Godzilla
It looks like it’s going to be a bad summer for New York. First the city finds itself inundated by a giant tidal wave in “Deep Impact.” In July, splinters of a comet smack into Manhattan in “Armageddon,” making the afternoon commute even more horrendous. Then there’s that giant green lizard. Born from ground zero of French nuclear testing in the Pacific, the lizard has a couple of days to kill before nesting, so why not take a bite out of the big apple. “Godzilla” is back, and if this is news to you, welcome back to Earth.
After more than 20 Toho treats (and men in rubber suits), the King of the Monsters gets the big-budget, big-screen treatment from the creative team of “Independence Day.” The results make for an epic dose of silliness and breathtaking visual effects. Despite a clunky script by producer Dean Devlin and director Roland Emmerich, “Godzilla” has a lot to recommend it. First and foremost is the 20-story title star, a computer generated effect so realistic it’s scary.
Designed and created by Patrick Tatopoulos, “Godzilla” becomes a living, breathing creature that can evoke both fear and sympathy. “Godzilla” starts off with a bang, literally, and then quickly cuts to a mid-sea attack on a Japanese freighter. Nasty bit of business that leaves only one survivor. Then there are those strange footprints dotting the Jamaican countryside.
The military is baffled, so they call in Dr. Niko Tatopoulos (Matthew Broderick), an expert on the effects of nuclear fallout. Tatopoulos immediately realizes what they’re dealing with, but that realization comes too late as “Godzilla” has already made his way to the Eastern seaboard. After taking three boats on a deep sea fishing expedition, “Godzilla” enters the city of Manhattan, and has no problem catching a cab.
The giant green guys sudden appearance is exactly what aspiring newscaster Audrey Timmonds (Maria Pitillo) needs to break in to prime time. It doesn’t hurt that Audrey was once Niko’s college sweetheart. With the military in tow, Niko arrives in Manhattan, ready to take on “Godzilla.” Unbeknownst to them, the lizard has nested in Madison Square Garden, where dozens of eggs wait to be hatched.
While the military forces do combat with “Godzilla” above ground, Niko, Audrey, her cameraman Animal (Hank Azaria), French agent Philippe Roache (Jean Reno) and his crew look under the city for the nest. They won’t like what they find. Designed for maximum thrills and excitement, “Godzilla” is the perfect summer popcorn movie.
It’s filled with dazzling special effects and engaging characters, both which go the distance to make the best out of mediocre screenplay. Thank goodness “Godzilla” moves along at a fast clip, because any lull in the action would allow the audience time to realize how silly most of it is. I really liked the film on a “gee whiz” level.
I found myself rooting for the good guys, and even felt a little sorry for “Godzilla” during the final few frames. It packs the same type of bang that made “Independence Day” such an enjoyable romp. Manhattan gets a workout, with some of the city’s most beloved landmarks taking a dive. Matthew Broderick is just super as Niko Tatopoulos (affectionately named after the creature’s designer), the scientist who can’t resist the opportunity to get up close and personal with “Godzilla.”
Jean Reno also shines as the French agent who hides his intentions from everyone but Niko. It’s a strong, solid role, the type that Reno excels in. Pitillo is pleasant as the eager journalist ready to reconcile her feelings for Niko, but not until she uses him to advance her career. Hank Azaria does an admirable job as the gonzo cameraman who learns early on not to stand in “Godzilla’s” way.
Emmerich directs with a sure hand, never once giving in to the camp appeal of the original Toho features. This “Godzilla” means serious business. Cinematographer Ueli Steiger manages to make New York even more menacing than it appears, capturing production designer Oliver Scholl’s cold, concrete world with a foreboding eye.
I especially appreciated David Arnold’s eerie score. Adults will appreciate the film’s in-jokes (the Mayor and his assistant are clones of film critics Siskel & Ebert) while teens and older children will marvel at the mass destruction and dazzling aerial battles that fill the screen. Oh yeah, there’s also that big green guy.
LEAPIN’ LIZARDS!
GODZILLA
Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Vicki Lewis, Michael Lerner, Harry Shearer, Doug Savant in a film directed by Roland Emmerich. Rated PG-13. 138 Min.
LARSEN RATING: $5
