Rating: 
Summary: The original... it still scares me!
Review: Since the first time I saw the movie on television during the late 60's I have found it frightening. Produced and released in Japan in 1954, this was Toho Studios first entry in the giant-monster genre, their answer to the West's "Giant Behemoth" and "Beast from 20,000 Fathoms". With a production budget of close to the U.S. equivalent of one million dollars (a large expenditure for a Japanese movie in those years), Toho created what was to become an international "classic". Instead of using the popular stop-motion technique, they chose to employ an actor in a monster suit, miniature buildings and ships, and a large water tank from which they were able to create an effect of considerable realism. The fact that this movie was shot in black-and-white, along with Akira Ifubuke's dramatic music score, created a very errie and gloomy quality to the film. Considering the available technology, the special effects, overall, are pretty good. One major flaw is the use of odd and different-looking puppets of Godzilla's upperbody and head. There are at least three with distinctly different looks... one with oddly-focused eyes... seen primarily when he sprays his atomic breath. There are also some scenes in which the composite photography is sloppy (especially compared to later Toho films)...understandable considering this was the studio's first attempt at making such a motion picture. There were, however, several impressive sfx scenes. I'm sure there was much trial-and-error and learning going on with the special effects crew. Overall, the American version (originally released in the U.S. in 1956), with the inserted footage of Raymond Burr, is fairly well-done and blends in well with the Japanese version. My general impression of the film, after having seen it many times over the years, is that it is more creepy and suspenseful than any other description I can use. I do not consider this movie to be one of the best of the series, but was a fine initial effort by the studio and certainly "set the stage" for the many Toho monster films to follow.
Rating: 
Summary: OH NO, THERE GOES TOKYO!
Review: I first saw this movie when I was three years old. It is one of my most vivid memories from childhood. I just watched it again tonight. I remembered GODZILLA destroying Tokyo. I didn't remember Raymond Burr. As an adult, this movie seemed a lot more boring than it did back in the day. The original version was deemed too "japanese", so we added our own americanized scenes to placate american audiences. I see this as a mistake. The scenes with Burr (as a reporter) were totally unnecessary. They are obvious afterthoughts, and delay the attack of our true hero for far too long! Let's face it, this isn't Othello. Bring on the big lizard! Start the explosions already! I love Godzilla and will always get a warm feeling whenever I think of him, but his mass destruction and radioactive-fire breath are the only reasons to watch him. GODZILLA KING OF THE MONSTERS does have an excellent final 20 minutes or so. It's worth the wait. I recommend fast forwarding through the dull narrated parts. I still give it 4 stars because of Godzilla's march through Tokyo. An absolutely perfect scene of total mega-carnage! This is the ONLY time I've ever seen the guy in the rubber suit look good! Check it out for yourself...
Rating: 
Summary: The Best of the Best...Even WITH Raymond Burr
Review: For any movie to merit a sequel, or 22 sequels for that matter, it has to be special. "Gojira" stands on the lofty summit with "Dracula"; "Frankenstein"; "Forbidden planet"; "War of the Worlds" and "2001: A Space Odyssey" as one of the great science fiction films of all time. What we have here is a synergy of a monster tale, a moral dilemma, and a powerful anti-war message. Together the film becomes a visionary tale of man trying to survive the fury of the Atom bomb made flesh. It examines the consequences of our sins, and asks directly if we have learned from our mistakes and what we are willing to do to prevent making those same mistakes again. "Gojira" is about the green big one, yes, but it also examines like no other film in the series the consequences of the monster's rampages. "Gojira" was made to be a drama first, a science fiction fantasy second. The film portrays real human suffering because of Godzilla's depredations. This draws the viewer wholeheartedly into the struggle of the Japanese people as they try to survive this catastrophe. As a drama, "Gojira" invests the time to develop characters who we can in turn invest in. Dr. Serizawa's dilemma at using his invention to save Japan at the possible cost of the world is brilliantly acted. As is Emiko Yamane's torment at having to betray her fiancée to a man she really loves in order to save Japan from Godzilla. The film doesn't shy away from messy solutions either. Like most science fiction films, the scientist uses an invention to destroy the monster at the end of the film. Unlike most science fiction films, the scientist chooses to die with his invention rather than let it be used for evil ends. It is this kind of daring and innovative filmmaking that lifted "Gojira" above the multitude of other 50's radioactive monster films onto a level all its own. The final testament to the power of "Gojira" is that it is the only old Godzilla film that is not diminished when adapted for an English speaking audience. Rather, the addition extra scenes with Raymond Burr as reporter Steve Martin, add a clever and worthwhile perspective to the action unfolding in the film. If you only watch one Godzilla film - make it this one.
Rating:
Summary: Let's put it into perspective
Review: I own three DVD versions of this same movie.The Simitar version is the best.I also did widescreen and fullscreen comparisons. The Raymond Burr inserts are definately cropped but the japanese footage does offer a slight bit more picture.At first you lose top and bottom of the Burr scenes then as the film progresses the top of the picture is matched in both formats but you lose alot more at the bottom.Now I have not been blessed to have seen the original japanese presentation of this great monster movie,but I hope to somehow,someway.But we're supposed to review this version.IT'S DEFINATELY THE BEST OF ITS TYPE even with Raymond Burr.Better than The Giant Behemoth,better than the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms,better than Gorgo,way better than Reptilicus and far better than the 1998 american version that bastardize the name Godzilla.The only one I can think that offers cinematic competition is 20 million miles to earth.Can you imagine if Ymir grew to Godzilla size? What a fight that would have been.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie lousy presentation...
