[djsFlames]

Those saying there wasn't enough Godzilla don't know Gareth Edward's style (see Monsters), and perhaps don't realize what made movies like Jaws (build up to the full reveal and conflict at the end) and Jurassic Park (very little actual screen time for the mighty T-Rex, but the few appearances are so well placed and give it impact) greats. Today, too many monster flicks / CGI blockbusters show their cards too early and basically the 'goods' come at you like a shotgun shot to the face from start to finish. The problem with that is it numbs you to what you're seeing, and in turn there is little to no "wow" factor. Godzilla attempted to follow in the mould of the great pre-millenium monster films, and did a decent, but not perfect job of it. But truly FAR better than a large handful of what we've been given over the past number of years.

If there was more Godzilla early on, then his entrance wouldn't have been nearly as tremendous. The build up was well done IMO. Liked that the camera angles were from the point of view of bystanders, (with NO shaky cam) and made it so neat.. you know, rather than just panning out to watch the monsters fight for 20 minutes. Interesting cinematography and angles the whole way through.

The leads I thought were good and weren't over dramatic (minus Cranston, but that was his character), the others were fairly 'real' to the situation. If they start wailing their hands and screaming and yelling at what was happening it would be a little dumb and forced, I think they did it just right. Also, Aaron Taylor Johnson's character was in the army, while some may feel his performance was a bit wooden, he's likely been trained to keep his cool in such situations.. so if anything, it was fairly accurate. I still bought his feeling of being overwhelmed by the conclusion. Also you needed characters constantly in the midst of these creatures to see what was going on around them, but the focus most the time was on the creatures anyways. Would've loved more Cranston, but at least that was an unexpected twist.

All in all I absolutely loved it. Leaves us itching for more. And with the killing it's making at the box office, makes you wonder if a sequel is in store.

For those who didn't like it..judging by the consistent points many have made, you perhaps don't have an appreciation for the style/approach Edwards was going for. Which is fair, maybe you were looking for a different kind of monster movie. But I loved it and thought it gave a few tips of the hat to some of the classics with its build up approach, culminating in a truly awesome ending.

Will watch again!