A Few Words On Godzilla

I have to say, summer blockbusters don't get much better than they do with "Godzilla", the most recent adaptation in the famous monster's film canon. Not since 1998's disastrous adaptation (the one starring Matthew Broderick of "Ferris Bueller" fame) have we had an American Godzilla film, and the last Godzilla film at all was released in 2004 ("Godzilla: Final Wars").

I don't really have a whole lot to say on the film other than the fact that I really did like it, so a "formal" review wouldn't exactly be all that exciting. I will, however, run through the things I liked and the things I disliked with the film.

Things I liked:

• When Hollywood rounds up actors for big-budget blockbusters, you usually see a lot of the same faces involved. However, I want to give a huge hug to whoever was in charge of casting this film; there are so many inspired choices: recent Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins, Bryan Cranston, Ken Wantanabe Juliette Binoche (though she's arguably a cameo role), Aaron Taylor Johnson, and Elizabeth Olsen are among the names in the cast. Now, what these actors actually do in the film is a whole other story (which I'll get to later), but the fact that we had Sally Hawkins on the same screen as Godzilla is a pretty big reason to celebrate. 
• The production design was incredible, particularly in the abandoned Japanese city that Aaron Taylor Johnson and Bryan Cranston navigate through. It's handsomely mounted and though most of the cities are destroyed, it's gorgeous both before, during and even after.
• The film's score is as epic as you could have hoped for.
• Bryan Cranston is dynamite. He truly is one of our most underrated (but talented) actors. He delivers a very complex performance, despite working against a very constrictive script; please someone give this guy more roles. 
• Though I took issue with Aaron Taylor Johnson's execution of his character (and that has more to do with the script if anything) he has leading man charisma. Seriously, he's on the verge of landing that one role that catapults him to stardom. 
• Godzilla. Godzilla is (pardon my French) fucking awesome. The other 2 monsters that serve as the antagonists are also awesome. The effects in this movie are seriously A+ and awards worthy. I wouldn't be surprised to see it land a nomination in this category come Oscar time. 
• Godzilla himself didn't make an appearance in the film until a good halfway through, which a lot of people took issue with. However, given the way the plot was going, I appreciated that Godzilla wasn't awkwardly crammed in just to cram him in. In fact, it added to the mystery of the film to keep him from showing up for a little bit. Those same critics that complained about his "almost supporting role in his own film" would have been the first to lampoon screenwriters for an overbearing presence.

Now, things I didn't like:

• Really just the script. Though the film does a good job at walking a fine line between human drama and action flick, it could've definitely used some more development in the actual story, particularly in the case of Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor Johnson (who are married in the film). The script criminally wastes the two (ESPECIALLY Olsen, which is the one thing that irked me throughout), skimming over much of their backstory/relationship, so much so there's no real payoff when the 2 are reunited at the end. Olsen has maybe 10 lines total, and is left to looking afraid or concerned the whole time. 

Overall, Godzilla may have its flaws, but it makes up for what it lacks with thrilling action, and an (almost) compelling story. It more than definitely makes up for the embarrassment that was the original, and kicks off the summer season with a bang (literally)