Your favorite Godzilla movie.

[jp]

Since I just went on a massive Godzilla movie buying binge (I think I have 18 or so now)... had to make a topic about it.


Anyways, my all time favorite "cheesy" Godzilla flick is Godzilla vs. Megalon. Megalon is my all time favorite kaiju, and it really bothers me that he's one of the only classic series monsters excluded from Godzilla Final Wars (yeah yeah, no Mechagodzilla either, but thats understandable). Close tie for second by Godzilla vs. Gigan (which I'm watching now actually). Also loved Godzilla vs. Hedorah, but hippies make my teeth hurt... so...


On the more serious front, my fav. is Godzilla 1985. Raymond Burr is awesome, and despite what more "hardcore" fans would say, I feel his addition makes 1985 that much better (I will concede that the localization of the original was kind of bad though, even with Raymond Burr).


I also love all the Mechagodzilla flicks.

[Ord]

Do you know....I have never seen a "proper" Godzilla movie. Just that god awful remake from the guys that did Independance day and I walked out of the cinema half way through that movie because it was as shit as shit could be!

[professor ganson]

Probably the new King Kong movie. The first 2/3 of the movie is quite good. The part on the island is really well done-- lol funny, really.

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

I'd have to go for Godzilla Vs Megalon too. Jet Jaguar is awesome.

[Ramus]

Godzilla vs. Destroyah. Probably just because "Destroyah" is a funny name for a monster. Maybe they'll make a new movie called "Godzilla vs. Fuckyouupbutwilleventuallydieafteralongbattle." If they did, it would surely take my number one spot.

[jp]

I'd have to go for Godzilla Vs Megalon too. Jet Jaguar is awesome.

Yes he is. I'm so glad he made it into the 2nd Godzilla fighting game thingy.


Ord, you should definitely check out a "real" Godzilla movie. Might I suggest Godzilla 2000? Its easy to find, all around solid, and a great movie for beginners to the series.

[Bloodreign]

I always found Mothra to be the oddball of the monster flicks, a protector of two little princesses. O_o

I don't remember if Godzilla fought Mothra, but I swear I remember seeing it as a kid. Though the props looked like the toys they were, still entertaining to watch the spiked spined lizard tear ass. As for the U.S. Godzilla flick, as far as I'm concerned it doesn't exist, it's a disgrace to the big lizard whose existance came from the nuclear scare of the 1950's.

[jp]

I always found Mothra to be the oddball of the monster flicks, a protector of two little princesses. O_o

I don't remember if Godzilla fought Mothra, but I swear I remember seeing it as a kid. Though the props looked like the toys they were, still entertaining to watch the spiked spined lizard tear ass. As for the U.S. Godzilla flick, as far as I'm concerned it doesn't exist, it's a disgrace to the big lizard whose existance came from the nuclear scare of the 1950's.

Godzilla fought Mothra numerous times. In the 4th Godzilla movie, Godzilla vs. Mothra (1964), Godzilla fought Mothera. Then Godzilla fought Mothera in "Destroy All Monsters". Then, there was a second Godzilla vs. Mothra movie where Mothra teamed up with its sworn enemy, Battra, and the two fought Godzilla. Then in "All Monsters Attack" Godzilla fought Mothera. And finally, in "Tokyo SOS" Mothera and the 3rd iteration of Mechagodzilla team up to fight Godzilla.

Oddly enough, Mothera could almost be considered Godzilla's arch nemesis, despite the two working together in a handful of movies (Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, Godzilla Final Wars). Also, I think Mothera fights Godzilla in 5 movies whereas Godzilla's true arch nemesis, King Ghidora, appears in 8 movies, and is an enemy in all of them.

King Ghidora is an awesome kaiju though.

[Moogs]

Godzilla: The Final Wars is... interesting. Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus, Alive, Skyhigh, the cutscenes in Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes), it's basically a rubber suit royal rumble of sorts.

Gotta love when Godzilla faces the American Godzilla... and makes extremely short work of him.

[jp]

Godzilla: The Final Wars is... interesting. Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura (Versus, Alive, Skyhigh, the cutscenes in Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes), it's basically a rubber suit royal rumble of sorts.

Gotta love when Godzilla faces the American Godzilla... and makes extremely short work of him.

Final Wars definitely had its moments... but damn, did they have to have THAT much human parts in the final Godzilla flick? Well... final unless you count the newly announced IMAX movie. Bleh.

[Thunder Force]

Godzilla Vs. Monster Zero. Now that was entertaining... (Haven't seen Final Wars or many others.)

