Is it really too much to ask that we get a Godzilla film where you get to see the title creature doing battle in broad daylight? I kept asking myself this question throughout the unspooling of the sequel to the 2014 reboot of Godzilla, a film that I also wasn’t that impressed with due in large part to the absence of the title creature for most of its running time. In this film we get lots of Godzilla onscreen but since he’s doing battle in the rain for about 90% of the film, getting a good look at him and his monster counterparts (Rodan, Mothra, etc.) is a tall order. Of course, everyone knows that rain is a good way to conceal inadequate special effects which is likely the case here.

The unfortunate decision to have most of the action transpire amidst various types of precipitation might be okay if the film in question were actually any good. Sadly, the story, which concerns some mumbo jumbo about letting these creatures do their worst as a way to keep nature in balance, doesn’t offer much either. Most of the film’s stars- Vera Farmiga, Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins and Kyle Chandler- come across as mostly bored and just going through the motions for the financial reward that must have been received for their participation. Well, sometimes you gotta take one for the team I suppose, which is apparently what they did.

Godzilla is playing everywhere.

Questions or comments? Write Adam at [email protected].