A Monster Movie that does it Right

Rating: 9/10 (12 August 2018)

After the disappointment of the '98 Godzilla, you'll naturally have doubts about a new American Godzilla movie. Cast those doubts aside. Godzilla (2014) handles all the monster movie tropes correctly and the result is a great addition to the lineage of the King of the Monsters.
First, nobody's favorite part of a monster movie is watching the humans talk to each other. This movie is no exception, but the characters aren't annoying or nearly as forgettable as other monster movies' humans. Even after Bryan Cranston's character dies, the characters' story remains followable and interesting.
As for the monsters themselves, their roles are handled perfectly. Throughout the film, the monsters' presence is shown very sparingly, giving the creatures the air of mystery that causes you to regard them as titans, not just big things that destroy stuff. They are very rarely shown in their entirety for whole shots until the finale, making their appearances all the more mystical and powerful.
One thing I think is noteworthy is that the film features two monsters that are entirely new to the franchise. These monsters, M.U.T.O.s, are terrifying and interesting. Additionally, they serve as the antagonists, giving Godzilla the role of protector of earth; a role that the uninitiated may not know he frequents.
All in all, Godzilla (2014) is everything you want in this kind of monster movie. This is a great introduction to the franchise as well as a respectable American adaptation for long time fans.