GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019)

Kyle Chandler

GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (2019). Director: Michael Dougherty. 

Dr. Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler), whose son was killed in the war between Godzilla and other creatures (called MUTOs), wants all of these gigantic monsters destroyed. His nutty ex-wife, Emma (Vera Farmiga), believes that humans have become an infestation in the planet and that these ancient creatures will restore a natural balance -- both humans and MUTOs can live in supposed harmony. Emma forms an alliance with eco-terrorist Alan Jonah (Charles Dance) that even has Emma's young daughter, Madison (Millie Bobby Brown), gagging. 

Ghidorah

Meanwhile Russell and the military do their best to deal with the re-emergence of several major MUTOs (aka "Titans"), including Mothra, a big insectoid creature; Rodan, a pterodactyl-type monster; and an extraterrestrial three-headed dragon known as Ghidorah or Monster Zero. An organization called MONARCH tries to monitor all of them. Will Godzilla prove to be the savior of the human race by defeating these creatures or is he just as terrible a menace as the others?

Godzilla and little people on submarine

Once upon a time monster movies were generally looked down upon by the critical establishment. They were also a lot more fun. Whereas the 1998 Godzilla was a little too humorous (although it had stunning FX work), this Godzilla is way too serious and ponderous, with an inappropriate musical score that tries to make you think you're watching something moving and profound. It isn't. 

Godzilla emerges from the sea

I must admit that all of these Japanese monsters have never looked better, and the CGI in this is marvelous. Unfortunately, much of the time the battles are fought against misty, cluttered and foggy backgrounds, often making the action difficult to follow. However, there is a lively battle between Mothra and Rodan, which the former wins, and Rodan's attack on a fighter squadron is effective. (One poor pilot ejects from his plane only to fly right up into Rodan's mouth!) 

Ken Watanabe

The trouble with Godzilla is that after awhile it's just plain tedious. You don't care about the characters or what happens to them, and you don't give a damn about the big lizard, either. Say what you will about the 1998 Godzilla, that had some thrilling sequences in it (baby Godzillas hatch out of eggs in Madison Square Garden; big Godzilla chases the heroes down Manhattan streets) and there's nothing as exciting as those sequences in this movie. 

Ghidorah

Godzilla: King of the Monsters drags in everything from Edgar Rice Burroughs to H. P. Lovecraft, with talk of a hollow earth (which enables Godzilla to get around the world unseen) and intimating that the Titan monsters are "old gods" who once ruled over the earth. There are also some nods to the original fifties Godzilla (Gojira) in this film. Just as an Asian scientist sacrificed his life to kill Godzilla in the original movie, in this Dr. Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) sacrifices himself to re-energize the monster. The martial music that plays over these and other scenes sounds very similar to the music at the end of Gojira. 

This is a sequel to the 2014 Godzilla and to Kong: Skull Island. Needless to say, Godzilla vs. Kong comes out next year. 

Verdict: Despite some good FX work, even monster geeks may find this a waste of time. **. 

ORPHAN

Such a lovely child: Isabelle Fuhrman

ORPHAN (2009). Director: Jaume Collet-Serra. 

After Kate (Vera Farmiga of Godzilla, King of the Monsters) and her husband, John (Peter Sarsgaard) lose a daughter in the womb, they decide to adopt a sweet nine-year-old girl, Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman), from the Ukraine. Esther seems to get along with her little deaf sister, Maxine (Aryana Engineer), although her older brother, Danny (Jimmy Bennett), is not as happy with her. Gradually Kate, a reformed alcoholic whose drinking led to Maxine's deafness, becomes convinced that there is something very wrong with Esther after some disturbing incidents, and makes up her mind to discover her true origins. Sister Abigail (CCH Pounder), who ran the orphanage where her new parents first encountered Esther, tells Kate that she may have reasons for concern. Then someone takes a hammer to the nun's head and beats her bloody and dead ... 

Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard

Orphan is a clever and suspenseful "paranoia" film that starts out like a modern version of The Bad Seed -- a better movie -- but turns out to be something perhaps even more diabolical, becoming more sinister with each sequence. Farmiga and Sarsgaard offer convincing performances and young Isabelle Fuhrman, only 12-years-old at the time, is nothing short of miraculous. Pounder is as wonderful as ever as the ill-fated sister. There are some illogical moments, and little Aryana Engineer, while adorable, isn't really an actress, but the film has a thrilling climax and its shock-cut moments are effectively handled. The revelation at the end channels a famous short story by, I believe, Ray Bradbury. The movie may have influenced a real-life couple to claim that their adoptive Ukrainian daughter was -- well, that would be telling.  

Verdict: Creepy and absorbing suspense-thriller with a nifty twist and a nun-kill. ***.