Overview: In this gritty, realistic sci-fi action epic, Godzilla returns to its roots as one of the world's most recognized monsters.

Directed by Gareth Edwards and featuring an all-star international cast, this spectacular adventure pits Godzilla against malevolent creatures that, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

Blu-ray Verdict: Warner Bros. is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the cagey and compelling remake of 'Godzilla’ in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this March 23rd, 2021.

For my money, this 'Godzilla: 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital' combo pack's sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.

So, what we have is 'Godzilla' presented to us as a two-disc combo pack with a sheet for a Digital HD Copy. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: Upscaled 4K (2160p), HDR: HDR10, Aspect ratio: 2.39:1, and Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1.

Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHD's, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this film gloriously shines within them all.

Noticeably crisper with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what's more is that it's enjoyably noticeable.

For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color; such as when the monster is first spotted headed toward the underside of the boat they are on and the Army sends down bright orange/red flares to see where they are shooting, that scene is really eye-catching "alive" now!

Indeed, the picture enjoys the fruits of the added resolution in terms of bringing out the aforementioned extremely fine facial and some of the yellow graded material - notably the scene of clearing and mourning the "demise" of the stricken Godzilla in the crumbled streets, only for his eye to open, his body to reach back for the sky, and for him to walk off, which all now comes across way more "touchable" of a moment.

As for the audio, well we have: English: English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), German: Dolby Digital 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1 and Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1.

Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.

OK, well, as for the actual movie, well, in truth, "monster movies" seem to have a pattern. There is always a family, some military involvement and the works.

'Godzilla is not an exception. What is exceptional though, is the way these things were handled. Yes, sometimes I cringed at some family matters, but other times (especially when Cranston was on screen) I was almost moved.

Bryan Cranston naturally does fine, but Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the lead. He is the character that is everywhere at almost all times. He's sometimes more of a plot vehicle than a character, and this movie isn't surely worth watching because of him, but at least he didn't annoy me as much as I feared - and the movie managed to get to the point I was waiting for without making me hate the wait!

Ken Watanabe, too, is handled mainly as an exposition machine or is tasked with setting up the mood, but he's always enjoyable to watch and when he's on screen everything feels a lot better.

The monsters, what they are and what they do, are set up well enough. We get some impressive visuals and decent build-up even before the first full-on action scene. The creatures are introduced nicely, and when they get to business, trust me, it's all nice to watch!

Godzilla is of course the main character, and many people complain that he isn't shown much in this film. That is not a moot criticism, and I understand that. However I enjoyed our hero of a monster more this way for when he was on screen, it was more special and worth the wait.

While this is (at least on the human side) a fairly serious movie, I found something uplifting in the monster action itself. The little boy inside this grown man cheered and even though a lot of buildings and property got smashed, I didn't get tired or annoyed about it like in, say, Man of Steel!

Additionally, this movie is just fresh. It stands out from all your other token blockbuster flicks like Spider-man and Xmen because of the way the story builds and feels.

What's great about the themes/subtexts of the film is that it respects and pays homage to the original 1954 Gojira, but it doesn't wink to the audience or cut short on the ideas.

Early character arcs are established to show nuances within the tone of the film and the screenplay by Max Borenstein complements this with appropriately fantastic writing and dialog - much resemblance to classics like Jurassic Park and Jaws.

In the end, everything comes full circle and Godzilla is shown as an anti-hero - the way he should be.

So sure, there is childish excitement to be found in this movie, even though you'd have to wait for it some time, and overall, the special effects were beautiful (and I love the new Godzilla design and the M.U.T.O.'s were both creepy and a little beautiful in their own ways as well! This is a Widescreen Presentation (2.39:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Feature of:

ULTRA HD BLU-RAY & BLU-RAY ELEMENTS:
'Godzilla' Ultra HD Blu-ray contains the following previously released special feature:
• MONARCH: Declassified - Discover explosive new evidence not contained in the film that unravels the massive cover-up to keep Godzilla’s existence a secret
o Operation: Lucky Dragon
o MONARCH: The M.U.T.O. File
o The Godzilla Revelation
• The Legendary Godzilla - Go behind the scenes with filmmakers and cast for an even deeper look at the larger than life monsters in the film
o Godzilla: Force of Nature
o A Whole New Level Of Destruction
o Into The Void: The H.A.L.O. Jump
o Ancient Enemy: The M.U.T.O.s

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that 2014’s 'Godzilla' will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack and Digital on March 23rd, 2021.

An epic action adventure directed by Gareth Edwards (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”), Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ 'Godzilla' marked the long-awaited big screen return of the King of the Monsters.

Official 'Godzilla' (2014) Trailer