I think this due to be released in theaters a little later this month. But I have a question.

Does anyone honestly think this looks good?

I know sometimes trailers are misleading... but the trailer for this does nothing to make me think this won't be a complete train wreck.

I know it would take a hell of an effort the make a film worse than the last Godzilla film, but...

Anyone planning on checking this one out? Does the trailer give you the same impression?

I thought the teaser trailer was really well done.  The full trailer not so much (the Breaking Bad guy sounded whiny to me) but still I'm pretty interested to see it.

I've got a screening on Wednesday to see this, hopefully will be good!

Early impressions are saying the film is extremely well done.  Constructed with enough restraint to show only glimpses of the titular monster in the early going, keeping the tension and intrigue high throughout - and then letting loose with a barrage of satisfyingly high-octane climaxes.  It's a throwback to the 1954 original in all the best ways. 

A bit more mixed is the human drama; there's apparently some big emotional ideas throughout, but the payoffs on that front come off as a bit clunky.  Cranston appears to have the meatiest role.

I'm most curious in checking out the cinematography.  Everyone agrees that director Gareth Edwards has done impressive camera work, with archival-esque footage and well-calculated shots to sell both the world-building and 'you're really there' feel of the flick.

If you paid me to watch this, I would decline. It's a Hollywood movie and a remake - I already know what's going to happen.

A remake of a remake.

They've managed to surprise me at times. The likes of True Grit, 3:10 to Yuma, and The Fly have proven to be damned fine Hollywood remakes.

What's important to me is that the basic movie formula is changed. If I find out that Godzilla achieves his objectives and manages to defeat any military force that attacks him, then I will pay to watch this. I want to see what happens if Godzilla wins.

At least it's not a Michael Bay nor George Lucas film. That counts for something!

Just got back from the screening for Godzilla... and it was good... for free.  That's all I'll say for now until others have seen it.

Yes. I have a low opinion of both of those directors. (Except for "The Island" by Bay; that was surprising.)

The whole movie felt contrived, formulaic, and manufactured. There's the shadow of an interesting story lurking just below the surface with Watanabe's character and his connection to Godzilla, but beyond that, there was little else I actually enjoyed.

Godzilla vs Pacific Rim: Fight!

Godzilla: Giant monsters smashing cities.
Pacific Rim: Giant monsters smashing cities, plus giant robots smashing giant monsters.

Godzilla: Sporadic action until the end.
Pacific Rim: Enough action to last a tub of popcorn.

Godzilla: Second-rate acting and silly script; still takes itself way too seriously.
Pacific Rim: Second-rate acting and silly script; knows it, embraces it.

Neither movie is exactly championship material but at least Pacific Rim puts on a good show. For Godzilla chalk up another failed comeback attempt.

...Or basically what Idolores said.

But I'm guessing better than Godzillia 1998...?

Edit:

Or has Godzillia 1998 entered "it's so bad it's good" territory?

Never saw that one.  I tend to avoid Roland Emmerich's movies (though Stargate and ID4 were fine back in the day).

I much preferred Pacific Rim over this new Godzilla.  But it seems the general public took the opposite stance.  The mainstream just doesn't seem interested in trying out something new, they have to stick with the old stuff because nostalgia. ugh.

I haven't seen Godzilla (or have any intention of) but I have to agree. I just don't get the Godzilla appeal, I never have. Pacific Rim was great because it had a relatable, humane side to it. I just don't get that with Godzilla.

Also, re: the nostalgia point, I also agree. I'm getting really tired of people crying about comic book movies for the same reason. I'm sorry if your <insert comic book franchise> isn't the same as mine which isn't the same as your dad's.  Not even sure how people are surprised that they're retconned so often, too. It happens in the comics as well.

On one hand I'd say your lucky... on the other I feel you're missing out on a classic crapfest movie.

And I agree with jb (!!!)... I just don't get the appeal of Godzillia.

Yeah the whole giant robot thing is pretty new to U.S. audiences.  There's Transformers obviously but that had the benefit of a cartoon series that at least two different generations are familiar with.  As far as I know there was never anything resembling the really giant robots of Pacific Rim on American TV.

I thought Pacific Rim was amazing for the same reason that Independance Day was such a glorious visual feast: they take horribly cheesy ideas (giant robots and b-movie style alien invasions), blows the action up proportionately, and basically lets the audience drown in big-budget, hollywood-action melodrama while indulging the guilty sensibilities of its intended audience. I'll gladly pick a risk-taking big-idea movie like Pacific Rim or ID4 over any other kind of movie any day of the week.

Of course, Pacific Rim is a far superior movie than ID was.

Well I thought Pacific Rim was offensively awful. Sure, the monsters and mechs were great but every scene with a human had me cringing. The tone was all over the place, like it didn't know if it wanted to be a serious drama, a comedy or a kids show and the two scientists were the nail in the coffin for me, removing any goodwill that came from the action. Relatable human side? Really?

Godzilla on the other hand, that was a movie that at least knew what it was. This is a Godzilla movie and I'm so, so glad that is what it is and that they managed to do the series justice. I loved the build up, loved how they introduced each element and surprised me quite a few times while doing so. Godzilla himself was amazing but I also really appreciated getting a feel for the everyday regular viewpoint of what the world would be like in this situation. The movie had a bunch of contrivances, mainly to get one character into just about every related situation, but I can forgive those because they managed to achieve the aim, solving a difficulty with all Godzilla films - the complete separation of monsters and humans. A couple of the characters could have done with being stronger too.

Mostly, I thought it was an incredible spectacle and just really enjoyed it.

This.