Stars : Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria

This is one of the more simple plots to write about as everybody already knows about Gojira or as we Westerners prefer to call him : Godzilla.

Put simply a lizard, affected by the nuclear tests carried out by the French has had its genes altered to such an extent that it is now 80 stories high, or 30 stories depending on the building it’s in such is the lack of continuity throughout the film.

Dr. Niko Tatopoulos (Broderick) is investigating the effects of radiation at Chernobyl when called in to investigate a spate of strange occurences involving the sinking of ships which appears to be heading directly to New York city. With the help of the mysterious Frenchman Philippe Roache (Reno), former girlfriend turned wannabe news Reporter Audrey Timmonds (Pitillo) and cameraman Victor (Animal) Palotti (Azaria) they set about figuring out how to rid NYC of Godzilla.

This is another big budget special effects movie put together by Roland Emmerich and dean Devlin who are behind the mega hit Independence Day. Anyone who has seen ID4 knows that the movie is going to be light on plot and heavy on action and if that’s what you go in expecting you will not be disappointed.

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentary : Special Effects Supervisors Volker Engel & Karen Golikas discuss the film in somehwat vivid detail although there’s no real passion meaning it’s a little difficult to stick with it for more than a few minutes before you start nodding off.

Godzilla Takes New York : This is a sequence of shots showing scenes from the movie before and after Godzilla is added.

Featurette : This 7 minute featurette titled “On Assignment with Charles Caiman” (Harry Shearer’s character) has interviews with cast & crew as well as some looks behind the scenes at the making of the movie.

Photo Gallery :

Music Video : The Wallflowers - Heroes

Director/Producer Bios : Looks at Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin’s history.

Cast Filmographies : Text pages looking at selected films the main cast have made.

Theatrical Trailers :