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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As "gigantic monster reptile attacks New York" movies go, you've got to admit that Godzilla delivers the goods, although its critical drubbing and box-office disappointment were arguably deserved. It's a shameless, uninspired crowd pleaser that's content to serve up familiar action with the advantage of really fantastic special effects, and if you expect nothing more you'll be one among millions of satisfied customers. There's really no other way to approach it--you just have to accept the fact that Independence Day creators Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin are unapologetic plagiarists, incapable of anything more than mindless spectacle that can play in any cinema in the world without dubbing or subtitles. The whole movie plays out like a series of highlights stolen from previous blockbusters of the 1990s; it's little more than a rehash of the Jurassic Park movies. The derivative script is so trivial that it's unworthy of comment, apart from a few choice laughs and the casting of Michael Lerner as New York's mayor, whose name is Ebert and who closely resembles a certain well-known movie critic. Perhaps that's a clever hint that this movie's essentially critic-proof. It's stupid but it's fun, and for most audiences that's a fitting definition of mainstream Hollywood entertainment. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Matthew Broderick and Hank Azaria star in this 1998 film about the large reptile.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 100 people found the following review helpful
By Mojo Jojo
Format:DVD
Okay, I know this is going to be a highly disputed opinion, but I think this movie is very, very good. Great, I'd even daresay. And I am a Godzilla fan. I love the Big Guy from his early masterworks to his campy mid-period to his new thrilling outings.
Admittedly, this is not the same Godzilla. But Godzilla himself is a product of the 50s fascination with giant monsters, and this movie is really just an homage to all those old, great monster movies. Anyway, I don't see why the universe isn't big enough for two Godzillas.
A lot of fans hated this just for the idea. But Tristar had to make a new version. The old version would've flopped in America. In fact, Godzilla 2000 came out about a year later, and it did terrible. So where were those so-called fans when he really needed them? I submit that there really aren't that many Godzilla fans. There's plenty of people who claim to be, but do they really like him or these types of films? Doesn't seem like it.
Onto the movie. First there's Godzilla. He's a terrific special effect. Some people say he doesn't look real. He looks pretty darn impressive to me. Realism is a rather silly complaint when you're talking about a giant lizard running through New York.
The story is deceptively simple. You could boil it down to Army vs. Monster, but there's a creativity here that gets overlooked. The characters (all of whom are well-developed especially considering none are the real star) are all likable. Their motivations are believable. And their story arcs are solidly connected to the central conflict in a way that doesn't seem forced.
The action sequences are wonderful. I like to think of them as monstrous versions of great kung fu showdowns.... Read more ›
Admittedly, this is not the same Godzilla. But Godzilla himself is a product of the 50s fascination with giant monsters, and this movie is really just an homage to all those old, great monster movies. Anyway, I don't see why the universe isn't big enough for two Godzillas.
A lot of fans hated this just for the idea. But Tristar had to make a new version. The old version would've flopped in America. In fact, Godzilla 2000 came out about a year later, and it did terrible. So where were those so-called fans when he really needed them? I submit that there really aren't that many Godzilla fans. There's plenty of people who claim to be, but do they really like him or these types of films? Doesn't seem like it.
Onto the movie. First there's Godzilla. He's a terrific special effect. Some people say he doesn't look real. He looks pretty darn impressive to me. Realism is a rather silly complaint when you're talking about a giant lizard running through New York.
The story is deceptively simple. You could boil it down to Army vs. Monster, but there's a creativity here that gets overlooked. The characters (all of whom are well-developed especially considering none are the real star) are all likable. Their motivations are believable. And their story arcs are solidly connected to the central conflict in a way that doesn't seem forced.
The action sequences are wonderful. I like to think of them as monstrous versions of great kung fu showdowns.... Read more ›
20 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Antonio
Format:Blu-ray
The 1080p Video:
'Godzilla's 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer, in its original 2.39: 1 aspect ratio, is actually fairly solid. This isn't the knock-it-out-of-the-park home video presentation some might be expecting, but it's a perfectly fine transfer in its own right. (Especially of a movie I have no intention of ever, ever, EVER watching again.)
