Godzilla '98 - Thoughts and Reviews

Thoughts:

What are my thoughts on Tristar's "Godzilla", you ask? My opinion is somewhat mixed. It is a very traditional monster movie, down to the usual subplots. It's even a pretty good monster movie. It's just not a pretty good Godzilla movie. He doesn't use death breath, he doesn't laugh in the face of just about anything, there aren't enough good, long, shots of him. In short, they don't use him right. Also, the story is lacking a little. It's mostly tripe and unnecessary fluff. Devlin and Emmerich forgot what made the good Godzilla movies good, a tight, interesting story. Stick to the strength, not the filler. There are great F/X, although a couple more "money shots" would have been useful.
 

Review:

Godzilla (1998) - 

This movie won't win an Oscar for Best Picture, but it might sweep the F/X awards. If you go to this movie expecting the old Godzilla, you will be sorely disappointed. It just doesn't have the 'force of nature' feel to it. Godzilla doesn't rampage enough. If you study the film for its faults, you will be disappointed too.They are there. Plot holes are evident. (Size Does Matter...) If you ignore the middle 45 minutes, and just sit back and be entertained, the movie is pretty good. The usual D&E 'tributes' are obvious, but are overlookable. The film has less majesty and heart than G:KOTM, G vs Destroyah, or even G '85, but it has some surprisingly poignant moments. (Ironically enough, all with the monster). Look for one scene that is very reminiscient of G vs Destroyah.

Breakdown:

F/X = 4 godzillae - Very well realized. Good attention to details.
Monster = 4 godzillae - It's not the King, but it is still nobility. Surprisingly cunning, it shows the other potential in 300+ ft monsters.
Characters = 1.5 godzillae - Jean Reno is good. Broderick is decent. Kevin Hicks is decent. Hank Azaria is entertaining. Everyone else is wasted.
Plot = 1.5 godzillae - There was a plot? Forget the plot, go back to Godzilla!
 

Spoilers and Corrections:

  • There are Babyzillas. Yes, they look and act somewhat like raptors.
  • Yes, the 'fake' pictures are the real deal. Yes, Godzilla looks better than his pictures.
  • Yes, Godzilla dies on the Brooklyn Bridge after getting fouled in the wires. No, it doesn't take 2/4 missiles to bring him down. It takes a direct hit in the lower ribcage, upper ribcage, and throat from 12 harpoon missiles. Harpoons are air-to-ship missiles. 3 harpoon missiles blew up the Madison Square Garden.
  • The Babyzillas are killed in the Madison Square Garden. One lives.
  • Yes, Godzilla does burrow.
  • No, Godzilla does not walk on four legs.
  • No, Godzilla does not have atomic breath. It is debated whether it is flame breath or just fuel tanks exploding from his power breath.
  • Yes, that taxi is the wonder car.

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