GODZILLA 1998
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1998 Timothy Voon
3 :-) :-) :-) for the giant lizard
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Hank Azaria, Maria Pitillo, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner, Harry Shearer, Arabella Field Director: Roland Emmerich Producers: Dean Devlin Screenplay: Dean Devlin, Roland Emmerich
The thing that struck me most about this big monster movie was that it was thoroughly enjoyable – much more so than JURASSIC PARK or THE LOST WORLD, which I believe took itself much too seriously. With Godzilla, the experience was different, not merely special effects … okay a lot of it was special effects… somehow this monster is more intelligent and interesting than a silly T-Rex running through the streets, not to mention bigger in size.
There isn't a moment of boredom or tedium, with ongoing action and dialogue to keep the viewer hyper-stimulated throughout the entire movie experience. I can still hear the thumping of GODZILLA's big webbed feet ringing in my ears, the whale-like-moan he makes before appearing, the rattle of machine guns bouncing off concrete, the swish of flying missiles flying through the air, the burr of helicopter propellers with overheated engines, the screech of tyres skidding across the wet landscape, the screams of numerous pedestrians trodden to death, the shrillness of glass shattering as GODZILLA strolls past central park.
Are you getting the picture?
There is a plot, a reasonable one, although very much over the top fantastic. Godzilla the giant aberrant mutation, is the result of nuclear experimentation and so indirectly man made. He's the guy you've come to see, and so overshadows the otherwise extremely well chosen cast. Matthew Broderick as the weedy, geeky scientist, Jean Reno is wonderfully humorous as the French secret agent, Hank Azaria is colourful as a very American-Italian cameraman. But let's face it you came to see the big guy have it out with the US airforce, navy and army and what a wonderful spectacle it is. So just sit back and enjoy the commotion.
Let's face it – size does matter.
Timothy Voon
e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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