Movie: Godzilla: King of the Monsters
My Rating: 4 stars
What a fun movie to see on the big screen! I recently saw this movie in the theater when I was back visiting my family, and I had so much fun. It was a Tuesday night, and there was a fair amount of people there to see it. And, let me tell you, the kind of person at a weeknight screening of a Godzilla movie is a super-fan, and is 100% on board for all the awesome action this kind of movie has to offer. And, this movie had A LOT to offer. Not only did we get so see Godzilla (King of the Monsters) fight all the classic beasts (Rodan, King Kong, the Muto (Muti?), Ghidorah, etc), and watch him commune with his forbidden love (Mothra), but there are also a lot of winks to all the die-hard fans in the audience. We see glimpses of beloved characters. (My favorites were the Mothra twins). We get a few monster origins stories. And, when the classic music cues come in, I could feel the audience members collectively lose their shit. The energy was great.
I can’t say I loved the story that surrounded all these epic monster fights. It’s something about eco-terrorists waking up all the monsters to punish the earth for global warming or something. But, the plot was hardly the point. Vera Farmiga is a brilliant scientist who may not understand the full power of her monster-related inventions. Millie Bobby Brown is her delightful daughter who does impulsive, dangerous things that progress the story in predictable ways. But, it’s really ok, because these movies have always been a bit cheesy, and these sections of the movie really just serve as bumpers for the sweet monster throw-downs. And, Godzilla really brings his A-game.
This is a very fun movie. It really was worth seeing on the big screen, just to get the full impact of the fights, and to feel the full-blast surround sound. Since this movie is all about the fighting and the music, I think it was really meant to be seen in the theater. But, I realize that you may have a hard time finding a place still playing it. But, the movie is still worth renting at home. But, while I’d like to be able to say that this movie could be enjoyed by anyone, I won’t kid myself. This movie really is for people who grew up with and love all the classic, old, rubber-suit Godzilla movies. You’ll spot tons of references, and the nostalgia will really hit you in the “something in my eye” zone. I got a lot out of it. Maybe you will too.