The Godzilla Thread

[Zandrax]

In this thread, I will give spoilery reviews of every Godzilla movie ever made.

Gojira (1954)



Terrific film when watched in its own right. This is my first time watching the original.

As some of you may know, "Gojira" is the Japanese name for Godzilla. The original, unaltered film was not readily available in the States until recently. This is the version free from Raymond Burr and the obvious editing to make it more American. In this film, there is no central hero, as is common with some Japanese stories. The weight of the film is not in the hero vs. villain, but the reaction to a tragedy.

This was originally intended as a stand-alone film, as monster films were not a full fledged genre at the time. Gojirah was believed, but not explicitly stated, as being either created or awakened by use of The Bomb. Many tragic elements were cut from the American release, such as comparing Godzilla's destruction to that of Nagasaki, because there was fear an Anti-American statement would be made. Another emphasis was the large loss of life Godzilla was bringing about in his rampages. In later films, the huge destruction showed very little effect on humans (maybe they had Godzilla-drills so they would be prepared). But this one shows two girls and their mother huddled in a corner, with the mother holding them tight saying "We will be reunited with father again..."

Unfortunately, most other 'Zilla films don't have the depth that this one has (a love triangle, an emphasis on science and not military, only one real action scene, and the defeat of the creature in its own lair rather than a huge battle). It is in many ways still one of the truly great monster films, as there are ethical questions dealt with by the main characters throughout the story.

Another fun little fact I found out. Many of the buildings depicted as being destroyed in the film were real Japanese landmarks... including a premiere movie theater that the film wound up being show in.

Imagine seeing a movie where the theater you're sitting in is destroyed onscreen...

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gojira/

And finally, this is 93% at Rotten Tomatoes.


Awesome = Akihiko Hirata

EDIT - Adding in Firsts Lasts and Onlys with appropriate info for each film

Firsts:
-appearance of Godzilla
-appearance of Akihiko Hirata (as Dr. "Eyepatch" Serizawa)

[Zandrax]

Godzilla King Of the Monsters (1957)



Entertaining, but nowhere near as serious or thought-provoking as the original. The anti-war and nuclear message were trimmed way down, and the result is a different feeling movie.

This film runs 80 minutes, while the original was nearly 100 minutes. Plus, many scenes were trimmed or eliminated, making way for Raymond Burr's constant voice overs and pipe smoking. Burr plays Steve Martin (20 years before the comic actor came along), and American reporter en route to Cairo, but lays over in Japan for a few days. This of course just happens to be the time that Godzilla attacks. He sometimes interacts with the characters from the original, but they're scenes that are obviously heavily edited, or utilize stand-ins from a back view to hide the face in the shot.

As a result of the editing, much of the characteristics of the main players are reduced. Emiko and Dr. Serizawa's arranged marriage is almost a footnote. Emiko in this version tries to tell Serizawa (or as I called him, Dr. Eyepatch) but he keeps cutting her off and going on to something else. In the original, Dr. Eyepatch was able to see that Emiko was in love with another, and knew that the breakoff of the engagement was only a matter of time. He loves her, but is totally devoted to his science. She respects him greatly, but loves him more like a brother.

The American film also begins immediately following Godzilla's rampage, something that doesn't happen until over an hour into the original. The majority of the rest of the story is told in flashback by Burr.

The resolution is the same. Dr. Eyepatch's "Oxygen Destroyer" was created in secrecy, and is used to literally dissolve the flesh from Godzilla's bones. But in the American version, the heroes try to reel him back up, but find only a ripped cord. Dr. Eyepatch's self sacrifice saves the country. Burr closes out the film by saying "The menace was gone, so was a great man. But the whole world could wake up and live again."

In the Japanese film, Serizawa realizes the dangers of the Oxygen Destroyer. And knows as long as he is alive, its secrets could fall into the wrong hands. "Humans are weak animals. Even if I burn my notes, the secret will still be in my head. Until I die, how can I be sure I won't be forced by someone to make the device again?" After all, it was mankind's fascination with war and The Bomb that brought about Godzilla, and now nature was paying them back. So he decides before going in that he would die after unleashing the Oxygen Destroyer on Godzilla. His final words are to Emiko and her love, Ogata. He says "Farewell, and be happy together...".

