Nowhere near its potential, yet enjoyable

Rating: 6/10 (26 May 2014)

Perhaps the most highly anticipated film of the 2014 summer season that masterfully built up suspense in the trailers leading up to it, Godzilla adds new life and excitement to the long-lasting franchise, yet one is left feeling slightly dissatisfied with the finished product. Surprisingly enough, the film places humans in the forefront, mainly focusing on character development rather than the exploits of the notorious monster. Although this approach is successfully executed, with Bryan Cranston being particularly deserving of praise and Aaron-Tyler Johnson also giving a solid performance, it does result in Godzilla becoming a character driven film, which ultimately hurts its essence. However, despite the fact that it presents the audience with an unexpected and uncharacteristic framework, the film does manage to maintain its trademark thrilling style. Godzilla is undoubtedly an enjoyable cinematic experience, and even though it offers far less action than one would anticipate, it is worth watching for the gripping visual and sound effects alone.