The first iteration of the Godzilla reboot saw a director’s vision watered down by the needs of a big budget studio movie. Instead of embracing the glorious visuals Gareth Edwards concocted, we were forced to watch a romanceless long-distance relationship between Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen. Ah, what could have been. The second instalment has no pretence at aiming for anything beyond an honest, over the top monster flick, check your belief at the door for Godzilla: King of the Monsters

The film picks up roughly were the first left off, the organisation Monarch is searching for the titans hidden beneath the earth. Though they are using a technology developed by one of the groups most eminent scientists, Dr Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga), to help control the creatures more destructive tendencies , the emergence of a group of ‘environmental terrorists’ led by Alan Jonah (Charles Dance) puts a dent in their plans. It is up to Russell’s daughter (Milly Bobby Brown) and the estranged husband (Kyle Chandler) to save the day, with a little help from big G himself.

Now, this film is beyond ridiculous. There seems to be no end to the impossible feats that are explained oh so helpfully by remorseless exposition, but it isn’t about that at all. The action kicks off right from the start and rarely lets up. Not everyone’s idea of a good time but if you are able to switch your brain to stand-by, perhaps open a bottle of wine, this might just tick away nicely. It could certainly do with more bouts between Godzilla and the other titans, the real reason we are all here, it’s a shameless vehicle for CGI monster battles so why it doles them out so sparsely, dragging out each build up is beyond me.

That being said writer/director Matthew Dougherty does just enough to stop the film being solid trash, looking at you Michael Bay, but this is the easy way out after such a bold attempt in the previous film, removing all interest from a the promising rebirth of a cinematic legend.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is now available on DVD & Blu-Ray courtesy of Legendary Pictures and Warner Brothers

Jonathan Gleneadie