TV watcher

Godzilla

review by Orlando C. Fernando

June 7, 1998

Storyline: 6 (0=worst, 10=best)
Originality: 3
Acting: 4
Special Effects: PERFECT 10
Overall: C- (F=worst, A=best)

The horrifying reptile, terrorizing Japan from the classic movie version, returns to the big screen to wreak havoc again. It lays destruction, devours anything that moves, and roars to the heavens as it readies himself for producing his young (yes, HIS young). At first, terrorizing fishing boats in the South Pacific, it extends his wrath to New York City. An earthworm radiologist (Matthew Broderick) is counted upon to find out what makes Godzilla tick, what are its intentions, and how it can be stopped.

I shudder to begin critiquing the plotholes and implausible action sequences in this movie. Matthew's character gets re-involved with an old flame administrative assistant (Maria Pitillo) working at News 12 in New York aspiring to be a reporter. The mayor of New York City Ebert, along with his campaign partner Gene, try to turn the tragic series of events into an opportunity for re-election. A French insurance agent (Jean Reno) has mysterious motives in also trying to find out Godzilla's agenda. Finally, a fellow reporter from News 12 (Hank Azaria) risks his life, along with the old flame, to get the full expose on Godzilla, at whatever costs it takes (job, friends, and life). These subplots surprisingly can be ignored to have any sort of enjoyment in the film. The CGIs of Godzilla from head to toe, along with the damage to NYC are outstanding (rivaled only by "Independence Day"), and kudos is deserved to the multitude of graphics artists, which actually includes (gasp!) aid from Microsoft Windows. The second best movie feature is the humor, not from the cliched humor of the characters, but the unintended humor of the ridiculous dialogue ("He could be hiding inside a building.") and situations (having artillery completely miss the massive fiend, both in land, sea, and air) they get into. The action scenes, particularly the final one, comes third in ranking, more because of the suspense rather than the credibility.

Final words: Do NOT have high expectations. It's a sci-fi special effects show and not much more. Perhaps worth a matinee movie ticket. Maybe not a rental unless you have a large TV and excellent speakers, otherwise the full force of the special effects, the main appeal of this movie, may be lost in the home translation. A MAJOR ripoff from "The Lost World" lacking the total annihilation experience of "Independence Day". "Godzilla" classic movie purists may be highly disappointed. Newbies may enjoy the cheap thrills. As for the rest of us, it's just another excuse (after alien ships, alien beings, comets, and meteors) to terrorize New York City in the 90's.