Graduation weekend is always busy for me, and tomorrow’s Wake Forest Commencement promises to be more exciting than usual with Jill Abramson as the speaker. I’ll likely have more to say on that tomorrow and may tweet live from the speech (@MaryMDalton).

Today between Baccalaureate and Academic Departmental Receptions, I took a break and went with a couple of friends to see Godzilla.

When I was nine-years-old, I went with a group of neighborhood kids to see Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster. I think I really liked it but can’t remember much in particular about the movie.

That was about the same time period when I enjoyed Blacula and Dr. Phibes Rises Again at the cinema while preferring to watch classics at home on our PBS affiliate and also the Dialing for Dollars Movie series, which aired for years locally on WGHP.

Though I’ve seen other movies featuring the giant monster (both older and newer) since, Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster is my strongest recollection of Godzilla until today, and – as established – it is pretty weak.

Here are my general impressions of the new release:

It was about what I expected, and it’s doubtful I’ll give the film another thought after posting this.

The film would be better if it were half an hour shorter.

The movie starts out stronger than it develops and finishes.

The casting is somewhat inspired – American favorites Bryan Cranston and David Strathairn, French star Juliette Binoche, English talent Sally Hawkins, and internationally familiar Japanese actor Ken Watanabe – and includes international names and faces to enhance worldwide marketing opportunities.

I love that Godzilla is a good guy and so cute.

So, should you see it? If you like Godzilla movies, sure, go check it out. It’s not great, but it sure could have been a lot worse.