Godzilla 2014 vs. Godzilla 1998

Writer: Casey Chong

The "Godzilla" monster is terrorizing the city!

When Warner Bros first unleashed the long-awaited "Godzilla" teaser trailer late last year, the reaction from critics and audiences worldwide were overwhelmingly positive. No doubt one of the biggest and must-see summer movies of 2014, Gareth Edwards' expensive reboot of "Godzilla" will be stomping into the local cinemas everywhere on 15 May. Not to mention that it stars Bryan Cranston from TV's highly acclaimed show "Breaking Bad" with "Kick-Ass 2" star Aaron Taylor-Johnson!

In conjunction of the upcoming release, we've picked out 5 different improvements fans and general audiences can expect between the new "Godzilla" and the previously mediocre attempt of the Roland Emmerich-directed "Godzilla" back in 1998. Wait. What's that behind you? G-G-Godzilla!

Concept art for the new "Godzilla".

If you watched the latest international trailer for "Godzilla", the biggest moment in the new footage revealed is nevertheless the one involving Ken Watanabe's character of Ichiro Serizawa's sure-to-be memorable line, "Let them fight". Compared with the 1998 version of "Godzilla" which is nothing more than watching the monster stomping and tearing New York City apart like it was made out of toasted bread, we can expect the new "Godzilla" featuring not just the iconic monster itself, but other creature as well!

(L-R) Bryan Cranston and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in a scene from "Godzilla".

Okay, the cast in the 1998 version of "Godzilla" were actually recognizable name stars such as Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno and Hank Azaria. But seriously, whoever thought it was a good idea rooting for Matthew Broderick in the lead role? Even his co-stars such as Jean Reno and Hank Azaria were mostly reduced to forgettable performances. However, the all-new cast for the "Godzilla" reboot is blessed with a strong and classy acting ensemble. And that includes screen veterans such as Bryan Cranston, Juliette Binoche, Ken Watanabe and David Strathairn. Not to mention, the two most sought-after young stars of the moment: Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen (who both will appear next summer in "The Avengers: Age Of Ultron").

The new "Godzilla" monster.

When Roland Emmerich's version of "Godzilla" was shown in the cinemas back in 1998, many people (especially the fans) were disappointed by the creature design that is reminiscent of a mutated cross between the "kaiju" monster and the T-Rex dinosaur from "Jurassic Park"! But judging by the trailers that have been revealed so far, fans and audiences can breathe a sigh of relief as the design of the iconic monster is in the good hands of director Gareth Edwards.

One of the destruction scenes from the 1954 version of "Godzilla".

This also means that it won't be a campy movie like the Roland Emmerich's version of "Godzilla". Instead, Gareth Edwards will be heading to a more somber direction that's also inspired from the original Ishiro Honda's 1954 version of "Godzilla". If you have watched the 1954 version before, the Japanese monster-movie classic was a frightening allegory of the World War II as well as the nuclear holocaust.

One of the epic action scenes from "Godzilla".

It's not that the Roland Emmerich's version of "Godzilla" isn't epic or anything. In fact, the previous version has plenty of big action and big effects. But what surprised us the most is Gareth Edwards' unique ability to adapt from his low-budget debut of 2010's "Monsters" to his first big-budget Hollywood blockbuster, "Godzilla" in terms of handling large-scale production filled with elaborate special effects and epic action sequences like a seasoned pro. And unlike the Roland Emmerich's version which leans towards more on the family-fun factor, the new "Godzilla" makes the epic destruction seen in the trailer look scarier and emotionally engaging at the same time.

"Godzilla" opens in cinemas nationwide on 15 May.