Rating: 
Summary: Most Americans don't know what they're missing....
Review: It's a pity, no, a CRIME, that the Americanized version of this movie is the only one widely available here. The original, longer Japanese version is easily one of the most under-rated and under-distributed films of the last 50 years, probably because it hits on points we simply don't want to think about. The horrible doom-laden "footsteps" of this ancient monster are transparent allusions to the sound of approaching bombs. One scene in particular, with the Japanese children singing a hopeless hymn in a vain attempt to stave off yet another raid, has been edited to minimize the burns, scars, and disfigurations those in the original version wore. The nuclear references have been minimized or eliminated altogether. Oddly enough, both versions refer to the monster as being "two million" years old - someone didn't bother to research the time scales we're talking about here. But as an allegory for a country having been bombed nearly back to the Stone Age just nine years earlier, I'm sure that "Gojira" gave more Japanese adults than children nightmares. You can't blame Raymond Burr for being in this movie, but by all means, try to get your hands on an original version and give it a decent chance. And whatever you do, don't waste any time on the '98 US remake: no amount of money can disguise the jaw-dropping lack of ability evidenced in **every** aspect of that fiasco.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of the monster films!
Review: Although I prefer the original version without Raymond Burr edited in (it includes more footage from the original film), anyway you can get your hands on this classic film should be taken seriously. Though 90% of the G films are camp (though check out the 90's films--Mothra, Ghidora, Mechagodzilla, Destoyer), the first G was not only serious but had a far better plot (and better acting) then any other monster films I can think of from this period. I am not sure, but I think one of the professors (the paleontologist) is played by the same actor who is in Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai, if that gives the film any legitamacy. Better yet, despite the age of this film, Godzilla looks very good, not at all like the goofy godzilla in later films (gamera, gigan, smog monster, etc). All in all, if you are into older movies or Japanese cinema, this film is a real treat, and a surprise given how Godzilla is in general considered a joke. Incidentally, the soundtrack is also fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: Godzilla's first is one of his best!
Review: Godzilla is awakened by Nuclear weapon testing in his film debut. After "G" causes a few mysterious disasters off the coast of Japan, the people of Tokyo come face to face with the ancient, giant, powerful, terrifying, fire breathing monster, who has the power to trample all of Tokyo. My Thoughts"Godzilla, King of the Monsters" was certainly a movie I enjoyed watching, but it isn't my favorite of the Godzilla movies. It had some exciting parts but, likewise had parts that were a bit corny or dull. The movie surprised me a bit by being smartly creative, and also potrayed Godzilla destroying Tokyo well. I additionally thought, (although his part is greatly criticized by many "G" fans) that Raymond Burr (Steve Martin) did a nice acting job. He added some fear to the movie, and his description of Godzilla and his attack on Tokyo was classic. What makes this one of the better Godzilla films though is the seriousness and realism of the film. Godzilla wasn't a cartoonish good guy like he is in most of his later movies, he was what he was supposed to be, a terrifying creature people feared, hated, and wanted to see killed. Overall, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" was a fairly well made film, better than any other original monster movie during the 50s and 60s monster era, I liked, and other Godzilla fans should like too! END END
Rating: 
Summary: This is the WRONG Godzilla
Review: I recently saw the ORIGINAL Godzilla released in 1954, which was directed by I. Honda. The AMERICAN version has"cut out" critical footage to make the film "lacking in writing and direction" by Terry Morse. This version is a rock solid lack of truth, because of the failure of Hollywood to "leave it alone".
All reading this review should see the original and not purchase the 1956 version which has been "cut to ribbons"
The film because of Hollywood is a disaster, and should be avoided at all costs
Rating:
Summary: Godzilla's first is one of his best!
Review: Godzilla is awakened by Nuclear weapon testing in his film debut. After "G" causes a few mysterious disasters off the coast of Japan, the people of Tokyo come face to face with the ancient, giant, powerful, terrifying, fire breathing monster, who has the power to trample all of Tokyo. My Thoughts "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" was certainly a movie I enjoyed watching, but it isn't my favorite of the Godzilla movies. It had some exciting parts but, likewise had parts that were a bit corny or dull. The movie surprised me a bit by being smartly creative, and also potrayed Godzilla destroying Tokyo well. I additionally thought, (although his part is greatly criticized by many "G" fans) that Raymond Burr (Steve Martin) did a nice acting job. He added some fear to the movie, and his description of Godzilla and his attack on Tokyo was classic. What makes this one of the better Godzilla films though is the seriousness and realism of the film. Godzilla wasn't a cartoonish good guy like he is in most of his later movies, he was what he was supposed to be, a terrifying creature people feared, hated, and wanted to see killed. Overall, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" was a fairly well made film, better than any other original monster movie during the 50s and 60s monster era, I liked, and other Godzilla fans should like too! END END
Rating: 
Summary: It's been 50 Years - Retire the Round-Eye Version!
Review: I won't claim this is a movie review - everything said previously about the glorious original Japanese version (which I have as a VHS dub from laser disc) is true.
