Godzilla movie review- Exhilarating experience!

Rating: 9/10 (17 May 2014)

The king of monsters, the star of 30 movies, the biggest, baddest reptile is back with a bang. When it first stomped and screeched into the screen in 1954, it was a creature of rampant destruction, born out of nuclear radiation. Over the years Godzilla transformed itself into a savior, ridding the world of other fearsome creatures. Godzilla 2014 was a marvelous experience. This version pays homage to the Japanese versions by aping the look and feel of the monster, in addition to promoting its character of being a hero.
The year is 1999, and Japanese scientist Serizawa travels to Philippines to investigate the discovery of fossils believed to be of ancient dinosaurs. It is not only fossils though, as something that hatched escaped and causes a nuclear power plant meltdown . Thousands die, including Sandra Brody, wife of plant engineer Joe Brody while the Japanese government covers up the incident as an earthquake. 15 years pass by, and Joe continues his endeavors to find the truth behind the accident. His son Ford, who is an explosives expert aids him in his latest foray, and they find out that giant creatures, called MUTO that feast on radiation were the cause of the meltdown, and are being contained by the government.
"The arrogance of men is in thinking nature is in their control while it is the other way round"
Nature is not to be contained then, and when things get out of control, Godzilla rises from the depths of the seas to restore balance in the world, in a spectacular, epic battle. Godzilla in this movie is a god, a primordial alpha predator who lives close to the earth's radioactive core. He does not really love humans but the stability of the world is important for his own survival, and so he fights the good fight, even after being attacked by the military. As far as the outcome goes, we all know what will happen since Godzilla never loses.
Godzilla is a very different kind of kaiju film. Unlike last year's stylish, in your face Pacific Rim, the monster does not take center stage. It does not get to show off, and for some people there may be too little of Godzilla in his own film. Rather, most of the violence, chaos and liquidation takes place off-screen, or gets featured in massive tracking shots, the beauty and detail of which certainly require second viewings.
Director Gareth Edwards does a fantastic job in doing the unpredictable, and creating a suspense film out of a monster brawl fest, much like Cloverfield or World War Z. Like Steven Spielberg's Jaws, Godzillá faces the camera a long time into the movie, but when it does, it is a goose pimp-ling moment. He has put on weight, but that calls for all the more respect, as his wallop packs even more power. The visual effects are breath-taking, and this is a movie that is a must watch in 3D. Godzilla finally delivering the coup de grace to the female MUTO is iconic.
Though the star cast consists of heavyweights such as Bryan Cranston, David Strathairn, Juliette Binoche, Ashley Olsen and Aaron Taylor- Johnson, humans essentially become bystanders in a monster movie. While they all perform competently, there just isn't too much for them to do, but be awestruck most of the time.
Godzilla is an excellent effort, and probably this summer's biggest non superhero movie. Go, watch it. Pander the child in you. I was shouting in the theater.There is nothing profound about it, just honest to goodness fun, and an exhilarating cinematic experience. 9/10