we as an audience have started to accept flat and emotionless dialogue as acting from our female leads.  I blame the idea of wrinkles, I mean that must be why; if you don’t move your face you won’t wrinkle.  So, in Scarlett Johanssen is going to have a perfect face forever!

As for the film itself, if you are any kind of fan of the original films you need to go.  I know the concept is scary, given the way we were let down by Matthew Broderick.  Still, this film brought back to us (me, Adam and his coworker friend) the ideas we loved about traditional Godzilla.  The face was that was kind of dog dinosaur looking, the scream was dead on and the destruction was delicious.  The battle scenes were choreographed in such a way that my childhood felt it, and in the midst of it all was real heart and family. 

This movie was such a relief from the past few reboots that have been circling the drain.  I personally think it was because they took the time to connect with both story and character and made sure to relate both to the audience.  You want to cheer when Godzilla arrives, you get lost in the intense framing, all of it is a testament to the talent of a real dynamite team.  Bravo!