I’ll be honest – I didn’t know Godzilla: King of the Monsters was a follow-up to the 2014 Godzilla movie; I just thought it was the latest reboot in the half-century-plus history of that character. That friend Paul invited me to that movie but I had a church commitment. Plus, I was weary of Godzilla movies after the 1998 film I heard was such an abomination (now I’m thinking about whether that might have killed Matthew Broderick’s film career). I remember the friend Christian I mentioned saying it was tied with 1997’s Spawn for worst movie ever.

With all the hype this one was getting I decided to watch it. I quickly learned it was a direct sequel and it’s not like some sequels in that you pretty much have to watch the original. I spent a long time trying to figure out the technical stuff in the plot as well as the characters’ backstories, I’m still not sure I did, and I got the feeling there were plot holes on which I couldn’t pick up.

Still, trying to review this film on its individual merits, I’ll say that the cinematography impressed me repeatedly, the visual effects also did sometimes, and while the story sometimes seemed a bit too dark for its own good it was anchored by some great acting.

On that note, I’ve never seen such a cast in a big-budget popcorn flick! Kyle Chandler, whom I’ve often thought of as a guy who randomly turns up in supporting roles in all sorts of popular movies, anchors the film well as the lead character. He gets strong backup from Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Charles Dance, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Sally Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Bradley Whitford, Thomas Middleditch, AND David Strathairn. WOW.

Bottom Line: Watch the original first and this terrific cast might show you an intense but enjoyable time.

Up Next: The other movie called Godzilla: King of the Monsters.