New Replies (Page 176)
SasquaDash,
Over dramatic or not, the title speaks to the cultural appropriation of Godzilla I've spoken about in prior posts--And, personally, I'd call that harsher than "whitewashing", but the latter makes for a better title I suppose.
I don't see where the article comes off as "arrogant" or "hateful". Where does any of that come into play in this article? All I recognize is something that comes off as well researched and very honest in Ryfle's opinions. The man has recorded audio commentaries for five Godzilla films and written two of the most valuable English language books on the series, including the Ishiro Honda biography--having spoken to his family and many surviving Toho filmmakers. Knowledgeable? Sure. Earned the right to speak out on these topics given the exorbitant amount of resources/people he's been privy to? Absolutely. But I don't detect a hint of arrogance or hate in this article. I do see you use these words a lot when someone criticizes the Monsterverse. Is it possible you simply use these words for anything that upsets you in regards to criticism of these particular flicks?
A few things to consider: Ryfle is correct in explaining that the responsibility for America's nuclear tests in the 2014 film were being side-stepped in favor for something more righteous. "They were trying to kill it," is not a line indicative of, "how arrogantly these types of weapons are used." It painted the US's tests as a reaction toward trying to protect the world from a potential threat. (Even though, the reality is Castle Bravo poisoned people, got someone killed and put toxic fish on the Japanese market.) And at no point does Ryfle claim the scene between Stenz and Serizawa "glorifies" nuclear weapons, but merely that the scene acts as a conduit accepting the losses of Hiroshima as practical for the greater good.
In fact, the word "glorify" or "glorified" does not show up in the article at all. He's not even saying the film is pro-nuclear. (Nor is there an argument made that a heroic Godzilla is "pro nuke". That's an odd thing the assume since it's never even insinuated.) What Ryfle is criticizing the 2014 film (and the 1956/1985 American re-cuts of Godzilla and Return of Godzilla, respectfully) for is side-stepping responsibility for why Godzilla exists as a film character at all.
Granted, I don't entirely agree with Ryfle here. Personally, I think more can be said for how misused Godzilla was in the follow-up movie. The 2014 film has some problematic issues, as Ryfle pointed out, but it doesn't particularly say anything good about nuclear power either, as you suggested with the MUTO's arc. But he makes some good points that explain why Godzilla's compatibility with the Hollywood blockbuster mantra clashes with cultural ideologies.
I assume a 4K TV is required and likely an increase in contrast and brightness settings to achieve this level of clarity, cause it isn't that bright for me either hahaha
I like 2001 since I think the white eyes look cool and the face too.
I like it as well. I really like the Different forms of Godzilla in this one, and i think Godzilla Ultima may become my new favorite design. Honestly it kinda reminds me of mine.
oh, I thought one was a juvinile and the older an adult
THAT ATOMIC BREATH!!
SarcasticGoji no just reminding you who translated the text of the book. (In other words, reminding you about the American dub).
It doesn't look like that on my TV.
Not even a little.
Sadly, I don't have a 4k Blu ray player, or a 4k TV...
I like the Gamera-esque Godzilla, I think it works for an american adaptation.
And yes Gman, I know what you mean
depends on ur definition of cool
Yeah, the Monke has been done better.
It isn't cool sorry to say...
The show has two rodans! That’s the answer, one if younger, the other is older.
WHAT U GUYS TALKING ABOUT??
i ask about their two different rodans and where the monsters comes from the red liquid of the sea
YES YES YES YES
I had a very hard time watching it the first time...
thank you for reposting this Chris!!! SO excited to get this bad boy someday
judging a book by its cover eh?
@sonictiger thank you for bringing Minilla. I forgot about him. And I thought that if I mentioned, people would get mad. I don't hate him, its just, well...
You get the point
"Whitewashing" Godzilla... doesn't that seem a little over dramatic...
Overall that article comes off as arrogant and hateful, pretty much trashing the movie for not "being the original" and being American. Steve Ryfle comes off as nothing more than a stuck up elitist snob, with a condescending "I'm smarter than you" attitude.
Also it seems that he wasn't paying attention to the movie's story, as he claims that the movie glorified nuclear weapons, which it doesn't.
The Government attempting to nuke Godzilla in the 50s wasn't an attempt rewrite history or to say that nukes are good, it was trying to show how arrogantly these types of weapons are used. The film also states that it was a 1954 "nuclear test" that was the government's attempt to destroy Godzilla, at no point does it negate the other nuclear tests conducted by America, Russia, France etc... (as Ryfle claims it does).
