The 2010’s were an exciting time to be a Monster Movie fan! The decade began with a remake of the classic 1981 Ray Harryhausen epic; Clash of the Titans, and as the decade progressed more and more Monster Movies appeared in ever increasing volumes. It was soo much better than the 2000’s, when virtually ‘NO’ Monster Movies were released at all, except for a few Godzilla films, The Host, Cloverfield, and a few others that were largely only released in their own home countries, or more likely straight to DVD.
Whilst film like Clash of the Titans, Troll Hunter, Monsters, and Super 8 were released between 2010 and 2011, it wasn’t really until 2013 that things began to change, largely due to the release of Guillermo del Toro‘s Pacific Rim. After that several more appeared, which included (but was not limited to):
As the decade ticked by, it became a wondorous time for both the release and the announcements of more films to come. And then there was Godzilla.
After taking a 10 year break, the Godzilla film series was re-ignited with a bang. First came a brand new American film (which had a lot to improve on, given what the previous American Godzilla film was like), and then this was followed by a new Japanese film, a trilogy of Anime films, and one more American.
It wasn’t all plain sailing however, as the decade for Godzilla was a bit mixed. The series did start off with a major bang, and even reached brand new, record setting heights; delivering what I consider to be the ‘Best Film’ in the entire series. But then there were some who saw this achievement, and wondered if they could break another record, and in turn created what I consider to be the ‘Worst Film‘ in the entire series, to which I will add a poster of here so you can see what it is without me having to discuss it on a Top 5 List.
And with the bad one getting a mention, just to point out it’s mere shambolic existence, lets move onto the other five (the first of which is also bad, but not as bad as the above one). So, without further ado; here are My Top 5 Favourite Godzilla Films from the 2010’s; Enjoy!
5. Godzilla: The Planet Eater – Following the events of the previous film, a strange alien race summons the cosmic destroyer they call King Ghidorah, which to begin with proves quite effective against Godzilla, so why isn’t this a good thing?!
I can easily sum up this film in just one word: borring (so imagine how bad the previous film must be if this one is just totally borring). Yes, they ended their poorly executed trilogy with something soo borring, I nearly fell asleep watching it. The film’s plot just didn’t do anything, and when King Ghidorah appears, he just twists and turns on screen, like a Boa Constrictor trying to impersonate a Sloth. And then the ending doesn’t really do much, as it tries to be philosophical, by sacrificing the core plot it has been spouting since the first film. It’s a bad one, but at least it was the final one!
4. Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters – During the final summer of the 20th century, giant monsters started to attack the Earth. The baddest of them all is Godzilla. The remnants of Humannity evacuate into space. 20 Years later, they decide to return, only to discover that Godzilla has now grown even bigger than he was before!
The film that launched an underwhelming trilogy of anime films, but at least it could be considered enjoyable, in comparison to what followed. The introduction was pretty cool, all leading up to an exciting scene as hummanity leaves the Earth. When they return, it’s almost like a mini skirmish erupts, as the crew discover the small life forms that now infest the earth, as well as who is at the top of the food chain, and work out a plan as to how to take back the planet. Whilst the film is a bit more up-beat (and far-more interesting) than it’s two sequels, it’s still largely forgettable, except for the cool twist at the end!
3. Godzilla: King of the Monsters – A group of Eco-Terrorists see an opportunity to re-populate the earth with greenery, when they discover that the cities that Godzilla and the Muto‘s destroyed have replenished the eco-systems there due to their monsters’ radiation. So, they come up with a plan to awaken all the monsters on earth, in the hopes of reversing hummanity’s destruction of the planet. It all goes haywire though, when they awaken the wrong monster!
This film practically sold itself before it was even produced, when Legendary announced they had acquired the rights to use other monsters from the Godzilla series; with those lucky creatures being King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Rodan. So finally, several of the series best known monsters were going to receive the big budget treatment. The monsters from a viewpoint, are just terrific. King Ghidorah and Rodan especially, and then there’s the addition of other monsters created just for this film, like the mighty Behemoth, who does steal the show a little. But whilst the monsters are simply awesome, the film is weakly paced out. The plot is like a Saturday morning cartoon, and the film has fallen into the trap of jumping from Iron Man to Avengers: Endgame, and not bothering with the film’s in between. It’s a visual treat, featuring epic monster action on the scale we have all wanted to see, it’s just the plot is poorly paced out!
2. Godzilla (2014) – In 1954, a colossal prehistoric creature is lured to Bikini Atoll in an attempt to kill it with a Nuclear Weapon. In 1999, a nuclear power plant in Japan is destroyed in suspicious circumstances. In 2014, the supervisor of that power plant chooses to investigate the area. He discovers that inside the ruins of the reactor, a giant monster is sleeping, which then escapes. Soon afterwards, another creature turns up!
What a way to break the silence of a 10 year gap in Godzilla movies. The 2014 Godzilla movie was awesome, as it shunned the practices of the 1998 film, and made one that actually featured a creature worthy enough to call itself Godzilla. It does take considerable time for the Big G to turn up, although he can be sort of seen in the film’s epic intro. The build-up to his eventual appearance though is achieved so well, by merely suggesting his appearance, without confirming it, all leading up to his incredible full appearance. The film then chooses to spend it’s time building up to the big final fight, concentrating on the cool Muto creatures, before then concluding on a battle the last 10 years of movie making chose not to produce. The 2014 Godzilla film was brilliant, and is a hot contender for a spot in my Top 10!
1. Shin Godzilla – In 2016, the Japanese Coast Guard discover an abandoned yacht in Tokyo Bay. Suddenly the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line is flooded with blood. Then viral videos start emerging of something in the bay. This something is soon revealed to be a giant creature, which soon makes it on land causing terror. Eventually it goes back into the sea. An investigation is launched into the existence of the creature, but eventually it returns, having more than tripled in size!
Shin Godzilla is simply Fantastic. It’s potentially the most modern monster movie imaginable, as it tells the story of a modern government, passing the buck, and getting knee deep in red tape, whilst a major tragedy is underway, because they want to know whose responsibility it all is. That sums up Godzilla’s initial attack. The government then evokes a state of emergency, preventing this from happening when Godzilla returns. The film is laced with the un-combinable forces of Science and Politics; but at the same time, delivers what is also the most terrifying form a natural disaster can possibly take, one that can evolve. Imagine a tsunami, which then grows legs, then gains the ability of flight, and then starts breathing fire. The plot is not exactly like that, but what you do have is a monster, changing itself, to meet hurdles head on; from movement, to defense. Basically, it’s making itself as indestructable as possible. The film is complementated with a great soundtrack, terrific acting, amazing action scenes, the lot; and that’s why it is without a doubt; the Best Godzilla film ever made (for now anyway)!
Things I Like 
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