Godzilla, King of the Monsters

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Summary: Enter Godzilla....
Review: I stare at this blank form in wonder of what i should say. Words alone cannot praise this film (and all of its sequels, for that matter) enough. It is a true master piece, not only for the generation - but for all time. This is the one that started it all. Not just my obsession, but the obsession of millions across the world. Enter, Godzilla - King of the Monsters. The film begins with a narraration by Steve Martin (Raymond Burr, who is not in the original Japaneese version) - and his description of an odd occourence the night before. Then we are visited by a nightmarish montage of people dead, dying or wounded. The film continues on with the 'adventures' of Martin and a doctor, Doctor Serizawa (a brilliant one for that matter, he has discovered the formula to kill oxygen) - both trying to discover a way to kill a beast that has been stalking the harbors of Japan for a while. That beast - is Godzilla. This film is flawless. Steve Martin (Burr) add's alot of realism to this with his new editorial like commentary, and the image of Godzilla has burned an image in everyone's mind who has viewed this film. As the final scene in glorious black and white rolled, tears came to my eye. This film began a lifelong obsession with me. The Godzilla suit is the best one. The most fearsom and menacing, with razor sharp teeth, sinster and narrow eyes and cat-like ears. As the film moves along, you are no longer a part of this word - you enter a world much like this one, only there is a giant, lizard like, mutated, atomic monster in this one. The story wraps around your brain and doesn't let you go. You cheer and jeer as the image of Godzilla's image flashes onto the screen, but shiver in fear at the same time. You feel the terror of Steve Martin, Doctor Serizawa and the rest of the cast - and the joy of Godzilla as he breathes his Radioactive Breath onto hoards of helpless citizens. Godzilla Is, most definetly, and always will be - The King of the Monsters.Now about the DVD. This is a very good transfer. Although the picture is a bit murky, it is still very crisp and sharp, and a bit scratchy here and there. The sound is great! On a sorround-sound Dobly Digital 5.0 setup, the sound quality is very very good, the kind you need to view a Godzilla Flick. This disc is a region 1 disc, if anyone really needs to know - if you all have strict Region-1 players. Sony really did a good job on the transfer (unlike Simitar who had a video-like transfer) but they could have added some special features for this historical film.. Maybe even a 2nd disc, with the Japaneese Version. But that is a bit of a high hope. But this is still a great-quality DVD, for a flawless, beautiful, perfect film.Godzilla - Charge Free Power-Line Destroyer since 1954.Long Live The King of the Monsters!

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Summary: GREATEST ART FILM OF THEM ALL.
Review: Godzilla : King of the monstersGives birth to a generation of campyhorror films.But this gothic is the best.The ending makes me cry.There are more happening in this shortfilm than in a hundred other movies.It has to be seen over and over to fully appreciate.

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Summary: It's Good to be the King
Review: The King of all monsters takes on Tokyo in the black and white classic that started it all, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters". American reporter Steve Martin (Raymond Burr) investigates a series of unexplained ship disasters and discovers the presence of a 400-foot prehistoric beast. The massive beast destroys everything in its path and proceeds to level Tokyo. "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" is a remarkable creature feature that turned the towering giant into the biggest actor to ever come out of Japan. For American release, the film was edited from the original release to make room for scenes with Raymond Burr. The special effects are impressive for their time. The film's dark tone and Raymond Burr's serious narration makes it the best Godzilla movie in the whole franchise. The classic monster film is presented in its standard full screen format. The DVD contains a weak Black/White video transfer that is full of scratches, and a poorly remastered 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Its only supplemental feature is a short promo video of the "King of the Monsters" game. Despite being a popular monster feature, "Godzilla" is a disappointing DVD and scores a "C-".

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Summary: Godzilla vs. Steve Martin
Review: (Please note that the DVD release I am reviewing is the one produced by GoodTimes. It features a copy of the movie, and absolutely nothing else. On the other hand, it does claim to be Region Free although I have no means of verifying that.)

Everyone knows the story of Godzilla. Radioactive sciencey stuff awakens a great big monster, which proceeds to stomp through downtown Tokyo killing many, and making a general nuisance of himself. The Japanese military tries to stop Godzilla, because it gives them something to do. Nothing political, nothing controversial - just a fun movie about big things beating up on little things. For the US release of this, the first film in the series, they decided to add footage of Raymond Burr, which brings us to the first obvious thing to talk about.

Raymond Burr is so badly inserted into the original movie, one would believe that he shot all of his scenes in a single afternoon. He talks to people from the main movie on the phone; he spies at them through binoculars. Occasionally one of the characters from the actual film will speak to him. Raymond Burr's character (hilariously named Steve Martin - I cracked up every time that was mentioned) will then hold a fascinating conversation with the back of some extra's head. He lurks in the background with little to do but smoke, and ask his Japanese friends for translations.

The beginning of the movie drags quite a bit. This is because it takes half an hour for the eponymous star to appear in the flesh. And frankly, if there isn't a giant guy in a rubber suit smashing cardboard buildings, then I ask myself what the point is. That said, I was impressed by those initial Godzilla attacks. There's an obvious metaphor for nuclear destruction being played out in the opening sections, which is handled quite well. However, once the monster appears in the flesh, we move away from the artsy similes and move on to the smashing. Yes!

