In today's review, I will be covering a classic Godzilla film that was released 10 years after the original
Gojira. This movie is an overall fun flick, but has a short final battle and not much of the titular character.
The story is as follows: a princess from a mountain nation is coming to make negotiations with Japan, when a strange voice tells her to get off the plane, which was rigged to explode by assassins. Though presumed dead, she appears the next day informing the people about Ghidorah and how he will destroy the world. It doesn't take long for people to recognize it is the princess, and the Shindo, the main protagonist assigned to protect her, must protect her from the assassins assigned to kill her. Earlier, a mysterious space object had landed in a valley; after some strange occurrences, it proves to be none other than Ghidorah's pod. As he begins carving his destructive path, Mothra, Rodan, and Godzilla all intervene and join forces to combat and drive away the space dragon.
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| OUCH! MY BOOTY!!! |
This movie has an excellent plot with good characters and decent monster designs; however, I think that Mothra should have been in her Imago, or full-grown, form. The special effects were okay, and some parts of the movie were especially funny. At one point, when the monsters were fighting, Mothra spewed silk at Godzilla; seeing this, Rodan began laughing. However, the joke was on him, as he was covered in a silky mess as well; ironically, Godzilla laughed back at him. That is one instance I thought was funny and really brought up the movie. Comic relief becomes a staple in the series, as well as Godzilla's heroic actions, which are only seen in the 60's and 70's Godzilla films, otherwise known as the Showa series.
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| SURPRISE!!!!! | |
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This movie's monster battles, while good, are seemingly short, and Ghidorah, one of my favorite monsters (please refer to my Top 12 list of Godzilla monsters for information on my favorite kaiju) doesn't have as much screen time as he should in his debut film. The only other nitpick I have with this film is the acting when the princess is under her trance. At first, I thought she was really an alien! Turns out an alien was possessing her? Still confused about that. Oh, and I can't remember the other girl's name, either.
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| Thanks for the ride! |
Overall, this film is one of my favorite Godzilla films, despite its flaws. If you don't mind old-style special effects and Godzilla battles, then this film deserves a watch.
My Final Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Good Godzilla film, just not the best.
See you when I review
Gojira!
Godzilla 2014 comes out tomorrow!
Wow awesome summary, I like this film, although it is not my favorite in the same form is quite entertaining to watch, the characters are acordan pretty well with the story of the film, I love how you describe every thing in a way very well, keep it small friend you go very well, it is quite pleasant for my reading all this, you are very clever and please continue with the updates , a big hug!
ReplyDeleteChristian Fernandez Ramirez !
Thanks, Kaleb, for your great review of the original Gojira. Loved your captions on the pics and your comments. I have not seen the original, only the dubbed American version with voiceovers and brief inserted footage of American journalist “Steve Martin,” played by Raymond Burr. Was it essentially a dubbed and edited version of the Japanese original that you reviewed?
ReplyDeleteAs you pointed out, Gojira is “one of the greats,” that decades later inspired some scenes in Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. Remember the giant T-Rex footprint and the earthshaking thumping of the approaching footsteps of the T-Rex?
And Godzilla is a film of many layers and metaphors.
It only recently dawned on me that the following debate in the American version between Dr. Serizawa and Ogata of whether or not to use the “oxygen destroyer” somewhat reflects the moral dilemma President Truman faced when he considered using the then-new atomic bomb to end World War II.
Ogata:
• You have your fear, which might become reality; and you have Godzilla, which IS reality.
• Dr. Serizawa
The Oxygen destroyer must not be used!
• Ogata
If we do not defend ourselves from Godzilla now, what will become of us?
• Dr. Serizawa
And what will become of us if a weapon, such as I now have, falls into the wrong hands?
• Ogata
Then you have a responsibility no man has ever faced. You have your fear which might become reality. And you have Godzilla, which *is* reality.
Anyway, Kaleb, looking forward to your review of the new Godzilla and maybe the old American version this summer. Hope that you have a wonderful summer!
Uncle Bob