Rating: Summary: Like it will kill them to put some bonus features on this. Review: What all the Godzilla movies released on DVD have in commen is that there are no bonus features on them at all. Just the movie and sometimes a theater trailer, what's wrong with them. Like it's against their code of ethics to put some bonus features on these DVD's like a making of featherette or an audio commentery, or something.
Rating: Summary: Godzilla family values Review: "Son of Godzilla," directed by Jun Fukuda, is one of the most fun of the Godzilla movies. In this film, a group of scientists encounter the legendary "King of the Monsters" while conducting weather experiments on a tropical island. When a mysterious egg hatches into a "baby Godzilla," the big monster becomes a reptilian father figure to the playful youngster. A horde of monstrous bugs show up for the traditional monster battles.This "Godzilla" movie seems to be directed towards a younger audience; it is more exciting and funny than scary. The enjoyable antics between "Dad" and baby are enthusiastically portrayed. The film as a whole is well complemented by Masaru Satoh's funky, energetic score. And the monster battles are well done. Although the "silly" quotient of the film may turn off fans of the serious original Godzilla, I think that this sequel should be enjoyed for what it is: an entertaining sci-fi fantasy. The final scenes of "Son of Godzilla" contain some of the most haunting and poetic images ever filmed for a giant monster movie. If you are a fan of the Japanese giant monster genre, you won't want to miss this delightful film.
Rating: Summary: Bad Godzilla Movie, Excellent DVD Review: "Son of Godzilla" is one of my least favourite Godzilla movies. Not reaching the heights of unintentional comedy that the likes of "Godzilla vs. Megalon" achieved, and far from being an exciting monster movie like the original "Godzilla," this is an unmemorable, rather dull entry in the series. The human plot is even more boring than usual, the monster battles are practically non-existent, Godzilla's foes are appallingly sub-par, the Godzilla suit disappointing, and his son, Minya (or Minilla) is better left undiscussed. The one redeeming factor are the optical effects, which are surprisingly good and better than in previous entries like "King Kong vs. Godzilla." The DVD from Columbia is nothing short of a revealtion. For the first time in North America in widescreen (2.35:1), the sharp and colourful image quality makes the film look a lot less cheap than it used to. For purists, the disc offers English dubbed audio as well as, also for the first time in North America, the original Japanese track with English subtitles. Also included are some random trailers, including one for Columbia's line of Godzilla DVDs and the Japanese teaser for "Godzilla: Tokyo SOS."
Rating: Summary: Perhapes the most bizzar movie I have ever seen. Review: As of the early 90's, giant monster films have been enjoying a level of sophistication (and I use this term loosly) that they have never seen before. While the concept of a man in a giant suit destroying tiny models is always appealing to fans of the genre, it can now be done with an ever more increasing level of technical prowess and realism. In short, monsters like Godzilla can do things that are, essentially, just plain cool.
Conversly, the film in question is certianly NOT indicative of anything mentioned above. In fact, it is perhapes one of the most bizzar Kaiju movies that I have ever seen in my life. Godzilla is made to look more appealing, and he sheds his image of terror for one of fatherly benevolence. To complete this process Toho gives the king of monsters a costume that, disturbingly, makes him look like he has severe autism. The only thing worse than Godzilla is his 'son', Minya --who can best be likened to the Michilan Man. All is well though, as the movie is laughably funny, however not really my first choice when I get an itching to watch some kaiju induced destruction --as there really is none. Interesting as a curiosity, and representative of the more, shall we say, "so bad it's good" godzilla, Son of Godzilla is somthing that only old school G-fans should look at. This is really a two star movie, with the third star added for the origional japanese audio track, which is included on this dvd (as well as on every other '50th anniversary' re-release).
For a more "sophisticated" look at Godzilla, check out the original "Godzilla versus the Thing" (aka, Godzilla versus Mothera) or the newer, "Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S".
Rating: Summary: TOP NOTCH TREATMENT FOR GOLDEN AGE GODZILLA Review: Finally some effort went into bringing the Golden Age of Godzilla (Godzilla, King of the Monsters to Destroy All Monsters)to new life. This DVD release of the 8th in the Godzilla series is full of vibrant color, quality sound, and presented in wide screen format for total viewing enjoyment. This is the original Japanese version with some opening footage that was cut from the American release. It as original Japanese (english sub-titles)and dubbed English (although not the same dubbing as common american release). One truely sad note is that the DVD has no extras to speak of, even if the extra were in Japanese with no sub-titles I'd think they would be worth watching.
