New Replies (Page 677)
I thought Shin was fresh and new. It featured Godzilla in a way that no one else has showed him before.
Legendary has a new angle with Monarch and that is really neat. But I feel like Monarch isn't something we have not seen before. We had in the Heisei series G-Force, the millennium series had a couple of agencies that hunted down Kaiju's, the G-Graspers, Kiryu Group, and the Mutant force in Godzilla Final Wars. They all studied and fought giant monsters. Monarch just needs a giant robot monster and we have another agency to add to this list.
Kong could die. He dies in almost every other film he is in. Not saying he should die, but it could happen. Godzilla so far has proven that he is ruthless.
Kong could die because that's just part of his films. Besides KKvG(1962) and King Kong Escapes, KSI gives us a fresh Kong movie where he isn't climbing a skyscraper and then falling from it and dying. But he dies half the time in his movies. That's a 50% chance, literally! Including Son of Kong and King Kong Lives he dies in half of them!
Godzilla dies in 4 films(including the 98 film and the ending to GMK where we see his heart still beating like in a Friday the 13th movie ending) and Godzilla S.O.S is sketchy and Shin he is just frozen not killed, but that is a 13.3333% chance of Godzilla dying in any film. That up to next 50% of Kong, it just seems like everybody would be ok with that result. Depending on the way they execute it.
Kong dying in any film is like expecting Romeo to kill himself at the end of the play. We literally see it all the time. He is the Brad Dourif of monsters. He is the one that always dies.
One of my top 5 favorite films is The Return Of Godzilla, so Hashimoto is a good one for me. I have not seen any other movie with him directing but I loved his style and approach to Godzilla. I would have loved to see more Godzilla movies directed by him.
Honda and Fukuda are also my favorite out of respect. Honda made a lot of my favorite Japanese sci-fi movies. His tones and style always bring it home for me. They are always exciting and fun to see. While Fukuda made great action movies. GvTSM and SOG are fun to watch and take a break from Godzilla smashing up cities. Instead he puts Godzilla in a different but familiar setting and lets the story have fun. When I watch SOG I love the way Kamacarus and Kumonga interact with the human actors. For his other films, Godzilla vs Gigan is my most favorite from Fukada. The fight scenes are so well choreographed. I could go on on that film.
Anno and Higuchi did a wonderful job on Shin Gojira making that one of my top 5 fav's.
Banno has the score for most creative and distinct G film
Emmerich and Edwards are my least favorite. I don't think Emmerich knows how to take a giant monster like Godzilla and really capture what makes him Godzilla. Don't get me wrong, the scenes with Godzilla entering Manhattan before actually seeing him are really crazy and thrilling. But the way they designed him along with trying to make old school G fans like the film because they wanted to use his original Japanese name Gojira was cheap and lazy way to get us to want to feel like this was a real Godzilla movie. It was fun but not a Godzilla movie to me.
I could go on about Edwards and his short comings on G14 but I don't want to bore you all. He really let me down with the monster action. For all the resources he had along with the right story and special FX, he fell short on what I feel a monster movie should be. His other films are very similar, they drive heavy with the character drama but when something actually happens to do something with the title of the film, he shy's away claiming he wants the monsters featured to keep having a great impact on the audience. But I feel its an excuse for him not to show the monsters because he runs out of ways to keep a monster interesting and fresh throughout the films. Hes not a great story teller and Godzilla director period. I thank him for giving the character new life but keep him at a distance.
Honda and Fukuda are easily number one and two on my list, respectively, but it's more difficult ranking the rest. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II is my favorite film, but none of Okawara's other efforts rank particularly high on my list, save for maybe Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. I'd probably give the second spot to Omori, since Godzilla vs. Biollante is one of my favorites and I also hold Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah in relatively high regard. Kaneko would also be up there if I count his work on the Gamera trilogy. Gamera 2 and 3 are two of the greatest kaiju eiga ever made in my opinion, and GMK is the standout film of the Millennium series as far as I'm concerned.
I'd have to say Motoyoshi Oda would be my least favorite Godzilla director (not counting Emmerich), simply by default. His only work on the series was Godzilla Raids Again, a film I've never particularly cared for. I'd like to get a chance to watch Invisible Man to get a better gauge for Oda's directing ability outside of Godzilla Raids Again. Masaaki Tezuka also unfortunately doesn't rank too highly on my list. Don't get me wrong, I really respect Tezuka and think there is a lot of merit to be found in his films, but none of his films particularly resonate with me, and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus is one of my least favorite entries in the series. I think Tezuka may have been a bit of a victim of Toho's assembly-line mentality that it employed for the Millennium series, so I don't really hold the quality of his films against him. I do think Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is a legitimately good film and one of the better efforts of the Millennium series, and Tokyo S.O.S. has shades of greatness at some points.
As for uniqueness, I have to give it to Banno. Whatever you think of Godzilla vs. Hedorah, it is a very distinct and memorable film. Banno brought his documentary filmmaking experience to it, and it shows in the film's unique style. Anno would get an honorable mention from me in this respect too. Shin Godzilla is very clearly the product of his unique brand of creativity.
