Quirky Ideas

I have created yet another page for this blog, and is aptly named "Quirky Ideas". It is simply a space where I will write about the projects and plans I think are worth recreating or that I make up myself. I know that it can be hard to find a DIY project to do and practical gifts for others can be tricky. I strongly support creativity and practicality. I hope I can provide an array of options that will be fun, affordable and useful.

Godzilla

On Friday, I joined my friends to see ‘Godzilla’ in 3D. It doesn’t fall under the genres I would usually pay to watch, however I was open to viewing a modern spin on a classic story. And now, my brief review of the film.

The opening of the film begins with an investigation into the find of a giant underground cave. The writers and producers wasted no time ensuring the beginning did not lag; there was action immediately, preparing the audience for an intense film. Some people would be unimpressed by an introduction that doesn’t ease the viewer into the film. In this case, this was the subtlest way to ease into the film, and it also breaks convention. The opening also served to provide a thorough backstory, yet this was not abused, revealing the vital details upon which the rest of the film would be based.

As attention switches to the Brody family, who reside in Japan, at the centre of the film, I appreciated the small exploration into the theme of family, as it reoccurs throughout the rest of the film. I did, however, find the scene where Brody’s mother, Sandra, was so close to escaping the nuclear cloud with the collapse of the Janjiro nuclear plant, but had to be trapped inside the tube, to be slightly overdramatic. It should be realised that it is to emphasize the loss, especially with young Ford watching the collapse of the nuclear plant from his classroom.

Flash-forward 15 years, Ford Brody has grown up, married and had a son. He and his family live in America, and it’s from there Ford is requested to bail his father, Joe, out of jail for trespassing on the fenced-off land where the explosion happened.

Conflict ensues as Ford struggles to believe his father’s claims and investigations into the strange occurrences surrounding the nuclear accident. This conflict morphs to end up between the Brody’s and authorities, and continues to build until one of the beasts, a MUTO (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism), that the authorities had been keeping under control and examination, bursts free. Ford’s father was correct about all of his assumptions. Unfortunately, in the chaos of the MUTO escaping, Ford’s father is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, falling from a collapsing metal scaffold. Ford, a returned EOD, finds himself assisting the armed forces as he is recruited gradually back in to bring down the MUTO.

[The rest of the review will be brief as much of the film now revolves around the continuous struggle against three immense beasts]

From roughly between one-third to half way through the film, it is realised there are two of the MUTO beasts: one female and one male. It is also during this that the hero, or hero in disguise, Godzilla, is introduced. A mad rush and fluttering of humanity-saving decisions are made and executed by various governmental authorities. (I won’t disclose the ending and ruin it for any who are yet to watch the film)

While this movie is a remake of a classic, and is intended to be an action film, any artistic work will inevitably explore a number of issues. Particularly evident in this adaptation of ‘Godzilla’ is again family, humanity and our ability to handle crisis. It definitely shows, as humans, we are not in control of everything that happens on this planet. Regardless of our species being the intellectual superiors and dictators of order, there are still many things in existence that we cannot control. There are also creatures that maintain their own natural order, without the influence of humans, as shown by Godzilla and the MUTOs.

A particularly noticeable aspect of the film is the utter destruction of cities and the helpless air enveloping the human race. With the two MUTOs destroying anything in front of them, and Godzilla careless of the puny terrestrial world he traverses, it would seem by the end of the film that the majority of the northern hemisphere has been reduced to rubble. It would be an impossible task to create a death toll of the number of humans estimated to have been “killed” in the film since so many buildings are crushed or collapsed.

The writers and producers have done an incredible job at ensuring there is noticeable tension for the audience, to realise the die situation of three uncontrollable beasts, yet it doesn’t breech the line of unrealistic. Sure, it is a surreal realm that has never been experienced, but there is an amount of realism that is required for a film, regardless of absurdity, and within this film it doesn’t give the impression of being over the top.

With Ford Brody being a recently returned EOD and finding himself drawn into assisting with the crisis, it appears to be good fortune when he continuously escapes multiple fatal accidents. Most of the others around him are killed or are unfortunately sucked into the destruction. It would seem slightly more believable if he suffered even a few cuts and bruises. It is made up for by the end where we see Brody with a crutch under one arm to support an injured leg.

As a concept, it isn’t grand. It doesn’t have epiphany-inducing themes. It focuses mainly on the story upon which it was based, upon the action, fear and anticipation of the beasts that can’t be tamed. It relies heavily on overwhelming shots, action sequences and immense structures. The proportion of the crisis is meant to dominate, and the vague science behind it provides it with the minimal credibility it needs to be “real” enough and to be convincing. But while it isn’t an “Ender’s Game” style sci-fi, it is a blockbuster-style sci-fi that is intended to be grand visually, and it most certainly accomplished that. I was able to appreciate the struggles of humanity to handle the chaos that seems to increase exponentially.

“Godzilla” is a film for those wanting action, conflict, human struggle and incredible monsters that are unpredictable.