Godzilla, King of the Monsters

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: I HATE RAYMOND BURR
Review: The only reason i didnt rate this as a 5 because of Raymond Burr
splice part.First off the reason they put him in there because
they wanto up the sale on godzilla in the U.S. and show more interest.This Movie tells it all that all I have to Say.Costume,
music,suspence and etc all good.Must have G fan Movie.

P.S.:Suggest you find the original japanese verison which is
longer and no Raymon Burr

Rating:
Summary: DEFINITELY not the best "Godzilla" movie
Review: I'm well-aware that this movie had been chopped up by us Americans when we released this movie in the states. And so my following mini-review is based on "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" starring Raymond Bore...I know it's spelled "Burr" but since there was no respect for the original Japanese edit of this movie, I'll show similar respect for this actor's wooden performance.

First off, why? Why on Earth did there have to be inserts of an American actor? Did we put an American actor in "Seven Samurai" before it was shown in the US? No, so what's the deal?

I'm only griping about this because, well, Raymond Burr is BORING. He shows no range of acting ability - it's therefore a mystery as to why we felt the need for his presence? He adds nothing special to the flick. He can't act. He's boring. And he can't even pronounce "shortlived" correctly which is sad considering he's American. I feel no remorse in knocking every little flaw about Raymond Bore because someone important thought he could do a better job than the Japanese star. And because of our need to put a caucasion star in the movie, we end up with a series of human scenes in which the star doesn't interact with the rest of the cast. Sure, they try to make it look like he's talking to some of the REAL Japanese stars, but overall, Raymond Bore feels like he's in his own little world devoid of character interaction.

In any case, I'm not sure who to blame for this one, but the scenes don't flow well together. As a matter of fact, they don't flow period. Watching this movie is like watching a series of unrelated scenes thrown together for no apparent reason; the only thing binding the scenes together is that they're all part of this movie called "Godzilla."

As for the monster scenes, they're way too over-rated. I wasn't entertained at all by Godzilla's presence. It was boring, and I never felt his impact. The humans don't really confront him - the movie says they do, but you don't really see it. So you get very little action between Godzilla and the military. And if I didn't say so already, the monster scenes don't flow well with the human scenes.

In the final scene where the scientist and the other guy go underwater to place the Oxygen-destroyer, I didn't feel the emotional impact that I was supposed to feel. Even when the scientist decides to end his life, I felt nothing. I was saying to myself "who really cares?" I mean, the movie tried to play it serious and emotional, but it fails.

Overall, you get a serious movie that doesn't engage/interest the viewer very well. You get horrible character interaction between the "stars." None of the scenes flow well together. The monster action is boring. A very weak title. It's really no wonder why the most popular Godzilla movies are the really campy ones with hilarious dialogue, and great monster action. I have yet to see a serious Godzilla movie that entertained me.

Yes, I wish I had access to the original Japanese version. But I still don't know if I'd like it due to its serious content which rarely impresses me in a Kaiju movie. I'd still recommend seeing either version at least once just to say you've seen the Original Godzilla. After you've seen it, feel free to let your disc collect dust because you're unlikely to ever watch it again.

Rating:
Summary: Where The King Earned His Crown
Review: This film is truelly a classic. In 1944 an atomic bomb bombed Sogell Island. 10 years later shipwreaks where happening in the same spot in the ocean. as US reporter Steve Martin along with some freinds try to uncover the dark truth which is Godzilla, King Of The Monsters. This film was not only voted second best in Japan in 1954 but now(I'm not just saying this) this amazing spectableis on the list of the top fifty greatest Si-Fi films ever made(that's more than 300 films!). One thing I don't get is how in the world is this boring? And unlike others I don't love it because it was the first G-film, I love it because it's never boring! There's always a sighting of Godzilla, a bombing, or an observation on how the king works or how he was made to be. Also this G-suit is amazing and this movie was one of the biggest successes in America and Japan. I can't wait for the Japanese version to come out.

Rating:
Summary: A good monster film, but NOT the Japanese Original
Review: It's bizarre and frustrating that, considering DVD technology, no one has released a disc of the ORIGINAL un-cut Japanese movie "Godzilla" with subtitles. The film on this DVD is "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!", an American re-edit of the original film with insert footage of Raymond Burr to "Americanize" the Japanese footage. This edited and re-shot version is the only way the film can currently be seen in the U.S., and it's high time for the original to finally make it stateside.

