One of the Best Sci-Fi Movies Ever

Rating: 8/10 (15 May 2014)

Being a fan, I expected some good old cheesy fun like you get from the older movies with the exception of the first movie. The first film from 1954 is very gritty and dark. The series changed a lot as it progressed over time, becoming a pop icon of fun. Much like Pacific Rim. The movie was nowhere near amazing, but it was fun. I came into this pseudo-sequel expecting the same thing. I never expected it to even touch the greatness of the original film, but my expectations were beyond exceeded. I'm more than willing to call this movie a tour-de-force of science fiction. A masterpiece. I'm writing this in the perspective of a person that doesn't like the genre, even though I do. The story of this movie moves along through the people affected by the destruction brought on by the monsters. You have an immediate connection and attachment to everyone you meet in the film. Even the minor ones. When it comes to the time of action (monsters begin wreaking havoc), you witness some... A lot of dark, realistic, extremely vivid, terrifying, and serious events. These scenes were so vivid and realistic, I could picture these types of things happening during the drive home just by looking over the rainy, misty horizon over the trees beside the road. Best of all, the people operating the cameras are not conformists. They do not use shaky cam like everyone else in action movies these days to get things done cheaply. You see everything from start to finish as if you're looking with your own eyes in the multiple settings of the movie. You really feel as if you're there. Everyone, I mean, everyone in the theater was on the edge of their seats. That's a phrase that has become overused this day and age, but it's literal. You could not see any member of the audience dozing off or not panicking. Yes, panicking. People were grabbing their hair and clenching the arms of their seats in the theater. This is no lie, because I was one of them. The director, Gareth Edwards, is someone to look out for, because his visuals in this film are breathtaking. There is no way to describe the suspense this movie brings to the table. Everyone from the catering to the makeup department deserves some award. Gareth, as I said, was phenomenal as a director. You really see some key angles and movements that could easily take him to a high level of fame. The cinematographer, Seamus McGarvey (a veteran), really took this film to the next level with his stunning work. I could see him receiving a third Oscar-nomination for this. I really could. The plot was solid, a lot more convincing then I could have imagined. I was a little disappointed in the script by Max Borenstein at first, but his screenplay escalates to the heavens when it comes to plot points - where the movie takes wild turns. I was very satisfied with the way the story translated from the script to the screen. If I could write down on paper what this man saw while writing this, I would pack my bags and move to Hollywood right now. I really hope to see more from everyone involved in this picture. This was only the crew, however. The cast surprised me. I didn't expect such a well performance by Aaron Taylor-Johnson or anyone else. Except for Bryan Cranston and Ken Watanabe. They're legends. The actors' reactions to the events presented in the film are just moving and engaging, because no character here is bland or similar. Overall, you can tell I'm highly impressed with this film and I cannot wait to watch it again. The only negative thing I have to say about the film is the odd ending, but I won't spoil anything. I think you'll get the ending issue as well. I hope they're planning to make a sequel. If they do, I'll be there.