The movie is drenched in persistent rain, which adds a blurry, oppressive look to the entire film. While there is a fair amount of grain on the transfer (more than you'd expect for a relatively recent film), sometimes it became unclear whether or not the image was muddled or grainy or if it was just the added element of rain.
That said, other aspects of the transfer fare better. There are no wonky technical issues, skin tones look good, detail is heightened, and blacks are deep and dark.
The only other major problem has nothing to do with the crispness of the image, but rather the newly presented high definition presentation, in which the visual effects (of which there are many) look even lousier. Watch those baby Godzillas bouncing around Madison Square Garden and you'll wish Ray Harryhausen had slapped the filmmakers.
Now The Audio:
On the other hand, the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is truly impressive. Literally from the opening frame, when the dirigible in the logo for Emmerich and Devlin's Centropolis Films production shingle flies through your living room, you'll know you're in for a treat.... Read more ›
'Godzilla's 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer, in its original 2.39: 1 aspect ratio, is actually fairly solid. This isn't the knock-it-out-of-the-park home video presentation some might be expecting, but it's a perfectly fine transfer in its own right. (Especially of a movie I have no intention of ever, ever, EVER watching again.)
The movie is drenched in persistent rain, which adds a blurry, oppressive look to the entire film. While there is a fair amount of grain on the transfer (more than you'd expect for a relatively recent film), sometimes it became unclear whether or not the image was muddled or grainy or if it was just the added element of rain.
That said, other aspects of the transfer fare better. There are no wonky technical issues, skin tones look good, detail is heightened, and blacks are deep and dark.
The only other major problem has nothing to do with the crispness of the image, but rather the newly presented high definition presentation, in which the visual effects (of which there are many) look even lousier. Watch those baby Godzillas bouncing around Madison Square Garden and you'll wish Ray Harryhausen had slapped the filmmakers.
Now The Audio:
On the other hand, the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is truly impressive. Literally from the opening frame, when the dirigible in the logo for Emmerich and Devlin's Centropolis Films production shingle flies through your living room, you'll know you're in for a treat.... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By P. Oh
Format:DVD
I actually enjoyed this movie quite a bit. 2 key things is to (1) forget about the original Godzilla which this is not and understandably has upset Godzilla fans - think of this as something entirely separate (2) view this movie in Dolby Digital Surround Sound. Its Amazing and significantly enhances the film. When seen in this light the movie is a lot of fun, with good acting killer special effects.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
While I watched some of the Japanese Godzilla movies I was obviously also excited to see this big Budget production from Hollywood.
+ Godzilla looks more realistic than in those Japanese budget productions
+ Storyline...who cares. As long as there is lots of destruction ;-)
- Fun: Less trashy movie. But to be honest. That's why I watch the Japanese versions.
So, as a summary: Entertaining, but no positive surprises at all.
+ Godzilla looks more realistic than in those Japanese budget productions
+ Storyline...who cares. As long as there is lots of destruction ;-)
- Fun: Less trashy movie. But to be honest. That's why I watch the Japanese versions.
So, as a summary: Entertaining, but no positive surprises at all.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
For the longest time, I have been a Godzilla fan. I have every movie, lots of toys, books and a few video games. I feel like Godzilla has grown up with me. I remember being so happy that Hollywood was going to make an american Godzilla movie. I thought the movie was in good hands with guys who made Independence Day (one of my favortie alien movies). But when the film came out, I was really disappointed with the results.
