Sioux City Journal from Sioux City, Iowa • 27

I ne sioux uty journal, r-nqay, May g. iaaa 3 Jfejfela s3inip3illiiiriiogllii fauTraiiaiir scS-iH SeinHitoiry By Bruce R. Miller ViHv "Godzilla" is a dandy popcorn movie just the of the big G. He gets all the good shots, the good moves and the good plot twists. While Emmerich hasn't mastered Spielberg's bait-and-s witch routine, he does know how to surprise.

"Godzilla" is a dandy popcorn movie just the thing to keep kids quiet for days. It twists and turns, frightens and surprises. Had it not been preceded by dozens of "Godzilla" films and a couple of dinosaur delights, it might even be worth the hype it's been getting. As is, it's the perfect product of an industry afraid to take a real risk. Rated PG-13, 'Godzilla 'features thrills, violence and Some profanity.

GODZILLA, directed by Roland Emmerich; written by Emmerich, Dean Devlin, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio; starring Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo and Hank Azaria. thing to keep kids quiet for days.lt twists and turns, frightens and surprises. Hank Azaria marvels at Godzilla as the creature makes his way down the streets of New York in "Godzilla." On a scale of four stars, "Godzilla" gets: 1HHHMji ounrjiisii Journal staff writer If size does matter, then why does Godzilla change his several times during the course of the unavoidable new film? At one point, he's so big he can take out whole buildings in New. York City. At another, he's small enough to fit inside the subway system.

Inconsistent? "Godzilla" is. But that doesn't keep the mega-film from being a whole lot of fun. Once experts set out to trap him, the film is like a malfunctioning roller coaster. The ride never quits. Borrowing a page from several successful films (not the least of which is "Jurassic Park" and its sequel, "The Lost Director Roland Emmerich has created a film that seems to be the cinematic result of audience testing.

Moviegoers like fighter pilots? "Godzilla's" got plenty. Moviegoers appreciate nerds? "Godzilla's" got a doozie. Moviegoers enjoy bursts of humor? "Godzilla's" got bucketfuls. Considering the Japanese film which prompted this latest edition is a camp classic, it's amazing Emmerich was able to make it as dramatic as he does. The key is speed.

"Godzilla" whips from scene to scene. It may contain more edits than any other sci-fi extravaganza; it may include more locales than "Around the World in 80 Days." Its special effects are pretty special, too, even though it's entering this animated reptile domain as a wannabeto "Jurassic Park," Because we know how the technique is done, watching Godzilla plow down Fifth Avenue is hardly as thrilling as it once was. Now, the joy comes from seeing how seamlessly the animation blends with the live action. Much of the film takes place at night or in dark places which covers a multitude of sins. Godzilla's tail moves at warp speed, but it rarely takes out as many people as one might think.

Instead, cars, buses and cabs bear the brunt of his wrath, prompting one of the better chases in movie history. Naturally, the film's stars TV graduates for the most part are mere pawns in the big guy's chess game. The product of radiation overdose, Godzilla has journeyed from French Wonderful. 'Butworth' "Outrageous, outlandish, beyond brilliant tzdt movie." DnMAnm, godzilla; Polynesia to New York (don't ask why) to wreak a little havoc. To boot, he (that's right) wants a place lay a few eggs, so he stomps around town looking for a good nest.

An earthworm expert (Matthew Broderick) has been pulled off the Chernobyl assignment to figure out what's up with the big lizard. He encounters some really stupid military personnel, a mayor named Ebert (whose assistant is called Gene get the joke?) and his old girlfriend (Maria Pitillo), a low-level assistant at a television station. For good measure, there's also a gutsy television cameraman (Hank Azaria), a mysterious Frenchman (Jean Reno) and a pompous anchorman (Harry Shearer). All of the, human performers lumped together can't equal the force OniSIIlAL KwwmA 1 "Warren Beatty has r- made 1 movie that Is fast, funny, i furious nriaina IWUHMUM (12:00 12:45 1:15 2:00 2:30 3:00 I (12:20 3:15 3 $4.00) A A -TK djtunij 3:45 4:15 5:00 5:30 4.00) 276-2344 6:00 6:45 7: 276-2344 8:00 8:30 11:00 0 9:00 '10: i I Sponsored by: 1 rr THE I CITY "Cekbratmj Siauxland Pride" fm V-' JOHNNY DiPP Dziiicio tn 3 Siouxland fWs Channel V. V.

1 (f (US $4.00) 7l00 9.45 lift 'Awowii flOANiioini SNStoiitf'' Jvm Of ifjf im Of mr Oiomi City Bnplorcrc Opening tMiond DIoiv Got with special appearances by: The Lynns, Lonestar Gary Allan Sunday, May 31 Lewis Clark Park Gates Open at 3:00 p.m. Tickets on sale now at: Explorers Box Office, Sioux City Auditorium and all Ticket Master locations. Ticket Prices: Select Golden Circle Seats $35 General Admission day of show (12:15 1:00 4:00 4:30 $4.00) a1 878-2344 Bring your Iwn ChBirs cameras but leave the coolers at home For more information call the Explorers Box Office at 277-9467 1.