Rating: Summary: Terrific Kaiju!! An instant classic! Review: After the disappointments that were GODZILLA 2000 and GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS, I prayed that GMK would be an improvement. It was: a MAJOR improvement! I mean, this movie has EVERYTHING! I repeat, EVERYTHING that makes the Kaiju genre so great. I was actually impressed with the human story this time around, and the acting was way above average (the dubbing wasn't too bad, either). The film begins very mysteriously, and builds with an intriguing and original plot until the monsters are finally unleashed! I was a bit confused with that whole plot about Godzilla containing all the souls of those Asian souls lost in the Pacific War (?), but the rest of the plot was really cool. I was also a bit disappointed with the Godzilla suit; it looked too much like a crocodile, and they should've given him real eyes with pupils, not just blank white orbs. It was, however, a big improvement from the previous suit. I was not disappointed with the actual Godzilla. This isn't just the lumbering lizard that he was reduced to in the last two films. No, this Godzilla is smart and quick-witted, which made tha monster battles all the more exciting. And they returned his atomic fire breath to its original blue color! That said, I wish the filmmakers had extended the battles a little. I thought the other monsters were beaten a bit too easily, especially Baragon. But the battles that were there were excellent!! These were some of the best, if not THE best, I've ever seen. The newly designed monsters look terrific, though it took a little while getting used to Ghidora's new look (and new role as Earth's defender, not destroyer). Plus, I'm so happy that they actually included Baragon and gave us a good look at him. He's always been one of my favorite monsters, but I could never really get a clear view of him. Like I said, I just wish they had used him a little more and elongated his battle with Godzilla.The special effects are spectacular, too! The monster suits are incredible, the blue screen well-hidden, and what CGI there was I had a hard time finding. This was a big step up from GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS, which had some of the most pitiful FX work in any Godzilla film I've ever seen. The music in GMK was alright, and I wasn't nearly as distracted by it as with GVM, but dang I miss Akira Ifukube! Minor complaints aside (and believe me, they are minor), GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK is some of the best kaiju you're ever likely to behold. What expectations I had were completely blown away, and I can't wait to see GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA. Hopefully, that and its upcoming follow-up will continue the great success of GODZILLA, MOTHRA & KING GHIDORA, a modern Kaiju masterpiece to be placed in every Godzilla-phile's library.
Rating: Summary: Grey and mean! Review: This is an interesting episode in the Godzilla saga. Once again TOHO has re-written Godzilla's past. In this story, Big G has not been seen since 1954, but everyone has a funky feeling he'll return one day. And he does. But this time, there are three Guardian Monsters- Baragon, Ghidorah, and Mothra- to stop him. This is a very mystical film that may be hard to fathom by American audiences. For example, Godzilla is powered by the souls of those who lost their lives in the Pacific War. So he is now a force of vengence, and not a "force of nature" as stressed in previous movies. Bad guy Ghidorah is now a good guy. Baragon is a lame monster. TOHO won't learn- 4 legged monsters just don't work (it's obvious the man inside is walking around on all fours). One thing that really sets this apart is that Godzilla is seen killing people. Folks get trampled, burned, and buried under rubble and earth by Big G. This Zilla has a bad attitude. Japanese, with English subtitles. A nice addition to your Big G collection. Now if only they would re-make King Kong vs. Godzilla.
Rating: Summary: Great movie, terrible DVD Review: I love "GMK." With proper subtitles, it's the best Godzilla movie since the original. A lot of fans complain about the plot because, frankly, it comes across as garbled and silly in the American version. But I think it's a great idea to make Godzilla a possessed creature; it's an effective way to tweak and modernize his character. But sadly, this American DVD cheapens the film's attempts at drama and depth by adding comedy dubbing that does not reflect the original script. Yes, the DVD has subtitles, but they're based on the dub - so they're not accurate either. Just how bad is the translation? Here's just one example: on the Japanese DVD, one of the soldiers says: "We're not allowed to open fire on Mothra." On the American DVD, he says something on the order of: "Damn, that's a big, flying bug." Sorry, but that's a disgrace; can't we make a serious adaption of these films, or must we turn them into dumb, unfunny farces? Virtually every line has been changed to make the characters seem stupider and more melodramatic. If you like Godzilla because it's stupid, by all means, buy this; but if you like Godzilla because it's good science fiction, pass until a better translation comes out. No wonder people don't give this movie enough credit - they haven't seen an accurate version! Nice print and all, but in all the areas that really count, this DVD stinks.
