Godzilla (2014) is a reboot of the iconic Japanese monster franchise Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards. This film is the first in Legendary Entertainmentโs MonsterVerse, which features giant monsters (kaiju) and their battles with humanity, and it serves as a reimagining of the original Godzilla character for a new generation of viewers.
The 2014 Godzilla film is set in a world where giant, prehistoric creatures, or kaiju, have existed for centuries. The plot follows the awakening of Godzilla, a massive and ancient creature, as it faces off against two other kaiju, MUTO (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism), which threaten global destruction.
The story is presented from the perspective of human characters, especially Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston), a scientist whose family was killed during a mysterious disaster involving a nuclear power plant in Japan years earlier. Joe becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the disaster, leading him to discover that the MUTO creatures have been awakened by human interference, and they are heading toward an inevitable clash with Godzilla.
Meanwhile, Ford Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Joeโs son, is a U.S. Navy bomb disposal expert, who is pulled into the events and tries to stop the kaiju. The worldโs militaries, including the U.S. and Japanese forces, are powerless against these massive creatures, and the battle between Godzilla and the MUTOs threatens to destroy cities.
As the story unfolds, the narrative focuses on Godzilla as a force of nature, battling to restore balance to the world, with the implication that the creature is not necessarily a villain but rather an ancient guardian of Earth.
The film received generally positive reviews, with many praising the special effects, the performances, and the more grounded and serious tone compared to some previous Godzilla films. However, some critics and audiences felt that the film focused too much on the human characters, with Godzilla himself not appearing enough on-screen.