Okay, let’s get the transfer quality out of the way. It’s much better than what came before, but black levels still crush in some key moments of Godzilla, which simply hurts my soul. Why someone can’t get this right is beyond me. The clarity is still not there and, while the night scenes are a sharp improvement over the last time this film was put out, this transfer is still far too problematic for its own good. It makes appreciating Gareth Edwards’ work at home really, really hard . . .
. . . but the film remains a solid testament of Godzilla’s power.
Leave it to Godzilla to restore the balance as the world begins to warm up and go nuclear. That’s right the King of the Monsters returns! Again!
From Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, director Gareth Edwards (previously behind the wonderfully dazzling Monsters) presents audiences with a brand new Godzilla flick that honors the legendary Toho run of films and rewards viewers with a titanic monster vs monster smackdown in 3D.
Destroy All Monsters has been replaced. THIS – that’s right, the 2014 Godzilla – is THE kaiju movie to beat. Edwards, with grace and humor behind the camera (much like Spielberg in his younger years), adds his own twist to the creation of the famed monster but manages to never dismiss the original 1954 film. In fact, the story embraces the original with nods to the events in that film but adds a massive cover-up by the United States Government concerning the existence of the big lizard.
David Callaham (screenwriter of The Expendables) produces a straightforward no-nonsense story that teases Godzilla to build suspense before it rewards with an all-out assault against the multi-limbed and flying Mutos, all of which crave the nuclear energy that created them. It also – thanks to input from Frank Darabont – supports some solid characterization from the talents of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn, and Bryan Cranston.
But let’s face it, who really cares about the humans when gigantic monsters are attacking the city and only Godzilla can save us? The creatures sell the movie this time. The monster designs – especially in IMAX 3-D – are incredibly detailed and practically flawless as they bite, scratch, and attack each other, leveling cities and buildings just like in those Toho productions. In fact, Edwards’ movie feels a lot like one of the Toho Godzilla films (except there’s no rubber suit); it is that finely-tuned to what audiences want to see.
And, in the middle of the entire spectacle, Edwards brings out one of the best scenes involving humans risking life and limb to fight back the roar of nature (impossible, I know). A dangerous sunset military jump over San Francisco right into the lion’s den as beast battle beast is the highlight. The scene is beautifully choreographed and captured thanks to some sharp cinematography and a music selection of tonal voices that is eerily reminiscent of the choral voices used in Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. The men descend into a literal hell on earth and we plummet with them, reminded of the peril by aerial views and the wordless chorus.
I have seldom cheered at movies; this one had me cheering and applauding as the anti-hero restores the balance our meddling selves have created with all the neglected atomic age work. In no time at all, Godzilla goes from being a secret to a savior. You will be disappointed if you miss out on seeing this on the big, big screen and feeling every wrinkled minute of his familiar roar. Godzilla deserves to be a monster hit.
4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Edition
Home Video Distributor: Warner Bros.
Available on Blu-ray - March 23, 2024
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Spanish, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hungarian, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Swedish, Thai
Audio: English: Dolby Atmos; English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1; French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1; French: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1; German: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1; Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1; Czech: Dolby Digital 5.1; Hungarian: Dolby Digital 5.1; Polish: Dolby Digital 5.1; Thai: Dolby Digital 5.1
Discs: 4K Ultra HD; Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; region free
An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence..
VIDEO
While not a completely new transfer (which is probably what is needed in order to bring this film the depth and clarity it needs), Warner Brothers Home Entertainment uses the same 2K blu-ray for this release. It’s better, but this film is still a dark transfer. Some moments are still lost to the darkness of the shoot. Colors are more vibrant, for sure, but there are still moments of crushing thanks to the black on black moments. What is needed here is a completely new transfer.
AUDIO
The English Dolby Atmos track is EXPLOSIVE and brings all the channels roaring to life. Take the pictures down from the wall and crank it up. Rattle the bones of your house!
Supplements:
Commentary:
- None
Special Features:
The supplemental material is nicely organized but lacking in any real significance. Divided into two separate sections, the bonus material is about MONARCH’s early days and how the group first encountered Godzilla. The real behind-the-scenes stuff is contained in the second section. Cast and crew discuss everything from their thoughts on the King of Monsters to Edwards’ strengths behind the camera, with some delivering some surprising well-thought-out insights with special looks at the H.A.L.O. jump and the development of the M.U.T.O.s. If the actual transfer was better, I might actually be able to recommend picking up this release.
- Operation: Lucky Dragon (3 min)
- MONARCH: The M.U.T.O. File (4 min)
- The Godzilla Revelation (7 min)
- Godzilla: Force of Nature (19 min)
- A Whole New Level of Destruction (8 min)
- Into the Void: The H.A.L.O. Jump (5 min)
- Ancient Enemy: The M.U.T.O.s (7 min)
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Composite Blu-ray Grade
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MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime: 123 mins
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writer: Dave Callaham; Max Borenstein; Ishirô Honda
Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson; Elizabeth Olsen; Bryan Cranston
Genre: Horror | Sci-fi
Tagline:
Memorable Movie Quote: "Mommy, look. Dinosaurs."
Theatrical Distributor: Warner Bros.
Official Site:
Release Date: May 16, 2014
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: March 23, 2021.
Synopsis: In this gritty, realistic sci-fi action epic, Godzilla returns to its roots as one of the world's most recognized monsters. Directed by Gareth Edwards and featuring an all-star international cast, this spectacular adventure pits Godzilla against malevolent creatures that, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.
