Sony’s ‘Godzilla’ Felled by Its Own Tale
To the “Sony insider†who admits that “maybe we were too aggressive in promoting†“Godzilla,†but says defensively that “that still doesn’t explain the constant and mean-spirited attention that’s been directed at the movie†(“Sony Is Finding Out That Size of Prediction Matters,†by Richard Natale, June 1):
In spite of all the attention lavished on “expected grosses,†I don’t see anything mean-spirited about criticizing poor filmmaking, and this was a lousy movie. All the neatest effects in the world do not a movie make. Story, story, story was always lesson No. 1, and this one failed on all counts.
I understand the need for “spin†at a time like this, but maybe in the long run, a lesson will be learned. The public wants meat on their monster bones!
MIKE CHAMBERS, Santa Monica
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It was a great idea to make a movie about Godzilla. The problem is that the movie is terrible. The acting is appalling and the story line is ridiculous. You ripped us off, Sony. Your advertising campaign made a promise that your talent couldn’t live up to.
HEATHER BRADSHAW, Los Angeles
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When the first “Godzilla†trailers started appearing a year ago I said that if the movie was half as good as the trailers, Sony would have the No. 1 movie in the summer. The trailers were very cleverly done and certainly created enthusiasm for the movie.
Instead of blaming over-promotion, the executives should put the blame right where it belongs. The movie is a (size does matter) stinker.
LARRY NOLTE, Seal Beach
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I would like to thank Kevin Thomas for his review of this great movie. I loved it. But I seem to stand alone with my opinion.
I went into the theater expecting to see a giant lizard run amok in New York and that’s what I got.
MIKE YBARRA, Gardena
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Forget “Godzilla.†If you want to see a really great monster movie in which the creature comes to New York and lays its eggs in a famous landmark, then rent a video of Larry Cohen’s 1982 “Q--The Winged Serpent.†It even ends with the very same sequence, shot for shot, as “Godzilla.â€
JILL GATSBY, Los Angeles
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