That being said, the Americanized "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" is pretty good for what it is. The original film isn't ruined, but it is a lesser experience. It's worth a three-star rating at least, but the uncut Japanese version is a five-star classic and it's unfortunate that most Americans haven't had a chance to experience it.

For non-Godzilla fans, a bit of explanation of exactly what is on this disc is necessary. "Godzilla" (the Japanese title is actually "Gojira," a fanciful combination of the words for "gorilla" and "whale") was released in 1954 and was a huge hit in its home country. It was a frightening vision of radioactive horror returning to mainland Japan, and director Ishiro Honda poured his heart and soul into the terror and sorrow of the story. The original film is devastating in its impact, and Eiji Tsubaraya's effects are startling in their intensity: shots of Godzilla's immense shadow lumbering over a Tokyo in flames, helpless victims cowering in the destruction, are images that cannot be erased from memory, and the pounding, threatening score only heightens the sense of doom.

A group of American businessmen picked up the film to distribute to U.S. audiences in 1956, who at the time were lining up to see "big bug" and monster flicks like "Them" and "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" (which actually inspired the original "Godzilla" in the first place). The distributors recognized a potential hit, but knew there would be no money in it if it were released in subtitled form: they wanted to get the matinee and drive-in teen crowd. So they re-edited the film, removing around 30% of the Japanese footage and replacing it with footage of Raymond Burr (who, no kidding, shot all his scenes in a single twenty-four hour period), who plays a reporter named Steve Martin (no snickering, please) who is in Tokyo during Godzilla's rampage. Other footage was juggled around and rearranged, and some of the context and story were altered, much of which dampened Godzilla's radioactive nature.

The new footage is actually quite clever, and fits in well with the Japanese footage. Using extras shot from the back actually allows Raymond Burr to "interact" with the film's stars in a few scenes. Burr gives a serious performance that is respectful to the original film. Because a guide translates much of the dialogue for Raymond Burr, many scenes are able to stay in Japanese (this means less dubbing, good news for everybody, since the dubbed scenes are horribly synced.) The American producers obviously were trying to manufacture the best film they could, and I think they succeeded.

But, no doubt, it is an inferior "3-star" version of the movie. Godzilla himself is still there in all his terror and majesty, and the central Tokyo rampage remains a stunning piece of work. Banish thoughts of "heroic" Godzilla; this is the embodiment of radioactive horror and man's own destructive impulse. But the story surrounding Godzilla, about tragic scientist Dr. Serizawa and elder scientist Dr. Yamane, and the love triangle between the three young leads, is severely weakened. Serizawa's story no longer packs the punch that is required for the real human element of the story to work. Scenes of Japanese citizenry reacting to what amounts to a second atomic bombing of their country have also been cut out. The Americanized version is a darn good monster flick, but not much more. (And, sadly, the quality of the print on this DVD isn't the best.)

So understand what you are getting on this disc: a pretty good Americanized version of the film, but not the Japanese masterpiece that needs to get its own special edition DVD one of these days.

Rating:
Summary: A popular classic!
Review: This is where all the popular Godzilla films began. The only sequel that comes close to this classic is Godzilla 2000. This one is the best. The story takes place in Japan, that was bombed about 60 years ago. The radioactivity how ever, made this huge creature that the Japanese call "Godzilla". Godzilla has returnd and is destroying Toyko. Great film and the only one of the series that has good acting. Great, and a classic.

Rating:
Summary: A classic Never goes out of Style!
Review: On August 6, 1945 the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. An estimated 130,000 people were killed and 90% of the city was completely leveled. Japan never completely recovered from that incident.

Ten years later Japan was the site of another catastrophic event. On November 3, 1955 many Japanese fishing boats were being destroyed by what was called "a wall of fire" on the ocean. Many scientists were called in to investigate the mystery. It was eventually discovered that the cause of the burning fire on the ocean was a prehistoric creature resurrected from its eternal rest by the resulting radiation of the Hiroshima incident. The prehistoric creature, was known as "Godzilla."

Driven by animal instincts Godzilla eventually made his way to Tokyo where he proceeded to decimate the entire city. Japan's army fought by bravely, but their efforts proved futile against Godzilla's sheer strength and resistance. Although his attack was brief, the death toll and destruction was even higher then the Hiroshima blast.