Godzilla smashes a lot in the film. I counted ships, trains, power-lines, police cars and lots of random buildings as destroyed during this rampage. Thousands dead, Tokyo in ruins - a good day for the big guy.

This particular DVD probably wouldn't be the one to use if you're going to show off your brand-new, ultra-expensive home entertainment system to your friends. The picture is scratchy, the sound isn't great, but it's a movie about a big monster smashing Japanese stuff, so who cares what the quality is like?

You should know exactly what you're getting in for before you even think about buying this DVD. I've not seen all of the films in the Godzilla series, although I must say that I do prefer the other entries that significantly increased the cheese-factor. This, the first, is a decent enough film. I was entertained during much of it, and I don't really ask for much more from monster movies.

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Summary: Where can I obtain copy of original 1954 Japanese version?
Review: I've read innumerable accounts of the original 1954 Japanese version of Godzilla (originally titled "Gojira" or "Daikaijû no tai Nimon Mairubut"), but have not been able to locate a place where I can obtain a copy of it (either on VHS or DVD). Can anyone out there help me? Thanks.

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Summary: The adventure begins here!
Review: The sensation began with this awsome movie to even more cool movies! You will enjoy this great movie!

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Summary: The Monster Flic of All Time
Review: There is none better. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is for the spliced-in Raymond Burr scenes to "Americanize" the story. I have a VHS copy of the original JAPANESE ONLY release, not shown in the U.S. That versin is longer, the scenes are in different order and the story takes on a whole new look, focusing more on the characters. Oh for a DVD of that version!

That aside, this is the film by which I judge all 'creature features'. You forget the monster is a man in a rubber suit, stomping around a miniature set. The black & white photography, the attention to lighting details make this a winner all around.
I feel guilty for being sad at the end as Godzilla dies, but that's just how the story pulls you in. The 1995 movie of the same name was an insult to this near-masterpiece.

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Summary: Back to the Classics
Review: A true classic monster movie...done just how it should be done, with shaky scientific explanations, atomic age wariness, and a look into the human side of monster-made disasters. Those who grew up with the 70's-era movies with it's cheesiness need to see the original, with Godzilla very much the bad guy. The Americanized segments with Raymond Burr are actually not that bad, giving the film a more documentary-like feel, and emphasizing the helplessness of the many victims, though it trips the continuity somewhat.
The most commendable aspect of this feature is its focus on the victims with haunting images of the injured and dying, and unforgettable location shots of Tokyo in flames. There is no monster vs. monster battle, just simply humans vs. monster, and the results are powerful and stick with you. It's back to the basics with this one folks, and you'll love it!

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Summary: A True Classic
Review: You seen him , you heard him, he is knockiong at your door. Don't open it unless you like flaming Listerine!

I am teasing but this film is a true classic!

For trivia buffs, when the film was released in North America, the scenes with Raymond Burr were edited in to make it more appealing. Notice you never see him with original actors.

I have a warm heart for him because he was from BC Canada, but more significantly , this movie made Samuel Z Arkoff stinking rich.

He made B movies part of our culture and he has a biography that I highly recommend! But back to the movie...almost forgot...

THis is by far, in my thoughts, the best Godzilla movie!

It was generously made with high speed photography, making the monster mo ve more slowly . THis cost a hell of a lot of money but this film was taken very seriously.

The story hints at nuclear devestation and while the dubbing is distracting and far from perfect, that is all moot.

Godzilla is truly King of the Monsters and reigns today! Awesome for the whole family with lights out and sound turned up !!!

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Summary: A Review of: Godzilla King of the Monsters Sony 2002 DVD
Review: Godzilla King of the Monsters (1956)(Sony 2002) 2/5
Just have to say this movie is [stuff] compaired to the Japanese original un-edited version.
Okay here we go anohter [bad] godzilla dvd. This disc contains a 4:3 picture (I don't know if this is the original ratio so I won't comment)which has alot of film damage in places although it is good in others, it doesn't suffer from compression though. It has a mono soundtrack as standard, the sound is patchy, most of the reshot peices with Raymond Burr sound quite clear, but the Japanese orginal material is very hissy. Ever wanted to watch Godzilla in the bathroom but can't because there's no electrical outlets there? Well now you can simulate it by turning on the BONUS 5.1 remix of the soundtrack which is one of the very worst I have ever listened to. The sound is echoed and reverbed all over so everywhere sounds like a bathroom. Now the final Extra reveals the true reason for this release, the preview of Destroy All Monsters for the GameCube, this makes it more obvious than ever that this is just a [low]tie-in release to get a bit of interest in the game.
Good Points: It does have an animated menu which is okay. It also have plenty of chapters and decent cutting points.
Bad Points:It doesn't have an option for the original american version, the film hasn't been restored at all, the 5.1 remix [is quite bad] and finally not even a trailer as an extra??
The rating above is for this DVD not the film, I rated it 2 stars because it isn't as bad as the Jackie Chan box and watchable as a bog standard version of the movie but more dedicated fans should save their money for a future release.