Have an open mind, people!

Rating: 8/10 (26 May 2014)

I had been waiting eagerly to see this movie ever since the release of the first trailer. I felt for sure that when Godzilla 2014 hit theaters it was going to be the biggest hit of the year, and then the reviews were released.
All of them said the same thing. They called the movie 'The first big letdown of the year', the reasons being that it was 'too slow', 'no action', 'dull music', and the most revered complaint of all 'more humans, and little to no Godzilla.' Even the critics labeled the film as 'just another dumb B movie.'
I was let down, I had such high expectations for this film, only to be told that it is worth nothing, but none the less I kept my promise with my father, and we both went to see it a week after it's release. I was anxious the entire time I waited for the movie to begin filming, wondering if I will indeed be disappointed. In the end, I left the theater with the biggest smile on my face since 'The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug'
I loved this movie, all in all, and I am not even a Godzilla fan. Sure I saw two movies from the franchise, but they could never compare to Godzilla 2014.
The human side, being the main focus of the story, is done incredibly well. All of the actors did amazing in their roles, especially Bryan Cranston, whose performance brought me to tears not even fifteen minutes into the film. Do not come into this movie thinking he is the main lead, though, that role belongs to Aaron Taylor-Johnson. While Cranston's character is more interesting, I did not mind Johnson at all, and I rather enjoyed following the story through his eyes the rest of the way. He is not 'bland' as everyone claims he is, it is just how most military men are.
If you thought Avatar and Gravity had amazing effects, then you will need a definite change of pants when you see what Mr. Edwards has conjured. Not once did I see pathetic CGI, the creatures called MUTO were real, enormous, and terrifying. It brought me back to Spielberg's 2005 adaptation of 'War of the Worlds', the tripods frightened me then, and the MUTO's frighten me now. It surprises me that no one mentions the MUTO's in any of their reviews, the majority of the story revolves around the military chasing down these ancient parasites, which was exciting enough for me. I don't get how anyone could see this as boring. Of course, neither the army, or the MUTO's can compare to Godzilla himself.
I saw the King of the Monsters when he emerged from behind the Hawaiian airport, not a lame mutated iguana (I'm looking at you Roland Emmerich), and he is as incredible and bad-ass as everyone remembers him in the Toho franchise. When it comes to his screen time, we are offered mere glimpses, from his full body torso, to the dorsal fins swaying through the sea like massive shark fins, through out the film, until we see him in full action in the third act of the movie. I was satisfied with this, it brought me back to such films as 'Jaws' and 'Alien', where we are given small hints until the final act.
I was hooked into this movie as soon as it started, not once did I check my watch, or leave for the restroom, for two hours I stared at the screen, and felt all too tempted to applause when it finished. This is no lame B monster flick, this brought an atmosphere, and seriousness to Godzilla, I was taken back to the original Gojira film from 1954. While it has it's flaws, I easily look over them for the rest of the story. Haters and critics alike need to give this movie another chance, I found it better then 'Cloverfield', and even 'Pacific Rim'.
Thank you Gareth Edwards for bringing a classic monster back to the big screen, I look forward to the sequels.
9/10