Even as a kid, I knew the monster in this film was NOT Godzilla! Everybody knows the reasons why at this point. From being smaller and being weaker than the real Godzilla. They also tried to make him realistic by taking away his atomic fire and not making him indestructible. Those are what made Godzilla in the first place! Instead we get some movie with a giant lizard running around getting hurt and laying eggs! This film was not true to Godzilla nor toward the sprit of the films. The old films had aliens, other monsters and more. This film doesn't even come close to Godzilla standards at all. Instead, the film tries to be a poor mans version of Jurrasic Park. Many elements are clear such as the design of "Godzilla", the foot stomping effects and most noticably the baby zilla raptors. It's clear that this film wanted to be more like Jurrasic Park than Godzilla. But what really ruined this movie for me was the ending. I don't want to spoil it, but if your a G fan like me; this will be a big insult to you and to Godzilla. There is no way in heck Godzilla would go out the way he did! It makes it worse when the people in the movie actually cheer for his fate as if the filmmakers were trying to capture that ID4 victory scene again. As a kid, it always made me angry how they treated "Godzilla" in this film.... Read more ›
Even as a kid, I knew the monster in this film was NOT Godzilla! Everybody knows the reasons why at this point. From being smaller and being weaker than the real Godzilla. They also tried to make him realistic by taking away his atomic fire and not making him indestructible. Those are what made Godzilla in the first place! Instead we get some movie with a giant lizard running around getting hurt and laying eggs! This film was not true to Godzilla nor toward the sprit of the films. The old films had aliens, other monsters and more. This film doesn't even come close to Godzilla standards at all. Instead, the film tries to be a poor mans version of Jurrasic Park. Many elements are clear such as the design of "Godzilla", the foot stomping effects and most noticably the baby zilla raptors. It's clear that this film wanted to be more like Jurrasic Park than Godzilla. But what really ruined this movie for me was the ending. I don't want to spoil it, but if your a G fan like me; this will be a big insult to you and to Godzilla. There is no way in heck Godzilla would go out the way he did! It makes it worse when the people in the movie actually cheer for his fate as if the filmmakers were trying to capture that ID4 victory scene again. As a kid, it always made me angry how they treated "Godzilla" in this film.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Surprised I'm taking the time to say this...
I typically will remain silent and "move on" rather than take the time to generate a "bad" review. This movie just disappoints in ways and at a level that most movies cannot. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Robert D. Johnson
3.0 out of 5 stars
tongue in cheek movie
not to be taken seriously in the least. it is a throw back to the B movies that produced the wonderfully corny Godzilla movies from the 60's. Read more
Published 5 days ago by M. Nieves
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Movie
Godzilla is an excellent movie. I just recently purchased the DVD, (I already had the VHS version), for a 2 year old and he loves the movie as well. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Vincent Dotson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a bad movie. Why does everyone hate it?
I think this movie is such a good movie. If I never first saw the movie when I was a littl kid, I would never knew who Godzilla really is. Read more
Published 10 days ago by YakkoWarnerMovies101
1.0 out of 5 stars
Amzingly bad
This sums up the entire movie: When actors and directors are oblivious to how the human body works (ears, in this case), they have no business being in the business. Read more
Published 14 days ago by J MAINE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oldie but a Goodie
Gotta love the good old days... :) Excellent quality! Could not be any more pleased with the quality of the movie.
Published 14 days ago by Sean
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best
Godzilla movie ever. I don't care what these (one star critics) say. It is quite obvious they don't know what they are talking about. Godzilla looks like it really could exist. Read more
Published 15 days ago by K. Harper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Campy fun
This movies is a roller coaster. Parts action, parts thrills and parts funny. The actors are all good and the monster is crafty. I will say I was sad to see the fate of Godzilla.
Published 18 days ago by D. Hatfill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Movie
Love this movie, have grandson who loves dino's, excellent movie for him. Matthew Brodrick, is the best actor, beside's godzilla...
Published 19 days ago by Myra
1.0 out of 5 stars
Oh No! Godzirra!
WTF! This is not how I remembered Godzilla. They completely ruined the entire idea of Godzilla. There are so many things that are wrong I couldn't believe it. Read more
Published 19 days ago by pleasedie1979