The story is a simple one, scienists on a remote South Sea island are conducting weather experiments when they come accross a gigantic egg. The egg hatches into a baby godzilla who gets into several scraps with titanic mantis (Gimantis in America / Kamacarus in Japan)and a huge spider god (Speiga in America / Kumonga in Japan) that only the BIG G himself can rescue him from mortal peril.
Where does SOG fall into my Golden Age of Godzilla scale?
#1 - Godzilla vs the Thing (the best of the series)
#2 - Destroy All Monsters
#3 - Monster Zero
#4 - Godzilla, King of the Monsters
#5 - Ghidrah, the Three Headed Monster
#6 - Godzilla vs the Sea Monster
#7 - Son of Godzilla
#8 - King Kong vs Godzilla
#9 - Gigantis, The Fire Monster (the worst of the series)
A must for fans of Godzilla and fun family entertainment without computer generated creatures.
Rating: Summary: ENJOYABLE ENTRY IN GODZILLA SERIES! Review: I've never been a really big fan of Godzilla, but I do have a soft spot for this adventure in the big green guys exploits. In this enjoyable outing, we meet the big lugs little son ( GWAA, GWAA ), some giant mantis and a rather silly looking spider. Pappa 'Zilla has to teach junior the in's and out's of life as a rampaging monster, including how to blow fire ( the kid keeps blowing tiny smoke rings, instead), and how to defend himself from his prehistorical enemies.
The story follows a group of intrepid scientists experimenting with changing the climate on the monster filled island. Its fun to watch and occasionally moving. And take a good listen to the films title music. Doesn't parts of it remind you of Jerry Goldsmith's score for "ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES"? Or is it just me?
The new anamorphic widescreen DVD is a pleasure to watch. Picture and sound are very nice and the best feature of all, for me at least, is the ability to watch the film with the original Japanese soundtrack instead of the poorly dubbed English version ( which is also included). Listen to both and compare the two. I think you'll see how better the film plays in Japanese. English sub-titles are, of course, included.
There are a handful of trailers but no other extras of value. The good news, coming soon, is one of my other fav Godzilla flicks, "GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER". I know, its not the best of the bunch, but it was the first film I saw starring the Big G when I was a kid, so its a sentimental favorite.
Godzilla fans rejoice! And enjoy! - George Bauch.
Rating: Summary: Great DVD!! Review: Son of Godzilla is an okay entry in the series, although it's a bit thin in the plot department. Minya is so cute! He reminds me of a baby monkey. Thankfully he doesn't speak in that Don Knotts-esque voice as he does in Godzilla's revenge. I am very pleased and impressed that Columbia/TriStar is releasing classic Godzilla movies in beautiful widescreen prints, especially those that were not in the Simitar collection (all of which I thankfully own)!! I was surprised to see scenes, including the introductory one that were cut from the US version that is on video. I am looking forward to future releases, hopefully including Godzilla vs. Megalon and Terror of MechaGozilla in remastered/widescreen versions.
Rating: Summary: Here comes Junior! Review: Summary: Godzilla and Son versus giant insects on a remote island. So-so Godzilla film featuring the first appearance of Godzilla's "son", Minya. Although childish (even for a Godzilla film), the movie is not entirely without merit. Next is "Destroy All Monsters".
Rating: Summary: SON OF G ON DVD!!!! A new version in America? Review: The Columbia/Tristar (SONY) release of SON OF GODZILLA is the "International" version. It is in wide screen. It also has dubbing done in Japan. This is similar to the recent DVD releases of Destroy All Monsters. So it is different from the version most fans grew up with. (The version that had Peter (Speed Racer) Fernandez as the voice of Goro.) The good news is that it is UNCUT and features a 3 min. prologue cut from the american TV version, which features Godzilla frightening coast guard pilots in a tropical storm at sea.
Rating: Summary: Great Picture Quality, Re-Dubbed Audio Review: The picture quality is excellent on this DVD but the audio is not the original audio tracks
from the original released movie. So if you are a Godzilla fan you may be disappointed by the re-dubbing of the monster movie classic.
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