If the premise sounds like Transformers vs. Godzilla to you, you're actually not that far off. The difference to Michael Bay films is simply: this one here has a heart and a brain. What also makes it work so much better than Transformers and its "bigger-louder-dumber"-comrades is the fact that you actually care for the characters. That and the mind-blowing special effects, of course, which belong to the best you've seen on the big screen to date, especially (even?) in 3D.
The fights are huge but don't bloat up the film as much as you'd think. There is no scene that doesn't serve a purpose, especially during the slower first act. Fortunately you can tell the creators of Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy are behind this, when it comes to the love for details and production design. Everything is just a little bit weirder than in your regular blockbuster production, even though director del Toro clearly is flirting with Hollywood mainstream here and probably would have delivered an even weirder film if he could have.

You can't deny that the story is reusing quite a few elements seen before in similar films, but somehow the composition still feels fresh, also thanks to a really good cast. Idris Elba and Ron Perlman once again prove to be kings of cool, the rest works great as well. And finally and refreshingly, the USA is not alone in this fight and doesn't just defend its own coastline against the monsters from the deep, the world is facing this threat together.

A fun ride that takes its audience and premise seriously and still has a blast by just going crazy with it.
Also, make sure to stay for the best after-credits scene to date.

8 out of 10 elbow rockets.