The MUTOs were awakened by the mining for Uranium and were drawn to sources of radiation, causing the Janjira power plant meltdown, which destroyed the lives of the people affected. The fact that the MUTOs were awakened by the mining of radioactive elements and were drawn to nuclear power plants shows the potential danger of harvesting this type of energy.
The Female MUTO's "dormant" spore was carelessly stored in the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, showing the government's irresponsible handling of potentially dangerous material, as they not only tossed the spore aside to be ignored, they put the MUTO in area were it could feed on nuclear energy and grow stronger.
When the military realizes that the monsters are unaffected by their standard weapons they try to use nuclear weapons, this shows the arrogance of the military as they are unconcerned by the potential risks this may cause. Serizawa attempts to warn Stenz about the risks by reminding him of the tragedy caused by the Hiroshima bombings (Ryfle stupidly claims that this scene "glorified" the bombings, making me question his intelligence). The military's plan goes wrong with MUTOs stealing the active warhead and building a nest around it, this shows how the military's arrogance made the situation worse, potentially leading to another Hiroshima like incident.
The soldiers are sent to move the bomb out of the city so that the city won't be destroyed by the explosion or exposed to the fallout.
IN WHAT WORLD DOES THAT "GLORIFY" NUCLEAR WEAPONS!!!
And if he's trying to say that Godzilla being a defender/hero is "pro nuke", Newsflash! Godzilla was a hero in some of the older Toho films, but I guess that fact doesn't fit his "America Bad" argument...
Agreed, as much as I love Godzilla, Hollywood handled Kong better this time around. For points already expressed, the consensus being North America created Kong, home field advantage. Still love the MV Godzilla portrayal though, G14 the best - prefer Godzilla to be either impartial and neutral or a plague of destruction rather than "Humanity's savior".
SarcasticGoji,
He's a little too Heisei Gamera for my taste.
Between the two I think Hollywood just understands Kong better--Which makes sense because it's their creation. We've just handled Kong's empathy and desire to be at peace in a world that knows he exists better.
Kong's design also looks like an evolution of his original, fantastical design, instead of just being a blown up silverback like the 2005 version. The best thing I can say about Godzilla's design is it looks like Godzilla. But it's hardly a definitive look. Nothing too memorable.
Godzilla they've muddled and contorted outside of his cultural confines. I'm reminded of Steve Ryfle's article, about how Hollywood has "whitewashed" Godzilla--And that was just the 2014 movie. Imagine the article he could write with the latest films.
I love how this form is an homage to Varan.
SarcasticGoji,
There are definitely two (types of) Rodans, but age and sex is not the difference between them.
Off the top of my head I can't think of a kaiju that I particularly dislike--I just prefer some more than others.
The voice, was ruined by american dubs, the japanese voice was fine
Minilla
He's very cursed
It does evolve, we’ve seen a scene in which godzilla aqualitis becomes Amphibious.
Yeah It's really good. It has a strange premise (3 kids being stuck in a fantasy world filled with talking amphibians) and lot of weird humor and crazy characters (which I like), but it also has a lot of emotion and can get surprisingly dark for a kids show (especially during the season 2 finale, no spoilers but it has a really brutal moment that's actually pretty shocking for a Disney show). My only complaint is that some of the episode morals feel a little forced (not in a bad way though). And thankfully it doesn't try to hard to be "woke" like other shows. Despite being a kid's show it can easily be enjoyed by adults (I'm 24 and I really like it,).
Overall, it's a cute show that's pretty funny and entertaining. So if you like animation with a crazy plot and out there concepts I would recommend it.
It's the varan looking one..cool.
Singular Point... I like this Godzilla
M.O.G.U.E.R.A. (1994)
It's supposed to be an "upgrade" for Mechagodzilla.
It's "superior" in the same way that a Virtual Boy is "superior" to a Nintendo Switch (NOT AT ALL...)
Aw man don't make me choose :(
I heard of that show..is it good?
"Godzilla Amphibia"
After a bit of thinking, a came to the conclusion that its hard for me to dislike any kaiju. I grew fond of them. I guess the giant condor was useless, but still holds a tiny space in my heart.
oh wow, it’s worse than I remember. And I’ve watched that film recently
I like most kaiju, even Gabara, but not Giant condor, it’s kinda useless