For the 50th anniversary of "Gojira," and with the original film making the rounds of specialty theaters in a new 35mm print described as "beautiful," it's time to retire the "Steve Martin" farce of the Raymond Burr version once and for all. Then maybe we can concentrate on the REPEAT Steve Martin farce from "Gojira 1985," a film which I must say is every bit forgettable except as it elements from it have recurred at Toho Studio's occasional whim.
Rating:
Summary: The only "scary" Japanese Monster movie
Review: The movie that started it all was also the best. Although much has been written of the splicing-in of select scenes for Raymond Burr to "Americanize" the movie for its release in the USA, this movie, nonetheless is a classic. Any discussion of this movie is not complete without mentioning the haunting and throbbing musical score; right from the beginning of the film when we are shown a destroyed and burning downtown Tokyo, the music only enhances the "horror" aspects of this film. This is one of the few pre-80's Godzilla movies in which the monster looks and acts likes a monster rather than some guy in a suit, for 1950's technology, the "special effects" in this film are way ahead of their time. Subsequent Godzilla sequels never came close to the atmosphere and tension of this first classic. Many sequels showed Godzilla as the defender and friend of humanity, but here in the original, he is the fearsome beast of destruction.
Rating:
Summary: Nothing like a classic!
Review: First Godzilla movie. Now, right there is enough reason to buy this movie, but there are many more reasons too. Special effects wise, it's great and a treat to the eye ( especially compared to "Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster" or "Godzilla vs. Megalon" ). Effects include: puppets, suit mation, and stop motion. This is where Godzilla is still an atomic, horrifing creature that kills and not the smiling, kid freindly monster. Just Godzilla, no Minya, no Rodan, and best of all no Jet Jaguar! The american scenes with Raymond Burr kind of dull down the film which is why it only gets 4 stars, but I try to overlook the american scenes and concentrate on Godzilla's awsome rampages through japanese cities. The footage of death and destruction in that glorious stark black and white are an awe inspiring site! Filmed in stark black and white, this is the very best movie to start with if you want to see all the Godzilla movies. Watch all the movies in order from this 1956 film to "Godzilla vs. Destroyer" made in 1995. As you progress through the series you will find out that Godzilla turns into a totally diffrent creature and then turns back to a mean creature again.
Rating:
Summary: great midnight movie
Review: Well this is the first time I've ever watched this film. It's in black & white, and really takes on shows like Lost in Space, or maybe even Dracula, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstien. It's really old so it didn't have to be convincing in terms of special effects. It's the nostalgia of the times.
What I enjoyed was the Japanese Americans actors they used throughout the movie. Their Japanese is minimal but certainly was convincing enough for me to believe that the white guy reporter was originally in the film. (he was added in for the U.S.). Also there seemed to be more close up shots of everyone. For instance the boats that were dissappearing. They actually showed sailors aboard them having fun, before they were torn apart by Godzilla. Also the some of the scenes used lots of extras which are at the bottom of Tokyo. This makes it more terrifying for the movie. The rubber suit Godzilla doesn't look so fake, once you see injuries and people starving and looking for their loved ones that were lost at sea.
Okay with this said, I would still say the old school Godzilla sequals with Mothra, Mecha Godzilla still rule my collection.
Rating:
Summary: Best, not just monster movie...BEST MOVIE.PERIOD.
Review: Weather your a fan of Godzilla (which I am), or a fan of action, or a fan of scifi, or a fan of movies, this is one of the most important films in cinima history, even more so then "STAR WARS".
While, I will NOT give a review for this movie, I am gonna let you find out for yourself, but this movie is the reason why we have movies like "STAR WARS", "STAR TREK", and many others. Godzilla was the first monster with a meaning, he wasn't an ape, he wasn't a lizard, he wasn't a bug, he was a mutation, the first mutation to ever grace the big screen.
All monsters before it, King Kong, Rhedosaurus ("THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FANTHOMS"), and all others before him were killed by normal weapons, Godzilla changed all of this. This was a one monster army, wiping a city clean of life in less then a day. This, is the exact reason why it is important to history, for all of the rip-offs, TV appearances, games, stories of giant monsters who trample cities and defeat massive armies owe their very excistence to the Big-G.
The acting in this is great for the time. the plot is brand new for the time, no other movie before this had a plot like this or a monster. While Godzilla does owe his existence to Kong and the Rhedosaur, this movie puts them to shame, and all movies to follow, including today's movies.
Any person who says this is false is being stubbern, do your research, and you can see that many elements from your favorite scifi series ("STARWARS") borrows elements from this or from another Godzilla movie. This isn't your typical Godzilla film meant to be corny or campy, this was the movie of the 1950s. A film that terrorized the viewers of 1954, by today's standards, it's not that big in effects or acting, but take a trip back to the 1950s, and see for yourself...
THIS IS THE MOVIE OF THE CENTURIES BEFORE, NOW, AND FOREVER.
Long live the king, and forever let this movie bliss us with excelence.
If the rating system could go over 5, this movie would get 10!
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