Great CGI, but too much filler material and not enough Godzilla

Rating: 6/10 (5 October 2014)

Godzilla fans like myself aren't here to watch Masterpiece Theater or a soap opera, but to watch the monsters battle it out. So why did Godzilla have such a small part in this movie? It took so long for the beasts to fight it out. Meanwhile, way too much time is devoted to Aaron Taylor-Johnson's family life. It wasn't acted or scripted badly, but it contributed little to the movie except for length. The film has an openly anti-nuclear power message, which is fine, but that was stated too many times. The result of a nuclear power accident is that it causes the creation of two monsters, which resemble locusts, and if they mate, it'll endanger the human race. As a result, Godzilla awakens and arises from the ocean to protect the earth. The special effects and computer generated imagery are excellent, the best ever in a Godzilla movie, and when the battle finally comes, it's well staged. Problem is there isn't nearly enough of it. The closing scene is quite good, but I still felt cheated.