[DC906270]

i remember watching a Godzilla season of films that were shown one xmas on channel 4 here in the uk , ive always liked Godzilla films but i cant match up any of the titles to the ones ive seen

you can get excellent godzilla merchandise in japan, i saw a die cast godzilla model which was really nice but it was selling for About 5000yen (£25). also i saw a set of godzilla enemy monster figurines (dont know the technical term) in a rather nice display case for sale but i didnt have the space in my luggage to take it home japan has to be THE place to go for the most useless/pointless (but desirable) novelty items around but the price of -some of the them is shocking

[CMoon]

Well the best of the lot is still the first one (54), which can't be had in the US in its proper form, only a very badly edited version w/ hacked soundtrack and insertions of Raymond Burr. For those who can do multi-region there is a nice, legit region 4 of it with english subs. This film stands up well with the golden age of Japanese cinema, and humorously even shares actors with Seven Samurai and other classic Kurosawa films--in fact, if the film hadn't been treated the way it has, it would also probably be held abroad as a serious entry in classic post war japanese cinema.

The second one (I can't even think of the name of it now) is not nearly as good, but still tries to be a serious film. It is also the last b&w godzilla.

Everything after that is really a huge joke, though there are plenty of memorable moments. I really enjoy the 90's series, especially the vs. mechagodzilla and the vs. king ghidora installments. And of course in the current millinium, the 'against mechagodzilla' was also pretty damn good and weird (perhaps some anime influence on that one.)

As far as things like Megalon, I think those 70's ones are really the worst. Not even good as camp. I think at this late point in the game they wouldn't even entertain little children, so it must be nostalgia that drives those who want to watch that period of Godzilla. Really, why not just watch power rangers instead?

[CMoon]

Godzilla vs. Destroyah. Probably just because "Destroyah" is a funny name for a monster. Maybe they'll make a new movie called "Godzilla vs. Fuckyouupbutwilleventuallydieafteralongbattle." If they did, it would surely take my number one spot.

Actually there is a reason he's called Destroyah and it is stupid. Merchandizing. You know the monster is named Destroyer, named after Oxygen Destroyer, and in some of the original fansubs, the movie is called Godzilla vs. Destroyer. They just came up with this Destroyah name (it is after all just a 'Japanification' of Destroyer anyway), so they could trademark it.

Oh, it also seems there is a UK version of Godzilla 54 coming out, so if you are region 2 and speak (er read) English, there you go...

For us Americans, this is still the way to go (that and a region free player):

[CIT]

Best: Godzilla

Worst: Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster

My personal favorite: Godzilla 2000

[Andi]

I saw a pretty decent one recently on TV recently called Destroy All Monsters. It was made in 1968 and featured Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, and a few other monsters battling these aliens. It was choice.

If not that, then (as popular opinion on this thread shows is true) Godzilla Vs. Megladon all the way.

[jp]

Well the best of the lot is still the first one (54), which can't be had in the US in its proper form, only a very badly edited version w/ hacked soundtrack and insertions of Raymond Burr. For those who can do multi-region there is a nice, legit region 4 of it with english subs. This film stands up well with the golden age of Japanese cinema, and humorously even shares actors with Seven Samurai and other classic Kurosawa films--in fact, if the film hadn't been treated the way it has, it would also probably be held abroad as a serious entry in classic post war japanese cinema.

http://www.rialtopictures.com/godzilla.html


Its coming to the US. Just gotta wait a little bit. In all of its uncut, non-US-tampered with glory.

Though I must confess, I much prefer Godzilla 1985 to the Japanese counter part. I like Raymond Burr. I just wish the original hadn't been screwed up so bad.


The second movie was called Gigantis:The Fire Monster. In the US it was called Godzilla Raids Again (though they called Godzilla Gigantis in that one too. Bleh!) That was also the first time Godzilla fought a monster, since he fought Anguris in it.

[CMoon]

http://www.rialtopictures.com/godzilla.html


Its coming to the US. Just gotta wait a little bit. In all of its uncut, non-US-tampered with glory.

That deserves a beer raised in celebration...oh shit, already there.

[dok_industrial]

as godzilla was my hero growing up (some loved superman, some loved the lone ranger...not me), i've seen just about every single one at some point or another. as far as my recommendation goes:

for cheesy godzilla, i really have to recommend the entire "heisei era" of godzilla movies. these were all made in the late 80's, early 90's and includes the following:

godzilla 1985
godzilla vs. biollante
*godzilla vs. king ghidorah
*godzilla vs. mothra
*godzilla vs. mechagodzilla
godzilla vs. space godzilla
godzilla vs. destroyah

each has their own special somethings which make them worthwhile.

for the "serious" godzilla, naturally the original, preferably in its original version if you can lay hands on it. after that, i seriously recommend:

GMK: godzilla, mothra, king ghidorah, all out monster attack

this flick was made within the last 10 years or so, and was directed by a guy who had successfully resurrected another japanese monster franchise, gamera. like the gamera movies, the movie attempts (and by and large succeeds) in incorporating the idea of giant monsters in a "real world" context. for example, japan has a severly restricted army b/c of their actions in world war II; an attack by a giant monster would entail a staggering amount of politicking to simply allow a military response. the movie also focuses on the "human elements". after all, it's easy to forget that two big animals fighting in a city normally kills large numbers of people. in short, what you have is essentially a disaster movie; except that instead of an earthquake or fire, you ahve a group of giant, extremely powerful (and in some cases, angry) monsters.

