Godzilla (DVD, 1998, Closed Caption)

Ok, you've seen it a dozen times before... More Nuclear Testing...

The Nuclear Testing once again awakens the green monster....

But this time Godzilla demolishes large portions of New York instead of Japan....

But actually this time the cast has some decent actors in Hank Azaria, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, and Matthew Broderick.

However the storyline just isn't the same Godzilla monster, and the appearance of Godzilla is not the same either.

It's too different, and made for a more mainstream viewing public.

However this movie didn't do as well at the box office as the producers were hoping it would.

Basically this movie is for Godzilla fans only!!

Let me first say that the only reason I gave this a 2 and not a 1, was because I chose to look at this film from two perspectives. I looked at it as movie goer who has never seen the Japanese Godzilla and found this movie to be decent. The cast isn't exactly the most proper and the plot flow doesn't really do wonders. While most people enjoy the scenes with the hatchlings chasing the main characters through MSG, I find them to be a tad over the top - mainly because I feel the producers, directors, writers (whoever) decided that they needed to separate their film from the originals. What proceeds is, more or less, an action film where I feel just as much focus is put on the people as it is the monster.

Now, let's look at it from the standpoint of a long time Godzilla fan. Someone who has seen the Japanese movies would flip at the sound of an American-made film of our jolly green giant. When they see it, though, they will flip in an entirely different manner. For starters, while Godzilla has been created via CGI and looks remarkabley more realistic than the man in a suit we are accustomed to, the appearance is...well...shocking. The creators of this gargantuan reptile decided to give it a slightly more real approach...and for some reason, they also gave him Jay Leno's chin. At any rate, a old school Godzilla fan may not appreciate the appearance - no matter how real. Secondly, he shrunk...suddenly he's not so menacing as the stomping thunder lizard of old. Thirdly, where's the fire breath? The weapon, the seemingly symbol of all that is Godzilla, is not present. No lighting of the scales on the back, no radioactive bursts coming forth from the creature's mouth. Now, we're looking at an even less menacing creature than we were to begin with. Also, while old Godzilla films did use people and dub some of them as main characters, they never really were the focal point or there to rival the stardom of Godzilla. The people were there merely to move the plot from beginning to end; but, let's face it, we were only watching to see the monster...or monsters, pending on what film you're watching.

So this movie leaves little to be desired. It's really no secret, many reviewers gave this film poor critiques. Unfortunately, this American film really shows that while our production values may be set quite high, sometimes it overshadows our scripts. If you want a pretty standard action film with a large lizard, I say give this film a try - but there is definitely more to dislike than enjoy. If you're an old school, Japanese Godzilla fan...well...you'll be severely disappointed.

Great movie for it's time.
Bought the original on VHS, but there's a much clearer picture on DVD.

If you're looking for something fun, and a bit of action, this is the movie for you.

9/10 rating; but only because of the limited special features.
Still an excellent movie overall.

The special effects were very well done and did not follow the standard "Japanese" remakes that have been done in the past. Matthew Broderick stars as "The Worm Guy", a genetic specialist who is called in to try to discover what has happened when a countryside is destroyed and 18 foot long paw prints are seen going in and out of the area. Godzilla makes it to New York City where he builds a nest and lays hundreds of eggs. Of course, he is destroyed in the end, but the movie has a nice twist ending which leaves it open for a follow up at some point in the future.

To me this is the best Godzilla movie out there. The special effects are great. My favorite scene is where it looks like Godzilla is going to step on the guy taking pictures and when he raises his foot the guy is in the crack.