The film's other scientist, Dr. Yamane, closes out the original by saying "I cannot believe that Godzilla was the only surviving member of its species. If we keep on conducting nuclear tests, it's possible that another Godzilla might appear somewhere in the world, again." This didn't seem to be a foreshadow to a sequel as much as it was the heart of the message. This message is pretty much left out of the American version, which is a little frustrating.


"Perry, I think you're a little out of your league here..."

So in short, it is an entertaining film in the "giant monster suit" sense. But it doesn't hold a candle to the original in terms of character and quality.

[Zandrax]

Godzilla Raids Again (1955)



Inferior sequel in just about every way, shape, and form. About the only cool thing about this was the Dr. Yamane cameo. They explain that another Godzilla lives on an obscure "Odo Island". He is first seen by a pair of downed Japanese pilots that scout fish for a fishing company. The two see Godzilla and Anguiras plunge into the sea and fly off to Japan to warn the others.

Big G and Anguiras fight in Osaka. The fights are damn near comical because, unlike the previous film, the fight scenes are not slowed down to make the monsters appear huge. They are in fast motion, giving a "Benny Hill" feel to the fight.

'Zilla beats Anguiras, then swims off to another snowy island. The Japanese Air Corps then shoots missiles at the mountains to encase Big G in ice.

On a scale of 1 to 10, this one gets about a 4, because it is nowhere near the original. It looks campy, which separates it from the original. The original Gojira is truly a great piece of film making. This was just an attempt to cash in on the aura.

Firsts:
-film not directed by Ishiro Honda
-film to not feature Akihiko Hirata
-appearance of Anguiras, as well as the first time Godzilla fights another monster

Lasts:
-Black & White Godzilla film

[Zandrax]

The American version of "Godzilla Raids Again"

I can only assume that the name "Gigantis" was used because Americans wouldn't buy another creature by the same name "Godzilla". Again, this is inferior, but the editing is understandable given the audience.

Again, there are a lot of narrations. This time done by the character Tsukioka. A lot of explaining is done that fishing is a big job in Japan, and that pilots are used frequently to scout for fish. This is not explained in the original, for obvious reasons.

The narrations throughout the film aren't nearly as distracting as they are Raymond Burr's in the 1956 American Godzilla. They do summarize the movie well for an American audience. The rest of the film unfolds much the same, minus a few changes in dialog.

This one also scores about a 4. Just not a very good film, even by monster schlock standards. Trivia buffs may like to know that one of the main characters is vocie by a young George Takei.

Last:
-Film to heavily use voiceovers to tell the story

[MSTJedi]

These are very interesting. I've seen most of the Godzilla movies out there, but not all of them. Even drug my friend to see Gojira when it came out in the theaters a while back. Raids Again is one of those I haven't bothered with because I've heard how bad it is. I'm curious to see a true Godzilla fan's take on all of the other films I have and haven't seen.

[Zandrax]

Well, I'm glad there is somebody who cares. I have all the reviews written up, but I didn't want to post them all at once.

There's really nothing must-see with the American Raids Again unless you really want to hear George Takei squee about finding schools of fish.

[Bob]

Ooooooh, thank you for posting this.

I love godzilla movies, but I have never seen the "non-Burr" version before.

Amazon.com has this one on sale...... just purchased and should be here Wednesday!

[Zandrax]

Ooooooh, thank you for posting this.

I love godzilla movies, but I have never seen the "non-Burr" version before.

Amazon.com has this one on sale...... just purchased and should be here Wednesday!

Good to hear. There is some fascinating stuff on the commentary track.

[Bob]

Ooooooh, thank you for posting this.

I love godzilla movies, but I have never seen the "non-Burr" version before.

Amazon.com has this one on sale...... just purchased and should be here Wednesday!

Good to hear. There is some fascinating stuff on the commentary track.

Awesome!

[Zandrax]

King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)



Nowhere near as entertaining as the title would suggest. It's unfortunate, though part of the blame probably falls on the fact that there are two different versions. The American version is heavily edited.

This version has "Eric Carter, your UN news reporter", who looks like younger, more handsome Bill O'Reilly. The summaries of the stories are told by Carter, and two UN correspondents. Godzilla is awakened by the crash of a submarine in a glacier field. No direct connection is given between this and "Godzilla Raids Again", but Big G was encased in snow and ice at the close of that film.

