Sunday, 25 May 2014

5 Reasons Godzilla 3D is a Modern Classic!


5 Reasons Godzilla 3D is a Modern Classic! 


Review by Timothy Austin

I was not expecting much from the 2014 remake of Godzilla based on the original Japanese films about a giant reptile threatening the existence of humanity.  The 1998 remake starring a talent-deficient Matthew Broderick left a bitter taste in my mouth as it was written for the brain dead.  I was hesitant about this new take on the story, but thankfully I was proven wrong.  Thanks to awe-inspiring 3D visual effects, an ingenious script and clever direction, this Godzilla will in later years be seen as a truly modern classic.  Here are 5 reasons why you should ABSOLUTELY see this film NOW:   

1. Breaking Bad Actor brings A-Game – It’s no secret that what these remakes of popular science fiction films require is an amazing actor to ground the film with a solid performance.  Immensely popular actor, Brian Cranston from ‘Breaking Bad,’ does this for the 2014 remake of Godzilla.  Cranston gives a heart-breaking performance as a scientist destroyed by the death of his wife after a nuclear plant disaster.  I won’t say what caused the disaster to avoid any spoilers but Cranston is very good in these scenes.  He gives Godzilla the sort of emotional performance that balances the fantastic supernatural events that come later in the film.  It’s a remarkable performance and Cranston deserves more credit for giving this film exactly what it needed.

He is aided well by Aaron Taylor-Johnson who plays his son and a Lieutenant who comes face to face with the creature.  Taylor-Johnson also provides a stalwart performance and is quite effective as the film’s main hero along with Elizabeth Olsen who provides emotional heft as his wife.  If you do a double take thinking she looks like a younger version of the Olsen Twins, it’s for good reason since she is their younger sister and a fine actor who avoids over-the-top emotions.     





2. Extraordinary direction – What I particularly liked about this film is that it surprises you at every turn.  Godzilla is not your usual ‘monster trashes city’ film and this is mostly due to the brilliant direction of Gareth Edwards, best known for his critically acclaimed film ‘Monsters’. There are moments when there is no music or distinctive sound, just jaw-dropping visuals in slow motion which gives the scene an operatic grandeur that few science fiction films can achieve.  The stylized on-screen violence is remarkable and more impressive than anything seen on film in recent memory. Gareth deserves more recognition for a truly visually stunning film, brilliant new take on the creature’s story-line and overall fantastic production.


3. Godzilla is handsome!  The film that is; the new incarnation of the creature is in fact more foreboding than any previous versions and is far superior to the lacklustre 1998 remake.  Everything in this film looks and sounds amazing especially the 3D visual effects which have some stand out moments during the ferocious battles with the creature.  It’s hard to describe how incredible the visuals are without spoilers since one of the key visual effects moments involves a surprise story-line that should not be revealed until you see the film.  Close ups of the creature reveal a wet, scaly texture created by some truly astonishing effects that are made even more vivid by the 3D visuals.  I particularly liked the stunning vistas of Japan and the effects employed to create the San Francisco Bridge as well as the amazing skyline shots of the city.  As the city is levelled during the climactic battle scenes the 3D visual effects go into overdrive with some truly jaw-dropping moments of awe.  


Film music composer Alexandre Desplat also deserves credit for a truly terrifying orchestral score that avoids the overused Hans Zimmer inspired soundtrack and instead utilizes brassy bombast that harkens back to the days of John William’s ‘Jaws’ and Bernard Hermann’s most foreboding music for Alfred Hitchcock films. I particularly liked the solo French horn that accompanied Godzilla’s reptilian-like movements.  You can actually close your eyes, listen to the music, and see the terrifying actions of the creature.

4. Absolutely brilliant script!  Indeed I walked into Godzilla not expecting much and got quite a lot.  This is mostly due to a well written script that unleashes a barrage of surprises.  I must emphasize again that this is not your usual ‘monster vs. humans’ story-line.  There are many jaw-dropping story twists that occur particularly in the first hour that fans of science fiction and action/horror will enjoy.  There are also sprinkles of light comedy including a hilarious line by veteran actor Ken Watanabe that is nostalgic of the original films.  I will not lead into any spoilers but with much enthusiasm I recommend this film particularly for its cleverly written script. The stunning climatic battle alone is worth the 3D ticket price!



