Official Godzilla 2016 discussion thread!

Early on during the pre-production of Godzilla 2000 Millennium, one of the rumored plots had Godzilla fighting some kind of 'energy creature.' It sounded intriguing at the time.

We are 15 years down the road digital effects-wise. I hope some imagination is going into Toho Godzilla 2016, especially in the area of enemy kaiju, if there are any.

"So, in conclusion, what we are asking for is pretty much, the perfect Godzilla film. All Godzilla films have flaws, but with everything we have discussed, we want it all with Tohos Godzilla 2016 film."

BigBadBen: the well is primed, so to speak. Now is the time for Toho to put it all together, take the time needed and produce a great film. The next film doesn't have to be perfect, and it won't. But it can be meaningful, visually spectacular and exciting. The talent and the potential for this is in Japan. I believe this.

Do we want it all?

Yes. And why not? This is Godzilla.

"I'm afraid that Toho and Godzilla are beyond our scientific understanding."

Jamaal, that never stopped them before. This time though..."Nothing can save the city now." Raymond Burr.

I, like you, want it all. Do a cross between the qualities of the original Godzilla, with what Gamera 3 delivered.

"I, like you, want it all. Do a cross between the qualities of the original Godzilla, with what Gamera 3 delivered."

@BigBadBen:

Something approaching the quality and production values of these two films would be remarkable. I believe, ultimately, it comes down to not only the execution of the technical aspects of the special and visual effects, but also the writing and the strength of the film's narrative. These are two things Gojira and Gamera 3 have in common. If the film can make the audience feel that they're on a journey, visually and emotionally, by connecting us to the characters and endowing those characters with purpose, we will wind up invested in the story as it unfolds. I believe the key is balancing spectacle and entertainment value on one hand, with a meaningful, consequential story on the other.

Gojira and Gamera 3 are great to look at; they're spectacular, actually. But they also have layers of narrative and meaning at the same time.

^Which is what this godzilla film needs. Narrative, meaning, and the quality that could come close, or even be matched with those two films.

This new film should be Suitmation, CGI just wouldn't work that is Legendarys territory.

I believe that traditional tokusatsu effects, augmented by a judicious use of CGI, is the way to go.

One of the areas in which I think digital effects would be used, would be the enemy kaiju, depending upon its physical appearance, attributes and capabilities. Of course, some digital effects would be used for Godzilla as well, in addition to, but not in place of, suitmation.

I would hope that the film has an edginess to it, with scenes that are shocking and jaw-dropping. It should not be a visual version of a bedtime story that would be read to children. And while I prefer dark and layered, I also want instances of humor to counterbalance the destruction and horror that must necessarily result from giant monsters with indescribible powers figthing in heavily populated areas.

Special attention must be paid to the special and visual effects. Even with suits and miniatures, it must look real. I'm not advocating the abandoning of the stylistic quailties that distinguish tokusatsu films and give them that special look we all love. But, it's got to be believable. I believe this is possible; that it look like a Japanese Godzilla film, and have production values that make the audience buy into it.

The story has to be meaningful, well-written and exciting. It should be suspenseful. The human characters must do things that we can identify with and relate to. Like the Shinoda's in Godzilla 2000 Millennium, the human characters in the Heisei Gamera films, or the Tachibanas in Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, they must be seen acting like regular people. This way, it seems real, like the events we're witnessing are actually happining. If the human characters are unintentionally made android-like, by not doing the things that people do, like, for instance, sharing a meal, it diminishes the greatness of the things that are doing during the struggle to help save their country.That they display fragility, makes their courageous actions all the more remarkable.

I guess it all comes down to the artists involved, the resources allocated and the time given to make this film.

I was watching this, and thinking about the new Godzilla 2016 and what it'd' look like if it were to be CGI...

Link incase the video isn't showing up

I just watched it, and...it's not that bad. I'm thinking that I could live with this...I guess.

But, I'm biased. I like the way these kind of effects look: good enough to enable the audience to buy into it, but, stylistic enough to not look entirely reality-based. But, I think this is what you want given the subject matter. But will it look real enough to appeal to non-fans, and thus be commercially successful?

Thank you for posting this.

I rewatched it, and it was pretty good. I love the look of the visuals.

If Godzilla 2016 looks something like this, as a fan, for whatever it's worth, I'll be happy. But I think that Toho is probably going to aim for something higher in terms of overall VFX.

For me, however, something that big, moving like that, is always mesmerizing.

@Jamaal

I agree, whilst not quite as realistic as Godzilla 2014, it's style and movement is always very appealing.