Who would I like to see make more? Obviously I'd love to see Kaneko get another shot at the series, but I'd also kind of be interested to see what Tezuka could have done with more time and potentially less studio control. Personally though, I'd like to see more directors who haven't worked on a Godzilla film yet get the chance to do their own unique take, much like Anno did.
I agree that Godzilla vs. Kong will probably be an executive made movie, but I think with both 2014 and Kong, we've seen that the directors are at least able to use their distinct visual styles. If the deal between Legendary and Toho wasn't the way it was, we could've had the big budget American films and the auteur-esque Toho films (like Shin Godzilla) going on at the same time.
Agreed on Honda. He made the most films and they were very versatile. Practically any basic tone or formula in the series can be traced back to one of his movies and the majority of the imitators didn't hit their dramatic beats as well as his films.
I really am looking forward to Dougherty and Wingard's films, but I don't have particularly high hopes for them. I think they'll be executive visions more than directorial pieces--Especially Godzilla vs. Kong. It's one of the reasons I want Toho to get Godzilla back, just so we can get away from the corporate decision making behind cinematic universes and embrace more auteur-esque pieces like Anno's Shin Godzilla. (That's of course assuming Toho will continue to give their filmmakers the same freedom.)
Kaneko is one I'd like to see return, but not to do a sequel to GMK. I'd rather see what Kaneko's thoughts on the franchise are today and run with a fresh start from there.
Honda will always be the classic. I appreciate what Edwards wanted for 2014, but I don't think the writing supported the film enough for it. I have high hopes for Dougherty and Wingard. I really want to see Anno and Higuchi team up again for another film whether it be a sequel to Shin Godzilla or not. I'd also like to see Kaneko make a return.
I like Honda, Okawara, Anno and Highuchi.
I really like Omori, Kaneko, Anno and Highuchi.
A definite winner huh?.. that does not mean one or the other will die... or does it.. and who.. but.. if there is a much more dangerous threat to contend with.. Kong and Godzilla will team up after a brief battle between each other.. and Kong could very well come out on top.. just like Batman did in B vs S.. while superman.. deals a death blow to an enemy.. because only he could... just like only Godzilla could.. for He has something Kong does not have.. Atomic Breath... and Godzilla may win the big battle.. but sacrifice himself in the process leaving Kong to take the mantle of King. Kind of passing the torch so to speak.
But... I would not like that scenario at all. How could you have a KING OF THE MONSTERS film.. and then in the next.. he dies.. that would be so.. wrong. But if we're talking about a Godzilla species in the first film.. then you have to believe that somewhere there could be an offspring.. and set up future films to come.. now that would be dope in my book.. in my opinion.
Legendary took this G and made him awesome.. and If TOHO says "oh yeah.. we like it.. do more.. with our blessings." then the door is kicked wide open and the franchise stays alive for years to come... cause TOHO has made enough films.. and from 2000 to 2004.. 6 freaking films.. in succession.. and they waited until 2016 for SHIN G.. and it was way different than previous movies.. no.. it's time for fresh ideas and I think Legendary has taken the right approach to it.. again in my opinion.
I think it'll just show a little teaser, like the first BvS teaser where we just see that Godzilla and Kong will be in the same movie.
Agree with what's been said.
Oh and I would love to see other great Toho monsters in the next 2 films. ebirah could be fun to see in GvKK. I could just see that in there. Along with other famous Toho monsters.
Its all very hard to say about the role Godzilla will take by 2020. After KOTM, he may have a different opinion of human kind by the end of the film. For now he seems to be this equalizer, putting things back into a balance. He could unite with Mothra and Rodan to fight an alien monster like Ghidorah for the sake of the planets balance.
But maybe by the end of the movie he could maybe see mankind as an unbalance to Earth. We might be confused as to what we think natures balance means to us as a species. Godzilla may be a defender of earth, but that doesn't mean he will always defend humans.
We are destroying the planet, polluting the oceans and the atmosphere, he may see us as the unbalance. Hence changing his role from antagonist to protagonist for 2020. Maybe bringing Kong into the picture and role of protector of humans. So putting Kong as a antagonist would suit him much better. He can show depth in his character, he can look sad or upset or happy. He can smile if he wanted to. He would better be suited for a hero rather than Godzilla.
Godzilla hasn't shown that kind of versatility with his character in Monsterverse. G14 showed us Godzilla actually showing some emotion. In the scene where we see him engulfed with the cloud of dust just after defeating the male MUTO, we see pain in his eyes. A sense of defeat or failure to defeat both MUTO's. But that was very short lived. Compare that to the scene in KSI where Mason Weaver touches Kong. Kong literally almost tears up, maybe Kong remembers his parents touch or feel. That brings him back to something really deep and something we the audience can get behind and root for.
