The heck with beating around the bush: ‘Godzilla’ was the best mainstream American release of the summer, with little serious competition. Those who complained that it didn’t have enough monster action weren’t by and large simply exhibiting impatience with the rare ‘popcorn’ movie that actually cares about more than just giant things crashing into each other – they were clearly also not familiar with the dozens of Godzilla movies made in the last 60 years, many of which focus more on the humans than the monsters and some which barely include the big fella at all.
All of which is beside the point. This new ‘Godzilla,’ directed by indie filmmaker Gareth Edwards, walks a fine line, and that it never loses balance is something of a miracle. The 1954 original Japanese film was a direct response to the nuclear bomb. In 2014, the United States has no equivalent, but it’s been 16 years since this particular monster has toppled buildings stateside, and it isn’t lost on this reboot that those images have newfound meaning. This is a Godzilla film that tangibly considers the effects of its action – and the resultant loss of life – absurd as that may seem, except that the best of science fiction has always been allegorical.
Serious character drama and a humbling vision of nature’s ultimate dominance (and man’s relative insignificance) notwithstanding, this is also great spectacle, with an economy of visual language that alone merits repeat viewings. The human storyline – kick-started by the great Juliette Binoche – registers with quotidian resonance, and the fisticuffs between Godzilla and his foes suggests a kind of apocalyptic dance. Edwards clearly loves the material, and that reactions have been so divided, seems indication that he’s done it justice. More ‘Apocalypse Now’ than ‘King Kong,’ this ‘Godzilla’ earns its place among the great movie remakes.
‘Godzilla’ is available now on HD Digital Download, and will be released on DVD/Blu-ray Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Robert Humanick is a contributing writer for slantmagazine.com
Follow Rob on Twitter @rhumanick