Godzilla

 
   What do Bryan Cranston, Julliette Binoche, David Strathairn, Ken Wantanabe, Sally Hawkins and Elizabeth Olsen all have in common?  Yes, they are all actors with serious acting credibilty and yes, they have all taken the money and ran for appearing in the newest remake of "Godzilla". Bryan Cranston plays a scientist who disappears from the movie before Godzilla even makes an appearance and Julliette Binoche plays his wife in a blink and she's gone moment. Ken Wantanabe and Sally Hawkins are scientists following the trail of the monsters but dont really do anything. Mr. Strathairn has the most screen time as an admiral commanding his fleet to shadow Godzilla as he swims from Toyko to San Francisco. And Ms. Olsen has the unfortunate sterotyped role of the worried wife and mother.
 
     The producers brought in these big guns to lure the public into thinking this was a serious monster movie. Well that's an oxymoron. What it really is, unfortunately, is a snorefest (except in Imax 3D, where the sound alone will keep you awake). The director, Gareth Edwards uses the "Spielberg" card by not revealing Godzilla to the audience until at least an hour into the film. Instead we get two strange looking monsters who eat radiation and are trying to find each other to mate.
 
     Godzilla has sprang from the ocean depths to prevent the other monsters from mating and then he leaves. That about sums up the plot. Much of Toyko and San Francisco get destroyed in the process (nice change from New York getting battered again).  Oh and I forgot to mention Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Mr. Cranston's son, Ford, who gets to globe hop at will chasing Godzilla too. 

      The CGI work is credible but Godzilla looks like he's put on a few pounds waiting for his remake. The 3D is wasted and while the fight scenes are fun in IMAX, there really isn't enough story here to keep you interested. Spoiler alert- I did enjoy how Godzilla kills the second monster.

   Yes, it was a man in a rubber suit but stick to the original.