Go Go Godzilla!

Rating: 8/10 (14 May 2014)

Godzilla is awesome. The movie takes a long time to get there, but all is forgiven once it does.
To get the negatives out of the way, I do have some issues with the movie. Anyone who's seen Gareth Edwards' previous film, Monsters, should have an idea of what to expect. Both his films are exercises in making monster movies where the monsters aren't the focus, a perspective that can be irksome to action junkies. The first scene where the monsters meet ends so abruptly that I was left scratching my head and eager for more of a battle.
Furthermore, the characters in Godzilla aren't terribly interesting. Monsters had a complex and compelling love story, but Godzilla's cast is mostly there to provide some scale reference for the gigantic beasts roaming about. Ken Watanabe seems to be a doctor of standing around and staring out disconsolately at the horizon (although he does get the best lines).
Yet the film's third act makes up for any flaws with some truly breathtaking effects and payoffs, making you realize what Edwards and co. pulled off with this entry to the Toho legend. Clearly inspired by the mounting tension of Spielberg films(complete with characters dangling precariously from things!), all the reveals feel immensely satisfying. The action, still viewed mostly from the puny humans' perspective, does Godzilla justice. The reintroductions of classic Godzilla elements, which you might have been expecting anyway, feel earned.
And on top of all the destruction, I love that Godzilla is a benevolent force for good! It seems so silly, but so right, especially with a brief, but effective shot revealing Godzilla's inner humanity.
Of course there will be naysayers. I've already seen opposing critiques, some arguing that there was too much action and not enough human beings, and others complaining about too much of a focus on humans instead of the monsters. While I lean toward the latter crowd, I still left the theater with a huge smile on my face. Let's hope Godzilla gets the chance to raid again soon.