With Pacific Rim proving to be an overall success, it’s no wonder why Warner Bros. would invest in yet another giant monster movie. This time, they decided to invest in the cinematic icon of Godzilla.

Immediately, this film had skeptics, considering the last (and only other) American-made Godzilla film was one of the worst films of the past 20 years. Could this second chance be America’s redemption? I am happy to report: yes.

For those that haven’t read my reviews before, I usually keep my reviews spoiler free in order to encourage others to see the film and make their own determinations, so plot details will not be included. I will not say this movie is my favorite of the summer, because it’s not. But I will say it’s on the upper tier so far.

This movie thrives on the build up of Godzilla’s presence. You don’t see his full shot until about a third of the way into the film. When you do see him, you don’t see him fight until the end. This may sound boring to hear, but it’s not. The film does a fantastic job building up the viewer’s appetite for destruction.

And boy does it deliver at the end. Godzilla’s victory easily claims the Kill of the Year thus far in 2014. Clearly, build-ups and visuals are the strength of this film. However, I will say it does have some weaknesses that weigh it down just a bit.

The main character, Ford Brody, played by Aaron Taylor Johnson, is simply boring. The middle drags out when they try to emphasize him and his family, and you really don’t care that much.

Brian Cranston, who plays Joe Brody, gives us a great, but short, performance in the first third of the film. Other than that, the characters aren’t really what keep you in your seat. It’s not terrible, but not on par to what it should be.

I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun summer blockbuster for a Friday night. It’s definitely worth the ticket price, so I encourage everyone to see it.