"Godzilla"

Toho Studios finest is back, and bigger than ever.

The most famous lizard ever to walk the cinema screen has returned.
Japan 1999, and at a dig site a most remarkable find, a truly huge set of bones have been uncovered. What could they possibly belong to?  But startling is that something is found and it is far from extinct, and making its way to the main land. Also there are tremors being felt within the grounds of a nuclear power plant. Concern is being raised by Scientist Joe Brody. His protestations go unheard, and it causes him much pain when he suffers personal loss during the quake. The area is evacuated, and many questions are left unanswered as the Powers that be try to cover what is really going on.

We then jump forward to the present day. Things have quietened down, or have they?  Scientist Brody is still getting into trouble with the Authorities, as he still is desperate to find out what happened all those years ago. In order to try and instill some sanity in him, his Son is sent for, who is currently serving with the Army as an Explosives expert. Son Ford tries to get his Dad to see that his efforts are futile and a waste of time, but somehow Brody manages to get both he and his Son back to the site of the Nuclear plant, where they do some investigating. They are promptly arrested for trespassing and taken to a secret area, wherever the full picture of what is happening is revealed. And this happens just as those pesky earth tremors reoccur. Is history about to repeat itself?

Within this compound is a creature, one that feeds on nuclear energy, and is very destructive. Its intentions are unclear, but it is not the only large creature walking the Earth. A large lizard from a time gone by is lurking within the waters, and its size is tremendous, and likewise its intentions are unknown. It is greatly feared but has been given a name appropriate for its legend and size, that of Godzilla.
The nuclear feeding creature is making its way to Nevada, and the full picture becomes clear, in that it is not alone, there is another one of its kind, and its intention is to breed. Fortunately for mankind, Godzilla is aware of this, and this is why he is walking the planet to save humanity from possible death and destruction.

I had the great pleasure of seeing the film on the IMAX screen, and whilst the 3D aspect is not that enthralling, the overall film and sound quality were really enhanced.
As a lover of 70's disaster movies, it is like a dream of a movie. I grew up watching both the old Godzilla movies, and yes I also watched the cartoon series. So to see this new imagining of the legendary creature is a real delight. There are many great action sequences, plus lots of disaster based  scenarios.
There are varying results from ther cast. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is ok as the Army Bomb expert, but his character is one of the very few minor weak points of the film. The more mature members of the cast really shine, the likes of Juliette Binoche and Bryan Cranston are doing sterling work. But one shines above all others. And he is the remarkable Japanese actor Ken Wattanabe, who turns out high quality performances which each film he does. He gives the film some real gravitas, and an air of class.

Gareth Edwards wonderfully fills the Directors chair with air of confidence of someone who has been directing for many years, let alone the few films that he has made.
Key to the success of the film is the visual aspect, the effects are universally top notch, and a delight to see. Both the creatures and the destruction they create are wonderfully realised. These images coupled with thunderous sound and a great score make for a fun two hours at the cinema.

Godzilla IS back, and those dreadful memories of 1998 are long forgotten.....9 out of 10

"Kick Ass 2"

Our young super heroes from the first film find themselves adjusting to life once more, especially for 'Mindy' as she learns to cope with the loss of her Father.
Both still endeavouring to fight crime in their own unique way, but the pressures of school and having 'Marcus' as her guardian starts to take its toll. And she finds that it may be best for all concerned to just try and be an ordinary schoolgirl. Unfortunately this then allows the film to head off on the strand of her trying to fit in with the in-crowd at school. It is a rather tedious plotline, that has been done so many times before, but for me it felt like it did not belong in this film, and was being used as padding to fill out the time, as if the writers were struggling to fill the movies running time.

Dave AKA Kick Ass in the meanwhile is weary of being on his own, and so sets out to find a Robin to his Batman. This is where he encounters 'Justice Forever', a group of heroes headed by the dentistry challenged 'Colonel Stars & Stripes'.
The flip side to Kick Ass, the villain formerly known as Red Mist, is keen to avenge the death of his Father. So he reinvents himself as the first Super-villain, calling himself something that I could not possibly type on here. He starts to assemble a group of rather unsavoury characters, and looks to go to war against Kick Ass and Co.

And for me this is one of the biggest problems with the film. With Mark Strong, who played Frank, you had a credible and detestable villain. Yet all we have in this sequel is a young child who is having a tantrum, and throwing his dummy out of the pram. All he needs is a good slap. He seems to pose very little threat. His gang however are another matter, but for me Mintz-Plasse brings very little to the role, and should have been sidelined for a far more worthy villain.

There is the inevitable showdown, but by this time one does not particularly care who wins. All those great elements that made the first film so fresh, vibrant and original have been completely overlooked. There is little to commend about it. A great shame as I loved the original film so much. I would be very surprised if Kick Ass gets to don the mask again.........4 out 10