Getting Godzilla's Roar Just Right

The end of this will make your day.


Godzilla: Behind the Roar from Dolby Laboratories on Vimeo.

Why God?(Zilla)

It wasn't just bad, it was late 90's -- when we were in love with VFX and story didn't mean shit -- bad.

More Than Meets The Eye

'Godzilla' is possibly the most anticipated movie of the year. Coming on the heels of a somewhat sarcastic web slinger, we're all in the mood for some depth, and Zilla delivers.

In this clip there are three strong character reveals and writer Max Borenstein (from a story by Dave Callaham) deserves a lot of credit for the power of this scene. Director Gareth Edwards handles the goings on nicely, but Borenstein came up with the goods and managed to establish a clear character within 90 seconds.

I'm assuming that, at this point in the movie, we have yet to see the monster, however this introduction leaves little doubt that Godzilla is a perceptive creature with clear motives whose actions will mean something to audiences.

Great hook.

Getting Repetitive

These new clips from 'Godzilla' are nice, beautiful really, and sell the movie well, but it's getting a tad repetitive. We're already sold. Footage is starting to look the same and, really, we don't want to see any new stuff.

Just take our money and show us the movie.

More Like An Award-Winning Indie

Yeah, here's yet another stunning trailer for Gareth Edwards' 'Godzilla' (with new footage). This movie looks so good, there's so much depth of character, it's more like an award-winning indie -- with CGI monsters.

This will probably be one of the best movies of the year.

That Classic 'RAWR'

Great Still

Everything from 'Godzilla' has been remarkable. It's clear Gareth Edwards has crafted a special movie. Even this still has a unique vibe. I love the fake optical flares, by the way.

New Footage In German 'Godzilla' Trailer

No, not the same new footage (foot stomp, etc.) as in the Japanese trailer(s) that came out today. New (new) footage.

At :04 and :18 seconds.

Introducing Godzilla's Most Hated Muto

Here's a look at Godzilla and the other monster from Gareth Edwards' reboot which, until now, we've only gotten a glimpse of -- Muto.

The money this movie is going to rake... How much do these action figures cost? Like, $20-40 a pop?

via CinemaBlend

So Damn Impressed -- Looking Forward to 'Godzilla 2'

Another beautiful trailer for 'Godzilla' this time with a great reveal about who Bryan Cranston's character is saying goodbye to behind that steel door and why.

So, a few more stunning visuals but, importantly, great story elements as well. This is so much better than mere 'monster movies' from years past and certainly not just another CGI-fest. On another level entirely -- a truly captivating fable.

Gareth Edwards' future work will be must-watch and, strange as it is to actually type these words, I can't wait for the sequel.

Giant Lizard Stomps Foot

I can't get over how damn good 'Godzilla' is looking. Hats off to Gareth Edwards. Wow.

Tension, Suspense, Heart, Soul

This trailer is emotionally affecting and visually beautiful -- how often can you say that about a monster movie? 'Godzilla' could be one of the most rewarding flicks of the year.

1 Or 2 Seconds More 'Godzilla' -- Must-See, Must-Hear

Here's the new UK trailer, which has some great new footage. It's only maybe 1 or 2 seconds total, but wow.  Maybe one new sound effect from Zilla, which is...convincing.

'Godzilla' is looking fantastic.

Oversimplified, Too Pretty

Usually, Mondo movie posters work because they boil graphics down to a fundamental level, then boost the contrast, saturate the colors, and hopefully (if it's possible) throw in visuals that represent thematic material from the plot. What we end up with is a dramatic, sharply cut poster that sells the movie well.

Mondo's designers did the same with the poster for 'Godzilla' but the result just doesn't work. Why is hard to say but, clearly, Zilla does not take well to being reduced to graphic elements.

It is pretty, though, to be sure, however 'pretty' doesn't fit with this monster. He's craggy, a tad ugly, and not that symmetrical. This is too balanced, too centered. I especially find the teeth and mouth to be too simplified. And, the total lack of an arm and hand with talons denies the lizard of threatening vibe -- a criminal thing. This guy reaches out and grabs things and this poster skips that aspect of his identity.

The base of flame doesn't click somehow. It's floral in a way, feminine too. It's like a painting by Georgia O'Keeffe. Like this flower. (I looked on two art websites but neither included the name of this painting so I gave up).

Here's the poster we got a few days back. It has much more sense of being there, a grittiness. I like the lack of symmetry, the messiness of it. There's also a feeling of movement, of catching Zilla mid-stride and the HALO jumpers in action. This is scarier, more dynamic and, yes, more conventional than Mondo's execution.

The Godzilla Zeitgeist -- or -- What's It Really About

Godzilla, to the Japanese, is an allegorical device that represents the force of nature reasserting its control over mankind. In its path, our armies are useless, our technology does us no good, and all that's left is our anger, our deflated arrogance, in the face of true power as we watch our world disintegrate. Yeah, it was a guy in a rubber suit stomping on little model cities shot in semi-slow-motion, and the kids loved it, but that's what it represented.

To be honest, I don't remember what Roland Emmerich's 1998 take was about. I think it boiled down to 'giant lizard tap dancing on NYC' but I'm drawing a blank. Saw the movie, don't remember. However, it's clear what this new 'Godzilla' is about. "Being sent back to the stone age," and "The arrogance of man is thinking nature is in our control and not the other way around," and "You have no idea what's coming."

We're just beginning to see the results of over populating the Earth and polluting our environment. The super storms, droughts, fires, polar vortices, dying oceans, melting ice, and now riots that pop up in a new city seemingly every week. These are the things we fear and, as it always was in the Japanese movies, this is what Edwards' movie is about. That lizard represents nothing more than the destruction which lies waiting around the next corner.

Bryan Cranston is the audience surrogate. When his character's voice cracks it's with the same emotion we feel when we read the latest horror story on the front page. His outbursts are ours, his rage belongs to us. This is a new 'Godzilla' for a generation facing extinction, or -- if that seems too dramatic, if that sounds like a stretch -- the end of civilization as we know it.

Very much looking forward to 'Godzilla'. VFX look tremendous, and it's worth noting that the trailer is engaging well before the first 'money' shot. We're hooked on this story, breathlessly waiting to see what might happen next, long before we see the first glimpse of the guy in the rubber suit.

Cranston Comes Undone

Well. There would seem to be some stress here.

Godzilla Dejected

New poster for 'Godzilla' has arrived and it's put together. I like how Zilla looks dejected. His back is turned, which is how the guy is portrayed in Japanese movies -- a reluctant anti-hero who must show mankind the folly of our ways, but feels we're not worthy of eye contact. He's not here to frighten us, bare his teeth at us, or even to look at us. His only concern is to get on with his work.

There's a timeless quality to this graphic.

By contrast, this all-American I-stomp-on-you approach for Roland Emmerich's 1998 version is uninspiring to say the least.

Big Lizard Trailer

These are being taken down by the second, so...