Review: Godzilla King of the Monsters. The title says it all. Not the first, nor the last, not the biggest but certainly the baddest. In this movie we see no cuteness, no fun and games, no friggin cutesy wootsey with little bumbling Japanese kids. In this film we see a walking, stalking city destroying nightmare. Walking armageddon with atomic breath. For the first and last time we see the human consequences of having a firebreathing dragon destroying one of the largest cities in the world. People burned, maimed, irradiated and over it all the thunderous sound of his footsteps and the savage cry of a beast born of nature and man's twisted science of destruction. Sigh if only the DVD were worthy of the subject matter. Why in Heaven's name are we stuck with what looks like a copy of a print someone used to grate cheese. It's full of pops, streaks and the dubbing good lord. Why can't we get the undubbed original without Raymond Burr???!!!! Is anyone listening?
Rating:
Summary: Godzilla Lives!
Review: ----As a note the American version of the DVD was edited a lot, and raymond burr was added in, the uncut version (Which I hear will be out on DVD some time soon) was a lot more dramatic, or at least for a country that at the time was still living in a post nuclear bombing phase. ----
Wow it sure is amazing. When I was kid back in 94 and beyond we would be watching dubbed tapes of Godzilla VS the Sea monster and other things, and let me tell you, those were great times. BUT I never got the cahcne to watch to classic motion picture "Godzilla: King of the monsters" till recently. Now at the time this film came out, it was amazing, because at the time there were no computers, or anything to really do any amazing special effects, with that said and done everything actually looks pretty good, even though you can tell what millitary veichles and cars were models, everything is actually kind of conving. And for Japan this was kind of a hard movie to swallow, in the origanal version there were scenes when a mother held her child and said "Its okay, we will be with daddy soon." before Godzilla crushed them. Many scenes like that were edited or removed, and if you notice there is a scene on a train where people are laughing, but what they cut out was when a woman said "I survived the (I forgot what the city was called) bombing." and some guy laughed and said "Then you wont surive this." momets before Godzilla picked up the train and ate it (which is one of the MOST popular Godzilla images, Godzilla with that train in his mouth) It was probably very hard for the Japanese people to stomach seeing a monster spawned out of nuclear testing destroying their city, so shortly after millions died from atomic bombings. One beef I have, is that sense the film was in black and white it was some times hard to see Godzilla during the night shots (That or my TV had low contrast or something). And the whole Raymond Burr thing. But let me tell you, With the deep soundtrack (You can hear the original versions of many rememberal Godzilla songs here) and other things you seem to have a real sense of terror when Godzilla destroys the cities. Overall I would suguest this film highly, even though it is in fact edited (Almost 30 minutes were removed, and 20 minutes added with Raymond burr) from the Japanese version, it is still a good watch, and afterthe uncut editon comes out, it will be interesting to have the "Old American" version. (I think they were going to put that on dvd, wernt they?)
Rating:
Summary: Godzilla or the U.S.
Review: Obviously the U.S. appears to be a gigantic radioactive monster in this movie. It was what they potray the U.S. to be at that time, and I would have to agree with that. Gojira rocks!
Rating:
Summary: The Original Japanese Monster Movie
Review: This is the original Japanese 'man in a lizard suit' movie, and is still very respectable despite being 48 years old. This movie is a gritty, darker type of Godzilla movie than the films that follow in the series. In this one Godzilla is clearly the bad guy (not so in many later incarnations) and obliterates Tokyo. As is virtually always the case in films of this genre from Japan of that era, the movie is essentially an anti-nuclear cautionary tale, and as such is vastly more effective than most of the films that followed in its footsteps. Originally a 100 minute (or so) movie made in Japan with an all Japanese cast, the film was edited to its present 78 minutes and Raymond Burr was added as a reporter to position it better at the American box office. Although this was probably unnecessary, Burr acquits himself well, and it is not jarringly edited like some films in which additional scenes have been added later. It's a given that the special effects are cheesy, but that does not denigrate this as a meritorious film. The acting and script are quite good, and the scenes generally are done quite dramatically, using the actors and sets to good effect. No fan of sci-fi should be without this, the original, and still best, Japanese monster movie.
Rating:
Summary: Fine but.......When will TOHO smarten up??
Review: While it's nice to see this US edtion being available, TOHO needs to get their rear-end in gear and get a collector's set on the market.....Why isn't the original Japanese version available with English subtitles in the US? It's in the theaters in selected locations now...so the additional costs would be marginal. But why stop with just the first film....We really need a set of all 24 of the G films with additional materials done right....cleaned up transfers....US and Japanese versions when applicable.....Until they do this I think real fans should boycott the shabby versions. If they have a marketing department worth their yen, they should be well-aware that the demand is there and the time is way past due!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: The rise of the King
Review: This was made along time ago before the original Little Shop of Horros was shot. This was the king of scifi first film. Lots of actions destruction and may han. The special effect could have been better most of this film I rate 3 to 5 stars. The act is great Godzilla is intimidate. The death of tragic Dr. Hizaro change me. It cares a good less I show how humans careless nature often gettings then caugh up in dangerous and deadly situations. I am a Godzilla fanatic the firtst film I saw was Godzilla Versus the Sea Monster I was realy young about may be 6. At first I hate it and had nightmares. Then I got older about 10 I fall In love with it and started collected them I have all of them Today except for Godzilla Vs Smog Monster, Godzilla Raids Again, Godzilla Revenge, Godzilla Versus Meglarus, and Godzilla aganist Mecha Godzilla. This was very good for his first movie I will contiunue to watch godzilla for the rest of the life know until the afterlife.
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