Anyhoo, 'Zilla starts heading for Japan. Meanwhile three dunderheaded reporters head to Ferro Island, where a god is worshipped by the local natives. The god is of course Kong, who is somehow alive and about ten times larger than he was in the original King Kong. Kong fights an overgrown octopus, then drinks some "berry juice" and falls asleep. Must be some potent brew. While Kong is asleep, he's tied up to a raft and shipped back to Japan where he can pose as a mascot for an agency. Kong wakes up, swims off, and eventually confronts Godzilla.

The end result is one of the most anticlimactic fights in monster movie history. Godzilla flaps his arms... Kong beats his chest.... Godzilla flaps his arms... Kong throws a rock.... Godzilla flaps his arms and breaths fire.... Kong wrestles with Godzilla.... Godzilla throws him back and then flaps his arms.... Kong gets struck by lightning.... Godzilla flaps his arms....

Between all this stone throwing and arm flapping, the two fall into the water... but only Kong comes to the surface and swims off. Roll credits.


"Hey, it even comes with little doll chairs!"

The original Japanese film was meant to be a straight up satirical comedy on advertising and marketing. The man who wanted the film in America wanted a climactic sci-fi battle. So he edited a film meant to be a comedy into a more serious film. Of course, some of the actors look like they are trying to be funny, especially Mr. Tako who lays claim on Kong for Pacific Pharmaceuticals. This of course adds to the campy feel of a film that is otherwise an attempt at sci-fi elsewhere.

I give this a 3 out of 10 because of how disappointing it was given the two characters involved.

As far as the Japanese version goes, it is only slightly more entertaining.  Still nothing to write home about. The main differences are the quick advertising gags for fake products, and the constant gag of Pacific Pharmaceuticals saying "King Kong is our sponsor" to get anything they want.

So it comes down to the American version (comedy re-edited to be more serious) which became a movie that didn't know if it was serious or not, or the Japanese version which was a comedy and never meant to be taken seriously in the first place. Neither is a great option, but the Japanese version is only slightly more watchable due to it being a comedy from the getgo.

Firsts:
-color Godzilla film
-Godzilla is not top billing
-Godzilla's first loss to another monster
-Film to be made as a straight up comedy

Last:
-Film to feature American shot footage (for 22 years anyway)

Akihiko Hirata Role: Dr. Shegizawa (NOT Dr. "Eyepatch" Serizawa)

[gojikranz]

oh boy i will chime in on this as you go along.  as you may guess im a big fan.

first film is clearly the best film and pretty much every film after needs to be judged compared to the others rather than comparing it to the first. 
also the first film is the first appearance of kenji sahara in a bit part on the boat hes gonna be showing up a whole lot more. japanese version 10/10 american version 7/10 (gotta give it credit for making a film like this palatable in the US and really making Godzilla a international icon)

and raids again is the first film scored by masuroh satoh who would go on to score a few more, never to the level of ifukube but hes got some good stuff(i love the mechagodzilla soundtrack)  but yes this film is fairly bland, i recall i gota  bootleg of this back when it was nigh impossible to find and i was very excited to finally get to see it and it really underwhelmed me 3/10

i still havent seen the japanese version of king kong v godzilla but the american version is a travesty.  i cant wait till universals rights revert to toho than maybe classic media can release another great disc. great godzilla design though to bad kong looks so rough 3/10

good work looking forward to seeing some more! 

[Zandrax]

One thing I think I forgot to mention is that Raids Again was written, produced, and filmed in something like six months. This shows greatly in the quality (or lack there of) in the film.

[Bob]

One thing I think I forgot to mention is that Raids Again was written, produced, and filmed in something like six months. This shows greatly in the quality (or lack there of) in the film.

Are the other commentaries any good?

[Zandrax]

One thing I think I forgot to mention is that Raids Again was written, produced, and filmed in something like six months. This shows greatly in the quality (or lack there of) in the film.

Are the other commentaries any good?

I think I can say this. The DVDs that are worth getting are the Toho Master Collection ones. You will see these as the ones that are wrapped in silver, such as Godzilla Raids Again. These not only have great commentary tracks that give info which I only hint at here, but they give both the Japanese and American versions of the films, in case you want to see what the difference is.

Now granted there are two movies that I cheated on and watched the MST versions of. But I think you can guess which ones they are...

But Gojira is worth buying on DVD, even if you don't like subtitled films. It's just that trendsetting.

[gojikranz]

all the commentaries are great IMHO.  although watch out one of them has commentary from mst3k hater himself stuart galbraith IV

ill say more about godzilla v sea monster later but i think you owe it to yourself to see that one unmstied if you like godzilla.