COME ON!!! Dean, Roland, you could have shit a better movie than this. I’m sorry, and forgive me for being crude, but that’s all this movie is. I just can’t believe that these were the same guys who gave us STARGATE and INDEPENDENCE DAY. Did you make this movie in a week, because it sure as hell felt like it? In fact, the poster should read: “GODZILLA!!! A WASTE OF TIME AND YOUR MONEY,” not to mention another good cast. Matthew Broderick looks bored and practically phones in his performance. But who can blame him, especially with such substandard material to work with. And then to waste the talents of Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Jean Reno, Michael Lerner and Kevin Dunn too. All are unknowns really, but they’ve played supporting characters for years and it’s about time that they were given their due. So please Hollywood Executives, don’t let these good actors and actresses take the fall for this stupid trash.
About the only difference between this Godzilla and ones of the past is that this had a budget. So besides decent effects, the quality is exactly the same. To be honest, I haven’t seen any of those old Godzilla movies in years, but I’d almost be willing to say that they were infinitely better than this version. And yes, I got the Siskel & Ebert jokes and no, they weren’t funny. I’m also no fan of product placement either, but as long as it’s limited, I don’t mind it too much. But GODZILLA went way beyond the bounds of good taste. Just take for example the atrocious Madison Square Garden sequence. Unless you were blind, you couldn’t miss the barrage of ads by the film’s sponsors strategically placed into shots. I’m sorry, but product placement fails if it’s overdone. (I myself have more of a negative reaction to a product when it’s being shoved in my face.) You work it in as a part of the plot and never the focus. Because those who can’t clearly lack imagination. And speaking of this sequence, didn’t anyone else think the baby Godzilla’s all resembled Velociraptors a little too much? Resembled, please, they were exactly the same! In fact, this whole part played out like a scene from JURASSIC PARK. Well Mr. Emmerich and Mr. Devlin, I’ve seen JURASSIC PARK and I didn’t want to see it again.
After INDEPENDENCE DAY, I thought for sure that these two would be a filmmaking team not to be trifled with. After this abomination, they better get something else out better and quick or no one will remember their names. So my fellow movie buffs don’t even waste your time. This flick is a dud in the worst way.
