Overhated & Underrated: This Iconic Kaiju Film Doesn’t Deserve to Be Underrated

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Godzilla is the foundation of the entire ‘monster movie’ genre. The creature, born from Japan’s experience with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, serves as a stark warning about the dangers we pose to ourselves and the need to respect the natural world. So, when Western filmmakers decided to create their own monster universe, I was hopeful but wary, remembering how different – and unsuccessful – their 1997 version was.

Look, when the 2014 Godzilla came out, it really worked – there’s a lot to appreciate about it. But honestly, as this MonsterVerse has gotten bigger and flashier, the first film has kind of faded from people’s memories. It’s become a bit underrated, and that’s a shame. Don’t let it slip under your radar, though – it’s still absolutely worth watching.

Godzilla (2014) Was Smart to Take Its Time

What really stood out to me about this film, similar to the original Godzilla, was its core purpose. This Godzilla is presented as a direct response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and it introduces a powerful idea: nature caused the disaster, and Godzilla is nature’s way of balancing things out after humanity’s technological advancements. I’ve always found it compelling to see Godzilla as a force that restores balance, and this film consistently reinforces that concept.

As the first film in the series, it takes its time establishing the story. It strongly focuses on the human characters, particularly Ford and Ellen Brody, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen, along with Dr. Serizawa. Ford gets involved because of his father’s obsession with Godzilla – an obsession that began when his mother died as a result of the monster’s attack. While Ford’s main goal is to return to his family, his military duties quickly shift to stopping Godzilla and a new type of monster, called MUTOs, which would become central to the larger MonsterVerse.

Dr. Serizawa works with Monarch and is highly knowledgeable about the monsters. He has a unique understanding of these creatures and embodies the spirit of classic Godzilla films, where characters often attempted to cooperate with the kaiju instead of destroying them. However, he’s best remembered for delivering the famous line, “let them fight.”

As a movie fan, I really appreciate that this film doesn’t rush things. It takes its time introducing the characters and ideas, and honestly, that’s intentional. Gareth Edwards, the director, is brilliant at building tension slowly. It might feel a little slow at first, but it totally worked for me – it really helped to emphasize how massive and powerful Godzilla is, making him feel like a true force of nature.

Looking back, the deliberate pacing of the first Godzilla movie is a major reason why later MonsterVerse films could embrace more over-the-top action and spectacle. The film carefully establishes Godzilla as a protector, and even the fight scenes are realistically scaled to feel grounded in the human experience. A prime example is when Ford jumps alongside Godzilla – the camera angle emphasizes just how small humans are in comparison. This slow, deliberate storytelling approach really worked, and Godzilla remains the best illustration of how effective it can be.

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Why is Godzilla (2014) Often Overlooked?

As a big movie fan, I’ve always found the Rotten Tomatoes scores for the Godzilla films fascinating. When you compare the first one, the 2014 Godzilla, to its sequel, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, there’s a really interesting split. Critics gave the 2014 film a 76% rating, but audiences were a little less impressed at 66%. Then you look at King of the Monsters, and it’s almost reversed – critics only gave it 42%, but audiences loved it, giving it an 83%! It just shows how much audiences can differ from critics, and with the awesome monster action in King of the Monsters, it’s easy to see why people went wild for it. But it still makes me wonder – why is the 2014 Godzilla so often overlooked? It deserves more love, honestly.

The 2014 film Godzilla moves at a deliberate pace, much like the monster itself. What really stands out is that it takes the creature seriously – Godzilla is genuinely frightening, and the fight with the MUTOs remains impressive, particularly when he uses his atomic breath. Beyond the action, the movie cleverly explores the risks of interfering with nature and the consequences when nature retaliates.

While some find Godzilla (2014) less enjoyable than later films, that doesn’t fully explain why it’s often forgotten. The movie has plenty of great moments that both critics and audiences appreciated. Historically, stories focusing on both monsters and human characters haven’t always been successful, and that may be part of the reason. However, Godzilla (2014) still deserves more recognition than it gets.

Before Exploring the MonsterVerse, Godzilla (2014) Can’t Be Skipped

Many people see the 2014 Godzilla film as the weakest in the MonsterVerse – it’s not as flashy or action-packed as the others. However, dismissing it overlooks what makes it important. This Godzilla isn’t about delivering over-the-top thrills or portraying a heroic monster. Instead, it aims to remind us how frightening and powerful nature can be, and it does that exceptionally well.

This monster movie stands out because it’s unique in both its ideas and how it’s made – something no other film in the MonsterVerse has achieved. We’re familiar with Godzilla being portrayed as a hero or a villain, but it’s unusual to see him simply as a powerful natural force. Because of this, the 2014 Godzilla is a film you shouldn’t miss.

I still really appreciate the 2014 Godzilla movie, even though some parts can be a little slow – I do love a good monster brawl! However, I think it’s unfairly overlooked. People seem to only want fast-paced action, and that’s not what this movie is about. Considering how well it did, Godzilla (2014) should be seen as an introduction to the character, not dismissed because it takes its time building the story.

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2026-04-09 19:15