5. Stays true to the original! Even if you have never seen the original Japanese film by the Toho film company, Godzilla is an indelible pop culture phenomenon that every film fan is familiar with and this film pays homage to the original.  While much is done to make Godzilla look strikingly realistic, you can see where the filmmakers attempted to make the creature look like the Japanese original especially in the face and with the creature’s gestures.   Fans of the franchise will relish this; although it’s a far cry from ‘the man in the rubber suit’, you hear the distinct Godzilla battle cry and many of the ‘skyscraper destruction’ scenes are reminiscent of the original.  However, without a doubt this is the best incarnation of the popular monster and is easily recommended for any movie fan seeking giant-sized enjoyment at the movies.


Ratings: ****1/2 out of 5  

Review by Timothy Austin

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Sunday, 4 May 2014

5 Reasons Amazing Spiderman 2 is a MUST-SEE!



5 Reasons Amazing Spiderman 2 is a MUST-SEE! 

By Timothy Austin




1.      Stone and Garfield are pure gold!  As in the original film, Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker/Spiderman) and Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy) have an amazing chemistry that translates well on screen.  In this sequel the real-life couple cranks up their amazing quirky appeal and audiences will surely notice how genuine their attraction seems.  It’s hard to believe that the couple is following a script as their dialogue seems all too real.  The film makers seem to relish their on screen chemistry as long portions of the film are dedicated to the struggle Peter has with fighting crime and putting Gwen at risk of his enemies discovering their relationship.  Indeed, what this new Spiderman franchise will long be remembered for is the amazing romantic appeal of Garfield and Stone.  



2.       Jamie Fox makes a good bad guy.  Of course most fans of the series and of Oscar winner Jamie Fox were eager to see his performance as popular comic book villain, Electro.  While I expected the villain’s motivation to become evil to be more substantial, Fox delivers an amazing performance as a nerd obsessed with Spiderman who, through an accident involving exposure to massive amounts of electricity, becomes a super villain capable of frying those who oppose him with a single electrical bolt.  Fox is quirky and amusing as the nerd and following the transformation becomes foreboding and menacing speaking in a deep, darker tone aided well by stunning visual effects.  Fox is truly captivating as Electro. 



3.       Special effects extravaganza. The true mark of a super hero/comic book film is its special effects and Amazing Spiderman 2 does not disappoint.  From the sweeping vistas of Spiderman swinging from skyscrapers to Electro’s colourful bursts of electrical energy, the film makers seemed to have spared no expense to ensure that the film looks, sounds and feels extraordinary.  What I particularly liked about this sequel is the new camera angles used as Spidie swings into action and the audience is able to see the streets below and gigantic buildings from the hero’s point of view.  It creates an amusement park –like experience and allows the audience to feel the rush and excitement of the scene.  Though the battle scenes between Electro and Spiderman have a video game-like appearance with fast, kinetic movements that can be dizzying at times, overall the action sequences are visually stunning.  



4.       Garfield is still better than MacGuire -  Few will argue that Andrew Garfield is the best Spiderman to date and his winning streak continues in this sequel with his suave, yet quirky take on the ‘web slinger’.  While Tobey MacGuire offered a nerdy, boy-next-door quality, Garfield is heroic, yet relatable with zany one-liners used to insult the many villains he faces in this sequel.  I was hesitant about the number of villains in this entry overwhelming the story line and taking the attention away from the hero.  After all, the last Super hero film which featured three villains was the gigantic flop Batman and Robin in which over-the-top villains stole the spotlight.  However, thanks to a truly well written script, Peter Parker remains at the forefront of the story with Electro being his main challenge while other villains The Rhino (an hilarious Paul Giamatti) and the Green Goblin  (Dane DeHaan from the Sci-fi film Chronicle) merely make brief cameos and appear just to set up the plot for the evitable third sequel.  Garfield is allowed to soar and takes full advantage of his poignant moments with Emma Stone and Sally Field returning as his aunt May. 



5.       Shocking climax that will leave audiences floored (no spoilers).  While I will not say what happens in the final climatic battle between Electro, Spiderman and another villain who makes a surprise appearance, I will warn that what happens at the end of this sequel is something few super hero movies would attempt.  I was completely floored by the sudden turn of events and even heard audible gasps from the other audience members as few expected the writers to go for such a shocking end.  I will say that the final battle is spectacular with a large scale showdown between Fox and Garfield executed brilliantly with amazing special effects aided well by a pulsating soundtrack by Hans Zimmer.  What I particularly like about this sequel is the strong writing which creates a perfect balance between the super human battles and poignant relationships between Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Aunt May.  Sally Field is memorable as Peter’s main confidant and grounds the film with emotional heft.  While I felt some of the emotional scenes seemed a bit too long, the overall mix of spectacular action, romance and poignant story –telling makes this sequel one of the best super hero films in recent memory with a memorable ending that audiences will be talking about for years.  





Review by Timothy Austin

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