I've seen this thread for a while now, but i've never got around to posting on it.
Shocking as im probably one of the biggest whores for Godzilla.
And with Mori puting out a review of the new Godzilla dvd that just hit shelves, i figured now is better than ever to post.
Godzilla films are a weird section of cinema.
They're almost they're own genre. Not giant moster or mutant monster movies like what the US put out, but its own style of film.
Never have issues in the real world been presnent with a giant mutant dinosaur. Everything from Nucluar Destruction to the Horror of gentic tampering to enviormental safty have been coverd.!
Honestly for me, i've been a fan of Godzilla since i was 4 years old. My dad turned Godzilla 1985 on TV and being a redblooded american boy, i was fasinated with Dinosaurs at the time (what boy wasnt) And just something with Godzilla clicked, and i tormented my parents and family for the next 18 years with my obession.
I have watched all 29 Godzilla movies (including the american remake) at least 5 times a piece (some more so than others)
Now older, and more of a movie buff, I can see why people write off Godzilla films so easliy. They do come off goofy.
But thats just to an average watcher. To the people who hold stuff like Citizen Kane or the works of Kubrick high (there aint nothing wrong with that) they just poo poo godzilla films as crap cinema.
I say BAH!
Every Godzilla film is diffrent and is enjoyable on a diffrent level, dated effects and all.
Just like Star Wars or The Bond Films. Bond especially. Try to think up new ideas for a movie series that lasts over 20 films. It aint easy.
Take the Original Godzilla. A serious Noir film about the horrors of radiation and war. Just presented through a giant monster.
King Kong vs. Godzilla: Patriotic cock fight!
Godzilla vs. Mothra: Capitalist greed!
Destroy All Monsters: Fun eye candy like todays major blockbuster films
Godzilla's Revenge: Latch key kids can be dangerous!
Godzilla vs the Smog Monster: Give a Hoot, Dont Pollute
Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla: Japanese Exploitation films.
Godzilla vs. Biollante: Dont fuck with what nature inteded.
Godzilla vs. Mothra and Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 2: Man vs. Nature
Godzilla vs. Destroyah: death is sad
Godzilla 2000: How to make up for America fucking it up.
GMK: Respect your elders, and never forget
Godzilla against MechaGodzilla: Politcal Propaganda!
Godzilla: Final Wars: Sensory Masturbation
Thats not every film, but fuck, each one has something to offer.
From the best to the worst. They are all entertaining pieces of work. The problem with people today is that we're use to big budgets with lavish effects and yet, Godzilla movies still go old school and use Men in Suits which gives it certin feel.
And like Star Wars, there is a rabid following. While not as vocal as Star Wars fans (who are more assholes than godzilla fans), they both share a fond love for both series, and if you ask both, most will tell you that it stems from childhood.
Hell, just like star wars, there are huge casts of charecters that can be whored for merchandising purposes:
Example:
Hell, heres a horrible example of such merchandising!
Basicly, dont just write off Godzilla Films.
Go back and watch some. Some from the early years (and compare them to american monster movies, the quality is suprisingly better) to the modern day fx heavy popcorn films.