film criticism by maryann johanson | celebrating 25 years: 1997–2022
An absolute mess, and nowhere near enough monster action. Does not give good disaster. No fun at all. Makes me long for guys in rubber monster suits awkwardly sparring. At least you could see them.
This tonal misfire never hits the notes of drama and romance it aims for with its ickily problematic terrorist-hostage relationships. Facile and uncomfortably implausible, emotionally and practically.
Elegantly updates the King of All Monsters for the 21st century… but Hollywood’s tedious myopia means the movie as a whole isn’t quite so beautiful.
A Japanese-language remake of Unforgiven? Why not? Hollywood does the same in reverse all the time.
We know how it is: You’d like to go to the movies this weekend, but you were planning to fly around the globe this weekend. But you can have a multiplex-like experience at home with a collection of the right DVDs. And when someone asks you on Monday, “Hey, did you see Amelia this weekend?” … more…