[CMoon]

http://www.rialtopictures.com/godzilla.html


Its coming to the US. Just gotta wait a little bit. In all of its uncut, non-US-tampered with glory.

Ugh, should have followed the link first. That was a theatrical showing of the film. I sent them an e-mail asking them if there would be a dvd release and they said they were only doing the theatrical presentation. *sighs*

[jp]

http://www.rialtopictures.com/godzilla.html


Its coming to the US. Just gotta wait a little bit. In all of its uncut, non-US-tampered with glory.

Ugh, should have followed the link first. That was a theatrical showing of the film. I sent them an e-mail asking them if there would be a dvd release and they said they were only doing the theatrical presentation. *sighs*

Damn... that sucks. I knew it was for a theatrical release, but I was hoping this also meant a DVD release was soon to follow, given that that company does do DVD production.


As for the person above me:
You consider Godzilla 1985 one of the cheesy ones?

[dok_industrial]

>As for the person above me:
>You consider Godzilla 1985 one of the cheesy ones?

for the purposes of this conversation, yes i do.

godzilla 1985 has laser tanks and UFO-resembling superjets. additionally, the entire heisei set of films (which ramp up the silliness considerably) are intended as "direct sequels" to 1985. GMK, on the other hand, is made as a direct sequel only to the 1954 film, with none of the other films considered as having "happened" in the movie's timeline (a trait common to the most recent set of films, from godzilla 2000 onwards). also, in comparison to 1985, the tone of GMK is much darker and more serious.

now this is not to say that GMK doesn't have some moments of cheesiness (as elements of mysticism, magic, and spirits is used in various ways throughout the movie). however, i personally consider these elements to be more features of japanese culture. in the here and now, a japanese person is likely to believe in evil spirits and magic influencing the world. a laser shooting tank, on the other hand, remains fantastical science fiction, no matter your cultural background.

please also keep in mind that none of this is necessarily considered as points against godzilla 1985. i've seen it an embarrassing number of times, and it will always have a special place in my heart. however, i don't believe that it is the "serious piece of film" that the first movie has become and to which GMK aspires.

[Dylan1CC]

Tie between the 1954 original and Destroyah. Both are so amazingly moody and executed very well. I was really annoyed that none of our theaters here got the Rialto pictures re-release of the Japanese "cut" of Gojira a few years ago.

Runners up are Biollante (the final showdown in the lake is so cool) and the Hesei G vs King Ghidorah.

Kaiju fans here also definitely need to check out Shushuke Kaneko's modern Gamera trilogy, amazing movies.

Also, I watched Final Wars with a couple of friends last night. I loved it. My only gripe is that the monster melees are too short, but as a "monster fest" it is better and much more action packed than Destroy All Monsters. It was great to see Gigan and Angilas back as they are two of my favorite kaju from the older movies.

And although GINO's (Godzilla USA) death was too quick I still got sadistic pleasure out of seeing it. "Worthless tuna eating monster!" I didn't mind Manilla was in it as the movie was very nicely done as a send up of the 60s G movies. The U.N. girl was so hot, and no kiss from our hero? :rolleyes: They looked at each other back and forth 3 times in the last scene as if to say "I wonder if TOHO will let us kiss in this shot...oh, guess not." :p

Oh and the humor was great. I loved the big american Jesse Ventura'esque guy with the mustache and broad kitana. Alien woman: "You wouldn't hit a lady would you?" smiles *SLAP!* You seriously could make so many "owned" gifs out of this flick. Kaiser Ghidorah was cool but again, last fight was too short like all the others. Otherwise a very enjoyable Godzilla movie with more "energetic" fights and cool assists from Mothra and other kaiju.

GMK is overall a very good G flick too although it was pretty rediculous how Mothra and Ghidorah kept coming back from the dead.

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

GINO

So, does any else read Twisted Kaiju Theatre?

[jp]

GINO

So, does any else read Twisted Kaiju Theatre?

I read a bit of it but then lost the link. Funny stuff... but definitely not work safe.