GODZILLA
RATING: 6 / 10 --> Barely recommendable
Review
Date:
May 20, 1998
Director:
Roland Emmerich
Writers:
Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich
Producer:
Dean Devlin
Actors:
Matthew Broderick as Nick
Tatopoulos
Hank Azaria as Animal
Jean Reno as Phillippe Roche
Genre:
Science-Fiction / Thriller
Year of Release: 1998
From the makers of INDEPENDENCE DAY (6.5/10) comes the umpteenth
remake of the original monster movie classic Godzilla. I believe
that there have been over sixty variations of this picture filmed
through its various mutations, but this one claims to be the one
that cost the most clams: $140 million worth.
PLOT:
Nuclear radiation turns an ordinary lizard into a gigantic
500-foot+ beast. The giant monster roams into New York City, and
consequently terrifies and squashes many of its
"innocent" inhabitants. The US military, along with a
nuclear radiation specialist (Broderick) are out to stop this
freakish abnormality from taking over. Mayhem and crazy special
effects ensue.
CRITIQUE:
"Been there, seen that" was my main reaction after the
conclusion of this film. This kind of picture may have been
incredibly inventive and original a few years back (think
JURASSIC PARK (7.5/10)), but now it's nothing more than a
rehashed carnival of special effects. Okay, admittedly the
special effects are still quite spectacular, taped alongside
their partnered action sequences, but the crust of any film still
lies in its overall story line, and this pie just doesn't have
much cream to it, boys and girls. Standard characters conveying
contrived movie feelings through icky standard dialogue. The
story is basically this: Monster bad. Kill monster. And that's
about it.
Other than that, the writers attempt to squeeze in another cheezy
romance between two bad actors (Broderick's career peaked and
ended at FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (8/10), give up the day job,
dude, you're done!), and a bunch of characters who have to
disagree with the theories of the "always-right"
scientist. Smack that all together, and you've got yourself
another special effects airball of a movie! By the way, is there
any reason why the President of the United States of America
didn't get involved in this giant beast's destructive path
through New York City, while the French secret service made this
mission their top priority in life?? (Okay, so they kind of
explain the French involvement, but where the heck was the Prez
through this unthinkable disaster??).
For movie fanatics, watch for the fun-poking of Siskel &
Ebert throughout the entire picture by the way of Mayor Ebert and
his assistant Gene. In the end, the film does lengthen itself out
by means of another standard monster flic scenario
("Someone" re-emerges. Guess who? Yawn.), and does end
with the perpetual open door to an obvious sequel, but that's
about it. If you're in the mood to see a crazy monster running
loose in New York City and nothing more, then check into this
movie. If you're looking for something more interesting and
original to watch, I suggest you skip this over-hyped puppy, and
warm your nachos for several other interesting salsas to come on
this summer's fiesta line-up of films.
Little Known Facts:
Jean Reno's real name is Juan Moreno. He was born in Casablanca,
Morocco.
Harry Shearer does the TV Simpsons' voices of Charles Montgomery
Burns, Waylon Smithers, Ned Flanders, Seymour Skinner, Otto Mann
and many others. Hank Azaria does the Simpsons' voices of Apu
Nahasapeemapetilon, Moe Szyslak, Police Chief Clancy Wiggum,
Comic Book Guy, Dr. Nick Riviera, and many others.
Matthew Broderick is married to fellow thespian Sarah Jessica Parker, and is known for being the original choice to play
Alex P. Keaton (later played delectably by Michael J. Fox) in
the long-running NBC sitcom Family Ties. Broderick declined the
proffered role, however, because his father was dying of cancer
in New York City at the time and the job would have necessitated
a move to Los Angeles.
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian