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This is an acceptable three star movie, but I have given it a fourth star because of the special effects. Again, nuclear mutation, has struck. This time, some sort of imaginary sea creature crawls out of the ocean (let me guess, in Japan) and devastates a large city. These creatures can't ever attack some little town or village, but they always have to go after New York, Tokyo, London, or some other mega city. Well, this one winds up in New York, and between Godzilla and the Army, manages to destroy practically everything. Well, I guess that we are making some progress. . . Fifty years ago, they would have had "the flying wing" drop atomic bombs on it! Do you think that they ever wondered what happened to all of the people when they dropped those bombs?
Let me first say that the only reason I gave this a 2 and not a 1, was because I chose to look at this film from two perspectives. I looked at it as movie goer who has never seen the Japanese Godzilla and found this movie to be decent. The cast isn't exactly the most proper and the plot flow doesn't really do wonders. While most people enjoy the scenes with the hatchlings chasing the main characters through MSG, I find them to be a tad over the top - mainly because I feel the producers, directors, writers (whoever) decided that they needed to separate their film from the originals. What proceeds is, more or less, an action film where I feel just as much focus is put on the people as it is the monster. Now, let's look at it from the standpoint of a long time Godzilla fan. Someone who has seen the Japanese movies would flip at the sound of an American-made film of our jolly green giant. When they see it, though, they will flip in an entirely different manner. For starters, while Godzilla has been created via CGI and looks remarkabley more realistic than the man in a suit we are accustomed to, the appearance is...well...shocking. The creators of this gargantuan reptile decided to give it a slightly more real approach...and for some reason, they also gave him Jay Leno's chin. At any rate, a old school Godzilla fan may not appreciate the appearance - no matter how real. Secondly, he shrunk...suddenly he's not so menacing as the stomping thunder lizard of old. Thirdly, where's the fire breath? The weapon, the seemingly symbol of all that is Godzilla, is not present. No lighting of the scales on the back, no radioactive bursts coming forth from the creature's mouth. Now, we're looking at an even less menacing creature than we were to begin with. Also, while old Godzilla films did use people and dub some of them as main characters, they never really were the focal point or there to rival the stardom of Godzilla. The people were there merely to move the plot from beginning to end; but, let's face it, we were only watching to see the monster...or monsters, pending on what film you're watching. So this movie leaves little to be desired. It's really no secret, many reviewers gave this film poor critiques. Unfortunately, this American film really shows that while our production values may be set quite high, sometimes it overshadows our scripts. If you want a pretty standard action film with a large lizard, I say give this film a try - but there is definitely more to dislike than enjoy. If you're an old school, Japanese Godzilla fan...well...you'll be severely disappointed.Read full review
Ok, you've seen it a dozen times before... More Nuclear Testing... The Nuclear Testing once again awakens the green monster.... But this time Godzilla demolishes large portions of New York instead of Japan.... But actually this time the cast has some decent actors in Hank Azaria, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, and Matthew Broderick. However the storyline just isn't the same Godzilla monster, and the appearance of Godzilla is not the same either. It's too different, and made for a more mainstream viewing public. However this movie didn't do as well at the box office as the producers were hoping it would. Basically this movie is for Godzilla fans only!!
Despite the reviews by some critics, I find this movie to be the best of all Godzilla movies produced thus far - by far! It is much more realistic to me, and has great visual effects, great music, and excellent actors - plus a nice story line. Roland Emmerich did quite well, as usual.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I don't truly consider this a Godzilla movie because the core of Godzilla's being is not displayed. It is a fun monster movie even though it does not reflect Kaiju movies. The Japanese are into concept movies rather than character development. Why a character does what they do is not as important as a message they're trying to get across. Therefore, HOW one gets from point "A" to point "Z" is irrelevent. More important is the fact that one could end up at point "Z", and what would that journey mean overall? Japanese movies deal with a lot of "what if's" and don't worry too much if it can't be explained by modern science or understanding. But that's what I enjoy about it. Just like small children can pretend that they're Superman and, " If I use my heat vision and run real fast then I could..." The results of that type of imagination are endless. However, I still enjoy good character development and suspense which Godzilla 1998 delivers. Also, It is commendable to break tradition and try a new concept with an old idea. What if Godzilla were faster and sleeker? We have the technology in film now. So, let's do it. If this movie didn't work for many people, that's ok. Maybe the next person will incorporate the traditional Godzilla with the more modern technological twist to create not just the Kaiju we love, but one that tingles the spine in an array of image "magic" that overloads our sensory systems in awe and wonder. Well, it's just a thought. I do recommend this movie for monster enthusiasts who just let themselves go without preconceived ideas determining the outcome of characters or anything else for that matter.Read full review
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