GODZILLA 4K Blu-Ray Review: A Gargantuan Spectacle

Ever since its inception near the mid-2010s, Warner Bros.’ fittingly titled “MonsterVerse” has been one of the studio’s flagship franchises over the course of the past ten years.  Their various reimaginings of the classic movie monsters of decades past have served as tremendous accomplishments in visual storytelling, bringing these characters to life in new ways that feel boundlessly refreshing. Beginning with 2014’s Godzilla and continuing with 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, the franchise transitioned into something bigger with 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, with the amalgamation of this buildup set to arrive later this month in the form of Godzilla vs. Kong, a grand battle between the two titular monsters and undeniably one of the most anticipated films of the year.

As a precursor to the aforementioned upcoming cinematic showdown, Warner Bros. has prepared for release the first film in the MonsterVerse, Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla, on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray format. Previously only available on standard Blu-Ray, the release comes with new artwork and a show-stopping HDR transfer that makes this absolutely worth adding to any 4K UHD collection.

Video: 4.5/5

Godzilla is presented on 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray in its original aspect ratio of 2:39:1. Anyone who’s seen Edwards’ film can affirm that, above all things, it is populated by dark imagery, that, from both a thematic and cinematic perspective, is a stark disparity between the bright colors and landscapes of the original Godzilla films, most notably those of the Shōwa Era (which spanned from 1954 to 1975). As such, I approached this new release with cautious optimism, as the new HDR10 presentation of the film had the potential to improve on the original Blu-Ray release from years prior in addition to providing a terrific viewing experience, and overall, it did. While the environments peppered throughout Godzilla‘s runtime are often quite dim, this ultimately manages to heighten the mood, allowing for more palpable tension to arise. Warner’s 4K HDR10 transfer drives this home in spades, and regardless of one’s thoughts on the film itself, it is irrefutable that this latest release is the definitive viewing format for Edwards’ epic.

When compared to the original release, the 4K UHD of Godzilla is, at times, certainly not one of the most visibly refined upgrades in Warner’s catalogue, but remains stable enough throughout the runtime as a more than sizable improvement over the 2014 Blu-Ray, which, while still watchable, is graded in a way that continues to reflect somewhat negatively upon the film’s atmosphere. Thankfully, the regrading and added HDR10 capabilities lift the film to new heights, despite the occasional shortcomings that were somewhat inevitable for a film like this, one with such a clearly definable, potently shadowed ambiance. In a film already packed with key highlights of visual greatness, the added vibrancy, textural clarity, and contrast round each other out to generate a wholly satisfying viewing presentation that isn’t faltered by the inherently muddy textures of the film’s landscapes.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release of Godzilla comes equipped with a boisterous Dolby Atmos track that makes its home media debut after being presented alongside past theatrical showings of the film. Consequentially, it’s far from the best my ears have heard, but that doesn’t hold it back any further from being tremendous in its own right and a true force to be reckoned with on the format. One of the most impartial statements about any and all Godzilla films is that their ability to stay true to their larger-than-life nature while remaining grounded in the real world is marvelous, with this release serving as prime proof of that generalization. The Atmos track is thunderous, most evidently throughout sequences of large-scale monster action but during various others as well. It’s a track that flawlessly leads the viewer into the colossally expanding world, further guided by Alexandre Desplat’s stunning score, and will hold up for years to come.

Special Features: 3/5

The supplemental features included are as follows:

• MONARCH: Declassified – Discover explosive new evidence not contained in the film that unravels the massive cover-up to keep Godzilla’s existence a secret.
  • Operation: Lucky Dragon
  • MONARCH: The M.U.T.O. File
  • 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.
  • Godzilla: Force of Nature
  • A Whole New Level Of Destruction
  • Into The Void: The H.A.L.O. Jump
  • Ancient Enemy: The M.U.T.O.s

The special features contained in this release are nothing short of noteworthy, though the lack of any new supplements and the continued relegation of the previous ones to the standard Blu-ray disc is a bit of a letdown. They’re undoubtedly worth watching, but additional features as a follow-up to the original release’s lineup would’ve been nice. As is the tradition with Warner Bros. releases, Godzilla also arrives with a 4K digital copy of the film that viewers can redeem to watch on the go on streaming platforms.

Overall Score: 4/5

Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla is one of the largest mixed bags in blockbuster cinema of the past few years. The primarily dull characters and largely uninteresting narrative beats hold it back from achieving true cinematic greatness, and while the performances from the main cast are all somewhat notable in their own ways, any resonance for their roles is far and few between. Despite those shortcomings, however, Edwards does succeed in delivering an intense feast for the eyes and ears, staggering in its visual splendor and briskly paced from start to finish. If Edwards’ rendition of the titular monster should be commended for anything, it’s that he certainly knows how to operate on a large scale in a monumental way that carries the entire film on its back. There’s a lot more that could’ve been done with the material, but as far as reboots go, Godzilla is a perfectly serviceable action romp that, in the end, does right by the legacy of the original film. Warner Bros.’ new 4K UHD release is shattering and jaw-droppingly grand, and, regardless of the imperfections of the film itself, comes highly recommended.

What’s your favorite Godzilla film? Will you be picking up Godzilla on 4K UHD Blu-Ray this month? Let us know in the comments!

Godzilla is set to be released in 4K on March 23, 2021, courtesy of Warner Bros.