Godzilla MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -1 1/2

This highly promoted adventure/disaster film will probably satisfy most of those who flock to see it. And most of the disaster-destruction is wreaked on New York City as a huge grotesque, lizard-like monster rampages through its downtown streets looking for a place to lay some eggs. The Army is called in to destroy the monster with the advice of Dr. Nick Tatopoulos (Matthew Broderick), a biologist who specializes in animals mutated by nuclear radiation. Given the name Godzilla, the monster roars and thrashes through the downtown streets of Manhattan, destroying skyscraper buildings and chasing the police, Army soldiers and Air Force planes trying to destroy it. Apparently to add atmosphere, most of this takes place at night in the rain. But Godzilla is only the beginning of New York's troubles because it has laid many eggs which hatch into vicious baby monsters. There is a semblance of a plot as Nick's old girl friend, Audrey (Maria Pitillo), tries to scoop some of the monster news for her TV station. And she and Nick discover they are still attracted to each other. Godzilla may not draw as large an audience as its producers hope, but it probably has enough action appeal to do well at the box office.

Much of the film is taken up with the battles to destroy Godzilla as it rampages through downtown Manhattan. The Army fires all sorts of weapons at it, and Air Force planes pursue and bombard it with powerful missiles. The Navy even fires torpedoes at Godzilla when it jumps into the river alongside Manhattan. Godzilla also threatens the police and civilians as well as Nick , Audrey and some of their cohorts who are also hot on the trail of the Godzilla. Even though the battles and mayhem are intense, scary and destructive, none are gratuitous, gory or sadistic. The several killings which are shown are not gory or shown in closeups. With all the action, there isn't time for any sexual content, but a number of mild crudities are spoken in the heat of battle, along with a few mild obscenities and several regular profanities. Like a number of other films these days, Godzilla would be reasonably acceptable if its foul language has been subdued.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Tri Star Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232]