[Sculpt]

I saw Godzilla at the IMAX theatre in 3D yesterday. Excellent and appropriate venue for the film. It cost $15! Most I've ever paid for a film, but I don't go to the theatre all that often anymore, nor the IMAX. So it's a special treat.

The film was solid, and the visuals and immersion was top notch.

It stayed true to Gojira/Godzilla orthodoxy, had a traditional Godzilla storyline, and at the same time manage to take a fresh perspective on the King of the Monsters.

I won't go into any spoilers at this point. Yes, there's some small details of the story I would "correct", but overall, it was a Godzilla movie experience. Like many modern "action" films, it lacked some character development particularly with the son/soldier, and as a result, lacked some heart. Also, it lacked a bit of the Japanese Kiaju spirit -- that is giving the kaiju's a fantasy film spirit and mythos.

Rating out of 10: 7/10

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Rise of the Planet of the Apes 2011

5/10


I must admit upfront, I'm not a fan of pet sized CG apes/monkeys. They are so difficult to do because the more human they are like the more OFF they are. So that will always be a thorn in my paw while watching CG attempts.

I thought it was just watchable. To me, it was contrived and lacked heart. I like most all of Franco's acting work, but I didn't really care about any character in this film. It was interesting to have Bonzo infect the other apes to make them smart, and lead them out... but there's where they drop the ball. If that had occurred at least at the 1/2 mark, it could have been part of the story -- the lot of the apes, the ramifications of personhood in the apes, what to do with them, the Exodus, the interaction with human society, the ape colony interaction -- so many interesting avenues. Instead, the smart apes break out and make for the woods, which makes sense, but why they were so quickly discovered and stopped by police on a bridge... it was really pointless (that is, the only reason was to make a battle sequence).

I think Conquest of the Planet of the Apes 1971 was a much more interesting and engaging film. I'll never forget the ape opening the Bible to Caesar for his name. I didn't mind the obvious allegories because the characters and story was so engaging.