Godzilla(as far as we know for this series) hasn't shown that kind of connection with the audience. It would be much easier to portray Godzilla as a bad guy after KTOM than showing Kong as a bad guy in 2020. So in my very limited outlook and opinion on your question, I could see Godzilla changing roles very easily in the next 2 movies.
But I still see Godzilla as the victor, no one will be happy if he is defeated.
Yes there is room to show an alliance between the 2 to fight a bigger monster.
Biollante looks great! can't wait!
I really want to get Servum.
^sweet, thank you. I love all of those kaiju movies and think they are the pinnacle of Japanese monster movies. I however have never seen Attack on Titan 1 & 2. But I do intend to see them.
September 22nd also marks the birthday of Shinji Higuchi, the prolific special effects director of the Gamera Trilogy and Shin Godzilla--As well as co-director of Shin Godzilla and leading director for the Attack on Titan films. He was also an assistant director for special effects on The Return of Godzilla.
^And the hand gestures, yes.
Tsuchiya is one of my all time favorite actors of the Godzilla franchise and tokusatsu. Dare I say his passing has affected me more than Nakajima's for the mere fact that I wasn't anticipating it... Such an incredible and often overlooked talent. He was from an age where the Godzilla series had some real A-List stars and he was certainly one of them.
1. Godzilla/Kong/Cloverfield
2. King Ghidorah
3. Knifehead
4. Destoroyah
5. Jet Jaguar
6. Zilla/Zilla Jr.
7. Orga
8. Titanosaurus
9. King Ceasar
10. Battra
I watched the 98 cartoon a couple years ago. I thought it was pretty good.
In Invasion of Astro Monster, didn't Tsuchiya make up the alien language? There is a couple of scenes where they speak their own language for a couple of seconds. I believe Tsuchiya made up that alien language for The Controller.
If there was a Godzilla vs Gamera movie, Godzilla should kill a child to piss off Gamera. In my opinion, that would be the best plot device in a monster film for me. I know it sounds dark.
I rewatched some of the 98 cartoon recently and I'd have to give it to that one. While the Hanna Barbera godzilla was something I enjoyed when I was younger and watched it, I don't think there's much to the show. Both are fun, but the 98 show works better imo.
Tsuchiya is one of my favorite actors from Toho's kaiju and sci-fi films. He really had a commanding onscreen presence, and had terrific range, playing sympathetic heroic characters and cold, evil villainous characters. And of course one can't talk about Tsuchiya without mentioning his enthusiasm for science-fiction and seeking out strange and mysterious roles. In his own words, "I don't like playing just regular guys."
The anecdote of him passing up the lead in The Mysterians just to get to play the Mysterian Leader has always stuck with me. It was reportedly Tsuchiya's idea to have the character speak in a stunted, robotic voice in sync with the sound of his universal translator, which gives the convincing effect of a real computer-generated voice.
Like Yoshimitsu Banno and Haruo Nakajima, Tsuchiya will be greatly missed, but left behind a powerful legacy that will endure through generations of fans of kaiju eiga and Japanese science-fiction.
10) Hedorah
9) Biollante
8) King Ghidorah (mecha-king ghidorah)
7) MechaGodzilla (all)
6) Mothra
5) Rodan
4) Destroyah
3) Gigan
2) Spacegodzilla
1) All Godzilla's
^same here. Im waiting for Toho to give the films an official series name.
But Legendary is "Monsterverse" to me.
Godzilla Saves The Earth for PS2. But before that was Super Godzilla! I would always play through just to become Super Godzilla!
Will be missed. Through film no one truly dies. Rest In Piece.
Rest in Peace, Yosho Tsuchiya.
1. Godzilla
2. Red
3. King Kong
4. Solomon
5. Anguirus
6. King Ghidorah
7. MechaGodzilla
8. Rodan
9. Megalon
10. Hedorah
As characters go, I would have loved to see Fords father remain alive. Brian Cranston gave an excellent performance, in reality seeing him be able to help destroy the MUTO's in the end would have felt much better than seeing Ford do it. After seeing his wife die right before his eyes, making a huge sacrifice to save others, then living like a crackpot for years, losing his relationship with his son and grandson, it would have been way better to see him gain revenge against the monsters that destroyed his family by destroying the MUTO babies. It would have been poetic justice. Then at the end be reunited with his son and grandson. That would have been way better character development and story telling. Ford I felt did not possess those abilities to drive a movie to that. It fell short in my opinion.
"Godzilla: Destroy All Monster Melee" was my childhood game, although i don't really play it much.
I tend to count the MonsterVerse and newer Toho movies as completely separate "eras" in the Godzilla series. They may overlap time-wise, but they're largely unconnected outside of featuring Godzilla. I personally call the Toho films "Post-Millennium era," at least until Toho gives them an official name, while I've seen some Japanese websites refer to them as "Phase Four" or "2010's series." Either way, I don't think they should be considered one and the same as the MonsterVerse. It would be like counting GODZILLA (1998) as part of the Millennium series.