Godzilla was too big of a threat for the world to ignore, something had to be done and quickly, before Godzilla could attack again. Shortly after the last attack, Dr. Serizawa came public with his latest discovery. A device capable of removing all oxygen in the area of water it resided in. This device was dubbed the Oxygen Destroyer. It was decided that the Oxygen Destroyer was the only means capable of defeating Godzilla.

Dr. Serizawa hesitantly let his creation be used. He was lowered into Tokyo Bay near the location of Godzilla, where the Oxygen Destroyer was activated. The device proved to be a success and Godzilla was destroyed, suffering a very slow, painful death, leaving behind nothing more than a gigantic skeleton. Unfortunately Dr. Serizawa was also lost. He committed suicide and died with Godzilla, taking the secrets of the Oxygen Destroyer with him to the grave.

With Godzilla gone, the survivors set about the arduous task of rebuilding their once impressive civilization.

This is truly a classic amongst monster movies. To this day I can still remember the terror I felt when I saw "Godzilla" for the first time when it appeared on TNT during an all night marathon.

For years I've searched for a good copy of this movie and just recently I found the movie that first introduced me to what was destined to become a legend of epic proportion.

Film quality-wise the movie looks old in some scenes. It could've been cleaned up but I think it helps add to the atmosphere of the movie.

The reason for the four star rating is because of the DVD itself. It would've received a five if it had more features. It should've had a copy of the orginal Japanese version with English subtitles, maybe a two disc package for collectors.

Overall I wold reccomend this DVD to anyone who can't find the original "Gojira". If you saw it as a kid, get it and rediscover the sense of terror you felt so long ago.

Rating:
Summary: See the Legend from the Beginning
Review: There's nothing like seeing one of the most classic monster movies right from the start. I still can't get over Raymond Burr's portrayel of Steve Martin. The scene where he persuades a doctor's daughter to help destroy Godzilla is simply impressive. I wouldn't mind the captions for the Japanese being in English considering I can't read Japanese characters. But then nobody's perfect.

I recommend this movie to any Godzilla fans or to anybody who just collects monster movies like "The Blob", "War of the Gargantuas", and "Reptilicus".

Rating:
Summary: Release the original "Gojira" on dvd!
Review: The Simitar two-sided dvd contains a fullscreen version
on one side, and a so-called "theatrical" "letterbox" version on the other.
WARNING: The "letterbox" version is misleading - it's not in true widescreen at all. The top and bottom of the picture was merely chopped off, a fact which becomes painfully obvious when comparing scenes of this version with the "fullscreen". But there are some decent extras on this dvd nonetheless, such as the documentary on movie monsters, and the Godzilla art gallery.
The Sony "Classic Media" dvd release contains the fullscreen version, and virtually no extras, when compared to the Simitar edition. But having found it in a bargain bin for $5, it was an okay deal, with the quality of the movie itself comparable and seemingly slightly better (such as it is, scratches and all) than the Simitar release. Skip the Dolby-Surround sound options on both releases - the Dolby mono is a bit clearer and less distorted.

This classic movie deserves far better treatment on dvd.

C'mon big shot video producers/sellers - if you put the original "Gojira" with English subtitles on dvd,
people will buy it. Maybe pair it up with the second
"Fire Lizard" feature.

Rating:
Summary: The One That Made Him A Star
Review: I grew up watching the Big Fella. Although I am not a die-hard or purist type of fan, I even liked the 1998 American version, I still have fond childhood memories of the films. Today I can't even sit through those films of the 60s and 70s. So the only two Godzilla films I own are the 1998 American version and this one.

Personally, I like this film because it was done seriously and without the camp and cheese of the later films. The premise of the film is creative, yet also dire. In pure science fiction style it tells the horrific tale of a giant monster who is resurrected because of the use of atomic bombs. Filmed in 1954, only nine years after the horrendous destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, the movies serves both as a metaphor of that inhumanity, and warning against further nuclear proliferation. I don't think any other Godzilla movie came this close in trying to relay an important message.

As I type this review it is almost 2004 and the film is nearly 50 years old. So when viewing it I think that needs to be taken into consideration. Watching this I had an unintentional laugh or a smile because of the outdated special effects. To the young eyes of those raised on state-of-the-art-effects this may not be their style. But I thoroughly enjoyed this film as an historic piece of 1950s "B" style science fiction movie. So watch, enjoy, be nostalgic, and have some fun.