Why Critics Loved Godzilla: The Power of Trailer and Marketing

The Rotten Tomatoes score isn’t always a reliable indicator of a movie's actual quality. This has been evident in the case of Godzilla (2014), which received a high score of 90% from critics despite my personal opinion that it was a very good movie.

Understanding the Rotten Tomatoes Score

Rotten Tomatoes essentially asks a simple question: was this movie ok or not? A score of 90% means that 90% of critics found the film watchable—not necessarily great, just not terrible. This can lead to confusion when the score is conflated with a 90 percent rating, making it look like a much better film than it is.

Taste and Opinion Divides

Tastes are subjective, and opinions vary widely. I, for one, thought that Godzilla was a very good movie and a GREAT Godzilla movie. After seeing the film and looking at the scores on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes, my initial reaction was exactly the opposite: how could it have received such mediocre reviews when it was so awesome?

The Power of the Trailer

One of the key factors in Godzilla's reception was its trailer. It was one of the best teaser trailers we've seen in over a decade. Similar to the 1998 film, the trailer created a lot of anticipation and hype, which often sways critics and audiences. It's not just about the movie; it's also about the build-up and the excitement it generates.

A notable example is Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Despite many critics giving it a four-star review, it became a point of controversy almost immediately. Roger Ebert pointed out how anticipation and hype put blinders on film lovers, leading to decisions that they later regretted. The same principle applies to Godzilla, even if the hype was on a smaller scale.

Marketing and Box Office Performance

Marketing and trailer quality play a significant role in a film's success. Godzilla had a strong trailer and a well-executed marketing campaign, which likely contributed to its success. The domestic opening weekend brought in a robust 93 million dollars, with an overseas opening of 100 million, indicating strong international demand. However, it's expected that the second weekend will see a significant drop-off, which is not uncommon for franchise films.

Despite the initial success, Godzilla's legacy is likely to be short-lived. Sequel talk is already happening, and this underscores the importance of strong marketing for sequels. While there is always an audience for such movies, many will likely forget Godzilla in a short period. Nonetheless, its success shows the effectiveness of a well-crafted marketing strategy.

Conclusion: A Lesson in Marketing

The lesson here is clear: a great trailer and marketing campaign, accompanied by hype, can result in a short-term financial boost but may not leave a lasting legacy. Studios will continue to invest in strong marketing strategies for upcoming films, knowing how Godzilla's success was achieved. It will be intriguing to see how future blockbusters follow this template.

So, the next time a big-budget film gets hyped on a massive scale, remember that the initial enthusiasm might not last. The power of marketing cannot be underestimated, but genuine quality and longevity often require more than just a great trailer and hype.