Rating: Summary: Subtitles Superior Review: I saw the dubbed & edited version of this film in August 2003 on the Sci Fi channel. The edited version was hardly the same film as important pieces of the story had been removed. The Japanese language subtitled version is far superior. One of the better Godzilla films.
Rating: Summary: Kaneko's Godzilla Review: Mr. Shusuke Kaneko has always wanted to direct a Godzilla film. Well, folks he finally got his chance. Widely acclaimed by fans as the best film of the series since the original(of course), this movie takes a darker look at Godzilla and adds several mystical elements. Such as: Godzilla has been possesed by the forgotten dead of WWII, and three holy monsters are summoned to stop him. Sounds good so far? Right? Well, it gets better. The cheesy special effects that often plague a kaiju film are done away with and we are given beautiful CGI effects and magnifecent explosions. Thye acting is great and is easily as good as anything Hollywood can cook up(that's right you heard me). The monsters in this film are amazingly well done. Baragon is revamped and is given a great tooth and claw battle with the big G himself. Mothra is given an agile body and beautiful wing movements. Godzilla is given a horribly evil look and very white eyes. And, well Ghidorah is given plastic looking heads and stumpy wings, well nothings perfect. All in all this is a very good film that should not be passed up. So go and buy a legitamate copy, a liter of coke, three bags of popcorn and let the good times roll.
Rating: Summary: The bad Godzilla is back to stomp tokyo! Review: After redefining Gamera for a new generation, writer/director Shusuke Kaneko got his chance to helm a Godzilla film and attempted the same thing. He was, from my view, successful. Yet again, the only movie GMK Giant Monsters All-Out Attack has any connection to is the first. After nearly fifty years Japan is slowly forgetting about the monster that destroyed Tokyo. Too bad, because the spirts that died in the Pacific Conflict (aka WW2) have infested the Big G with a healthy dose of rage. Three 'Holy Beasts' (Mothra, former bad guy King Ghidorah, and Baragon) are brought to life to battle the attacking beast and save Japan. As with his Gamera movies, Kaneko infuses his take on Godzilla with a serious and realistic mood (although glimpses of humor can be seen). He also reinvents the creatures as supernatural beings, which may not sit well with old school purists, but it works within the context of the story, so I cannot hold it against the movie. Kaneko continues to show that he is the rightful heir to the serious minded kaiju movie crown previously worn only by Ishiro Honda. An essential for any Godzilla fan.
Rating: Summary: Classic Japanese Giant Monster Movie Review: Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, for all of its updating of the genre of kaiju eiga (Japanese Giant Monster movies) with its thrilling special effects, moving story and titantic monster battles, is really an homage to the golden era of these films, the 1960's. GMK is easily the best Godzilla in decades, as it connects modern social commentary with ancient myth in the form of the Yamato Seishu, the Ancient Guardian Beasts of Japan, summoned forth to fight Godzilla, now driven by the souls of the victims of the Pacific War. Horror and humor, irony and great spectacle, so characteristic of this type of film, make GMK one of the best entires in the Godzilla series. Director Shusuke Kaneko, who helmed the Gamera trilogy of the mid-to-late 90's, taking the genre to new heights, brings his unique vision and style of story telling to GMK. Do not expect to find a cheesy monster movie here with unconvincing effects and no plot. GMK will arrest your imagination and take you somewhere you have not been. This is a stunning giant monster film, the best in the series after the original 1954 Gojira. If you are new to the world of kaiju films, this is an excellent place to start. Get this DVD, and watch how the great battles unfold and the fate of Japan hangs in the balance.
