Godzilla Movies Could Be Better

[Tommy]

Godzilla Movies Could Be Better
by Tommy
Since writing my article “Godzilla Movies Suck,” I’ve received much criticism.  Many of you have attacked my views instead of being constructive.  Therefore, my only response is “Godzilla Movies Could Be Better.”  Despite cravings from Toho-Gojira Fantatics to see mindless mayhem, some of us would like to see Godzilla raise the bar.  In 1954 Godzilla became a testament to movie metaphor.  The film was praised for its serious tone and erie reference to the War.  Some of us are just looking for this kindof passion and devotion in today’s Godzilla.  I don’t apologize for anything I’ve written since I have not directed any comments towards any one individual (something that can’t be said of everyone).  But let’s look at one Godzilla movies that had potential.

“Godzilla vs. the Mechagodzilla” (1978) is my favorite of the old-school G movies.  The idea behind the movie was brilliant â€" pitting Godzilla against his mechanical double  who is remotely controlled by aliens.  This may not have been the first time the idea was spawned, but it maybe the most recognizable.  A flurry of “evil twin” movies have followed since â€" “King Kong Escapes,” “Army of Darkness” and “Judge Dredd” just to name a few.

Perhaps the most notable scene in G vs. MG is the “Oil Refinery Battle.”  The sequence lasts but a few minutes, but there’s a real sense of mood created.  The dark backdrop constrasted with the fiery blaze set by MechaGodzilla really ignited the scene.  The fight itself was visually compelling, except for the “oversized” Godzilla suit with metal showing through.  The powers of MechaGodzilla was well-felt through great technotronics and camera angles.  A real sense of seriousness is created when we realize Godzilla could be killed as he falls backward into the sea, with which blood begins to spout out.  All of this changed when the Professor states: “... I have a feeling MechaGodzilla is being remotely controlled by space aliens.”

Again we’re introduced to the whole Godzilla plot, human subplot that defines the old-school Godzilla movies.  The acting is at best sub par.  The riddle of King Seesar and the statue sequences were a bit tedious.  The film’s worst aspect is the development its characters.  They’re all very cliche: a dashing hero, an all-knowing professor, a curious newswoman and some secret agents.  It’s also disturbing that Godzilla displays all sorts of human antics.  The best parts of the human subplot happens in the space alien’s secret hideout.

Tommy

[systemcr4sh]

>A flurry of “evil twin” movies have followed since â€" “King Kong Escapes,” “Army of Darkness” and “Judge Dredd” just to name a few.

Are you hinting that those movies saw that movie and decided to steal the ideas? I hope not.

Also according to the IMDB King Kong Escapes was made in 1967, Which is before the godzilla movie you mentioned.

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0061868

-Dan

[Flangepart]

Hummm......I've always had a hard time takeing G seriously, if some elements are missing from the miso soup. For one, the fact that G is a terror to the nation of Japan as a whole, and the world by extention. The way the alien menace is handled is to laugh. They just come across as silly to me. G is an animal, and also a  mythic take on the dragons of legend, so his personality is by nature agressive and caotic, and moody. Looking at Godzilla, from the point of the human "Ants", is a key to defineing his menace. Look at the Gamera movies......they are the perfect example of what i think you mean to say. G Vs. MecaG is a silly movie, and so i would Misty it with no qualms. Not so the original 1954 film. Have you ever seen the film as it was suposed to be seen? Makes a big differance. Same with Varan the Unbelievable, in its Dai Kaiju Baran incarnation. Also, the G Vs. MecaG music is out of line for takeing Godzilla seriously, so this film is not on my list of "Keepers", as far as "Serious" G goes. G 2000 cames closest, for me, of the most recent G films, to what i percieve you ment to say. I've yet to see the two newest flicks (Dam you Squishy, you luckey sot!), but i'm hopeing to. For all the plot holes, Reigh of Fire does a good job with the tone, so let me know what you make of it. Still, in all, i believe the Original G 1984, with its scene of Gov. Officals defineing the international effect of such a creature,( Cut from the american release),  come closest to what you mean. Find it if you can, and remenber....Perry Mason is better in a court room, then a "News office".

[Chadzilla]

So you've seen the original Japanese version of Godzilla v MechaGodzilla and can tell the acting is bad.  Where'd you get it?  Otherwise you're complaing about the DUBBING which always hampers the actors original performance.  Just try watching an American film dubbed into a foreign language (DVD let's you watch all kinds of movie in French.  Escape from Alcatraz is weird and I understand that Ken over at Jabootu had a disturbing experience watch Smokey and the Bandit in French).  Matching a different actor's voice to a different actors performane is, in my opinion, a lose lose situation.  All Godzilla movies should be subtitled and released in the original Japanese language.  I some how doubt that those actors really go Mmmmm everytime they nod.

[Phantom 187]

I've noticed that in HK movies when they say me they point at their nose, too bad I'm totally lost on why they do it, it's probably a way to emphasize their position on a subject . You are right Chadzilla, there are many things lost in translations.

[StatCat]

Godzilla vs mechagodzilla was not made in 1978 it came out earlier in the 70s (72 I think but I could be wrong.) It's also one of my favorites (thank you King Seesar!) The last godzilla movie to come out before godzilla 1985 was 1975's terror of mechagodzilla.

