Director: Roland Emmerich

Writer: Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich (Screenplay) Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio (Story)

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner, Harry Shearer, Arabella Field

 

Plot: When an enormous radioactive monster Godzilla comes to Manhattan it wreaks havoc on the island city. Doctor Niko Tatopoulos (Broderick) to help identify the creature and its weaknesses the military try to neutralize the situation but lose the creature in the city. Add in a hungry want to be news reporter Audrey (Pitillo) and fearless cameraman Victor ‘Animal’ Palotti (Azaria) trying to expose the truth as well as French secret service Phillippe Roache (Reno) who has to try and cover up all the details of what is going on.

 

Verdict: A fun creature feature with mega destruction

Story: The idea in the story is made plenty of times with Godzilla being in many films over decades sometimes on its own other time with another monster. This time Godzilla is on its own just trying to hide and make a nest. We have unlikely heroes alongside idiot soldiers who shoot first and ask questions later. They have a feebly attempt at a love story which takes away some of the fear in the creature side of it. Most of the other characters have been made into stereotypes which take away individuality in the characters. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Matthew Broderick – Doctor Niko who investigates worms and gets hired to help identify a giant monster. His character feels like it should be a smaller part rather than the hero of the story. Matthew does an ok job but doesn’t shine too much in the role. (6/10)

 

Actor Review: Jean Reno – Phillippe French secret service who has to cover up the creature invasion of Manhattan. Jean is the funniest character in the film be it his hate of American coffee and missing French food as well as his Elvis impression. Best performance in the film. (8/10)

Actor Review: Maria Pitillo – Hungry reporter looking for her big break who takes advantage of her old boyfriend Niko. Doesn’t give the best performance very annoying character who makes the film more of rom com than action feature. (4/10)

 

Actor Review: Hank Azaria – Daredevil cameraman who has one of the most memorable scenes in the film. Good performance as always seems to come off lucky to escape the situation left in. (7/10)

 

Director Review: Roland Emmerich – King of the mega destruction films and this is no different delivers a good action film with light comedy to break the serious side of the story. (8/10)

 

Action: Some excellent action scenes. (9/10)

Thriller: Some good build but not to a level we would be expecting to get in this sort of film. (5/10)

Special Effects: Some great special effects creating the creature which have dated a bit now. (7/10)

Believability: Radioactive test could have caused anything but this is a bit farfetched but you never know. (1/10)

Chances of Tears: Potential very few people may get a tear. (1/10)

Settings: Manhattan has many iconic locations that we get to see and most get destroyed but create a good setting for the film. (8/10)

 

Suggestion: I would suggest this as it is a good action film that will be in the category of switch off your brain and enjoy the film. (Try It)

 

Best Part: First invasion of the creature.

Worst Part: Love story is poor.

Action Scene of the Film: Final chase scene with creature.

Funniest Scene: Niko in the elevator.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No sequel but reboot

Similar Too: Independence Day, Cloverfield

 

Overall: Fun Monster feature

 

Rating