Rating: Summary: One of the best Godzilla movies of all time. Review: This is definitely near the top of the list of best Godzilla movies of all time. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is that I don't think Godzilla movies are the greatest movies in the world in general, so even the best of Godzilla movies only deserve 4 stars. Except maybe THE best one or two Godzilla movies of all time might deserve 5 stars...but this movie is probably just below. Though released in the 2000 era...this is not really a part of the Godzilla Millenium series. The costume is not the same as Godzilla 2000 or later movies...and his flame breath effect has reverted to blue. However, the flame effect is also unique and technologically impressive in this movie, so this movie is definitely well done. It appears that respectable effort has been put into this movie to make it the most authentic-to-the-original 1954 black and white Godzilla movie yet. The costume, though new (I would hope) does bear a resemblance to the 1954 design, as opposed to the various designs which Godzilla has gone through over the years (several redesigns/costume changes in the 60's and 70's....followed by mainly one new design for the 90's Godzilla series...and now the 2000 design). The flame breath also has some authenticity to the cheesy smokey effect of the 1954's Godzilla, but is way more visually impressive and destructive. About the only gripes one could have with this movie are 1) the cheesy plotline regarding 3 mythical saint monsters who are destined to combat Godzilla, and 2) Giant Monsters All-Out Attack does NOT describe what this movie is about. There are 4 monsters in this movie, but quite a few Godzilla movies in the past featured just as many monsters without being called "Giant Monster Battle" or anything similar. This movie is really just "Godzilla vs King Ghidorah IV" and that's it. Past clashes between G and Ghidorah have all involved at least 3 to 4 monsters as well, and this one is no different. It's not the monsterfest that the title suggests (I was hoping for another "Destroy All Monsters" but this isn't it). In fact, the monster battle matchups in this movie ironically mirror that of the original 70's Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla. Once you've seen both you'll see what I mean. All in all, this is a great movie. The directing was great and exciting, and the movie and fight sequences action-packed. Music is also above average for a Godzilla movie. Very well done, and an excellent tribute to the 1954's original Godzilla.
Rating: Summary: A good movie Review: Unlike with the first 22 films none of previous films are connected to it expect the very first Godzilla movie made way back in 1954. Godzilla has returned to Japan to destroy Japan. In this movie Godzilla is possed by the soul of Japanese and Americans who were killed in the Pacific war. It also bring back three other monster . Mothra and King Ghidera. The puny not so popular Bargon. Lots of destuction and god fighting scenses. Problems made Godzilla to powerful. Made Mothra, King Ghidora and Bargon to week. These three the guarding monster fight to defeat Japan. All three of them are defeated by godzilla. Godzilla is still defeated. By the three monster transfering there life force into godzilla's body at the end of the move weakens godzilla. To the point that it can be destoyed. All of godzilla body is destroyed. One annoying thing about this DVD was the dialogue was not budded or tampered so all the dialogue is in Japanese. So unlesh you have the American subtitles activated you can't under stand a darn word any of the charaters say.
Rating: Summary: AWESOME Review: When i first heard about this movie, and heard Baragon was in it, i said NO way, cause, i say Destroy All Monsters, and i hated Baragon. But seeing this movie made me think, man Baragon is Hot!!!!Godzilla, Mothra, and Ghidorah are awesome in this Movie. Also, I heard about the Director of Gamera Doing this movie, and i loved Gamera, so it was awesome, I dont know what some of you are talking about with no music, or very few fight sequences, this is movie is Godzilla #2, (#1 being King of the Monsters) I have always loved Godzilla, and this can show you why, also, if you can, get the soundtract, because its awesome, If ur a G fan, youll be shockjed by how good this movie is.(to all of you, i am 13 years old, and i have seen every G movie, i am the #1 fan, its says 12, but i swear im 13, born in April 91 on the 9th)
|