[StatCat]

It's 1974- little off

[Akira Tubo]

"Many of you have attacked my views instead of being constructive."

Keep in mind this is not an attack, Tommy, this is criticism.

Your previous post was composed almost entirely of your views.  You provided little objective material upon which readers could comment.  The inflammatory title, "Godzilla Movies Suck!", surely did not prompt readers to be constructive.  Also, you presented the 1998 U.S. "Godzilla", a movie that is poorly made from many objective standpoints, as well as being generally unliked by Godzilla fans, as a superior example of a Godzilla movie.  The only objective evidence of its superiority you gave was its box-office, which is not an indicator of quality.

This post is better, aside from the inaccurate date of release for Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla.  A few minutes' research would have shown you it was made in 1974, not 1978.  Inaccurate information gives your readers the idea you don't know what you're talking about and makes them not take your seriously.

On to my responses to the content of your post.

I agree that the makers of Godzilla films should take his character more seriously.  There needs to be a continuity built up between films rather than a new one created with each movie.

From what you say about "Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla", I believe you want a human story that is compelling enough to do more than pass time between monster battles.  You're right, there's no reason why that shouldn't be.

However, if you haven't already done so, I urge you to seek out uncut, Japanese-language versions of the movies so you can see the acting as it really is.

Understand also that Godzilla movies are genre pictures, sometimes a mishmash of genres, and are subject to all the trappings of those genres.  In the early 70s, spy movies were huge in Japan.  As well, "Mazinger Z" and others had recently kicked off the Super Robot craze.  Thus, "Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla" was born.

[Cullen]

Akira Tubo wrote:

"As well, 'Mazinger Z' and others had recently kicked off the Super Robot craze. Thus, 'Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla' was born."

I always thought Godzilla v. MechaGodzilla was inspired, in part, by King Kong Escapes .  Also, wasn't Ultraman going around that time?  Wouldn't that have had more of an influence (as it did in Godzilla v. Megalon )

Just curious...

[Steven Millan]

           Thanks for a much,better,more structured view of your stance of Godzilla movies,for we Godzilla fans can all sleep a whole lot easier now.

[K-Sonic]

 I've been enjoying Godzilla movies for many years. To see both the American & Japanese versions are recommended (especially when letterboxed).
 The best one in my opinion is the first one. Both Japanese & American are enjoyable to watch. One of the most horrific aspects of these movies is the actual human death & casulties caused by Godzilla. And this is my problem with all the other movies to follow up to 1975 (I haven't seen Godzilla Raids Again).
 Seeing people fleeing in front of a rear projection screen is not horrific. Its cheesy. Seeing the Green Gargantua eat a woman and spit out her dress is memorable. This is what is sorely lacking in Godzilla movies.
 Another thing that kind of bothers me is the lack of blood. Sure there's a little bit here and there and you can point out the flicks that show it BUT, I do not want to see SPARKS fly out of Godzilla or any other monster when hit. I think this happens in one of the '70's MechaGodzilla movies.
 This brings another sore point: bad monster fights. Let's face it, King Ghidorah is a cool looking monster but he can't fight for nothing. He get's whipped HORRIBLY in every movie. I'm not saying all the monster fights are bad. Mothra vs. Godzilla is good. But the Gamera movies are far more violent, bloody and he shoots REAL FIRE! As bad as the Gamera monsters look, their fights are much more entertaining to watch. Godzilla movies have better destruction of cities, I'll say that for sure. And this is where King Ghidorah really shines.
 Let's look at Rodan. Another great movie introduction. Human tragedy is played up well. Rodan was a menace. So were the giant bugs. But then he might as well be Barney Rubble in the Godzilla movies. He's no terror there. Just a big buffoon monster.
 Let's face it there are great, good and just plain bad Godzilla movies. But none are as bad as the American Godzilla with Matthew Broderick. Well, Godzilla's Revenge & Son of Godzilla can be avoided as well. Ok, throw in Megalon, too. Angilas, King Ghidorah, Gigan, The Smog Monster, MechaGodzilla, Titanosaurus, Mothra (the moth, not the catapillar) and even King Kong all made Godzilla movies great and fun to watch. Add some kooky aliens to the mix and you've got kaiju galore! ALSO, Akira Ifukube wrote the most memorable and distinctive movie music EVER.
 I've only seen a few of the 80's-now movies and they seemed to be pretty good but those old ones have a special place in my mind.

[Akira Tubo]

>Also, wasn't Ultraman going around that time? Wouldn't that have had more of an influence (as it did in Godzilla v. Megalon )<

Perhaps, but I think it's more than coincidence that MechaGodzilla made his appearance at the height of the Super Robot craze.

[John]

>I some how doubt that those actors really go Mmmmm everytime they nod.

 How about the goofy character who seems to grunt before every line of dialog?

"Uhh, Godzilla's coming this way!"

"Uhh, the line broke!"

"Uhh, it didn't stop him!"

[Cullen]

Akira Tubo writes:

"Perhaps, but I think it's more than coincidence that MechaGodzilla made his appearance at the height of the Super Robot craze."

You're more than probably right on that.  With what little I know on the subject, I wouldn't want to argue the point any further than that.