Stunning monster spectacle held back by thin characters and scarce Godzilla time.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Godzilla is broadly positive, with most reviewers welcoming it as a satisfying and visually impressive reboot of the franchise. Critics most commonly praised the film's large-scale visual spectacle, detailed CGI, and its ability to evoke a sense of awe, with several noting director Gareth Edwards' restrained, tension-building approach as a strength. The most consistent criticism was that Godzilla himself has limited screen time and that the human characters are underdeveloped or poorly acted, leaving some viewers feeling the story lacks cohesion. A minority of reviewers also felt the film takes itself too seriously given its premise.
5 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 15 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
The battle scenes are terrific. The scale is massive, the CGI is super detailed and the Kaiju artwork is really fucking cool. The 3D isn't the best, but the super wide shots are superbly choreographed to show how puny humans are, and you'll get the best experience in 2D.
Top critic
Film review ·
Godzilla himself has weight, literally and figuratively. Can someone give this force of nature the film he deserves?
Top critic
Film review ·
...a film whose only redeeming feature is that Binoche and Cranston shoulder part of its acting line-up – but just partly. Taylor-Johnson and Olsen cringingly pale before the big man, and that is despite the fact that Godzilla is nowhere in the picture (literally) in the first half.
Film review ·
Viewers looking for wall-to-wall mayhem along the lines of Roland Emmerich's bloated 1998 version will be disappointed. But those who savour an immersive visual spectacle will likely go ooh-aah in the presence of the freshly-minted Godzilla.
Film review ·
Those who have seen previous avatars of this scaly beast will immediately reconnect with that sense of speechlessness and rapt awe they felt when they saw Godzilla in their childhood. Godzilla's roar is not for the faint-hearted. This is a fantastic homage to monster movies of yore and is bound to go down as a modern classic. Go Godzilla!
Film review ·
Godzilla is a smashing summer blockbuster and it holds not qualms about playing up that card.
Film review ·
Director Gareth Edwards delivers a satisfactory reboot of the iconic monster movie!
Film review ·
A film that is about Godzilla needs no more reasons. Watch it for the reboot and the changes that have been brought in the film, and the resized monster.
Film review ·
If you are an ardent fan of Godzilla, you wouldn't mind dropping everything to see him roar and annihilate his foes.
Film review ·
Giftwrapped in an emotional father-son and family bonding story that hooks you on the sensitivity graph, "Godzilla" doesn't give anybody time to be endearing or sarcastic or human in any way. It is a conundrum of a techno-thriller and a fabled nightmare put together.
Film review ·
There is only so much you can do if you are going to make film like Godzilla and Edwards vision is as good as it can get. As a Godzilla film, it gives you enough bangs for your bucks.
Film review ·
Fans of the original (the 1954 one and the Japanese iterations) will find much to enjoy and appreciate about how many elements this movie manages to sneak in from there. However those new to ride, might be left scratching their heads as to all the hoopla. It's a handsomely mounted spectacle filled with visceral razzle-dazzle but lacking cohesion and logic.
Film review ·
We're not bombarded with excessive CGI here. Godzilla isn't oversold, although for some, his lack of screentime won't be satisfying enough. However, the balance between the family-focused story line and intense action sequences is bound to please others.
Film review ·
You've got a film about a giant mutated lizard walking on twos and supposedly this biped super reptilian is to fight EMP firing monsters to save the day for humanity. A film with that story can't take itself so seriously.
Film review ·
Godzilla has long deserved a movie like this Godzilla. It's not a typical monster movie and is possibly the best of its kind in recent times. But don't go in expecting all-out action. If you are willing to enjoy the tension, the slow burning build-up before the action-packed climax and are willing to see a fresher take on the subject, you will want to watch this one, possibly more than once.
Film review ·
While the predictable sequel has not yet been confirmed, one thing is clear: Edwards' version of Godzilla remains the ultimate monster movie. The legacy has been upheld.
Film review ·
Strikingly shot by Seamus McGarvey to maximize the movie's Imax potential (it's hard to imagine the scale and depth of the gritty visuals on anything smaller), Godzilla demands, and often achieves, a sense of awe.
From our readers
3 ratings · user score 8.0
Godzilla. If you loved Godzilla version of 1998, then this Godzilla will tell you loved a fake Godzilla. In this 2014 version, Godzilla returns in its pure ancient form where he is quite distant in size and behavior from lost race of dinosaurs. This movie works because it's a sincere cocktail of monstrous beasts, their fights, illusion of humans that they can control the nature, heroism of Godzilla, right amount of suspense, drama and emotional connect through well etched characters. First half is a bit slow, takes its time to create the felling of danger but second half makes sure that you do not blink your eyes otherwise you can miss the finest CGI effects done for a monster movie. The noisy roar mixed with emotionless eyes of Godzilla helps establishing Godzilla as the ruthless hunter. I am going with fantastic 8 out of 10 for Godzilla. If you are already fan of this monster then you can't afford to miss it. If you are first timer then you would end up being a fan.
Rather its more real than pacific rim while the fun part is less. CG is pretty good and acting part is alright. Gareth Edwards' Godzilla satisfyingly restores the franchise's fire-breathing glory.Drama part is better and doesn't lose its pace.
Credits
Aaron Taylor-JohnsonLieutenant Ford Brody
Elizabeth OlsenElle Brody
Juliette BinocheSandra "Sandy" Brody
Bryan CranstonJoe Brody
Ken WatanabeDr Ishiro Serizawa, a scientist
Sally HawkinsDr Vivienne Graham, a scientist who works alongside Serizawa
David StrathairnAdmiral William Stenz
Gareth Edwards
Thomas Tull
Jon Jashni
Mary Parent
Max Borenstein
David Callaham
Alexandre Desplat
Seamus McGarvey
Bob DucsayEnglish films like Godzilla
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