Godzilla 2016: The Monster He Should Be?

@Jamaal,

There is nothing more to me than getting that solo film. Like I said I enjoy the hell out of these other Godzilla films. They are fun, entertaining, spectacular, etc.

I really love Godzilla when he is solo. I know that the original Japanese masterpiece Godzilla 54' is overrated in the fan base, but, it's how Godzilla started and the way he needs to be. Whether he is fighting other monsters, he needs to show the symbolism of just how dangerous he is. Like Gmk, Mothra vs. Godzilla 64 and raids again. He was nearly unstoppable in those films. 

From what I've heard and read, Toho seems to be competing with legendary. If that's happening, then to me it would make much more sense for that solo film in my opinion. They will not be able to outdo the special effects, but they can provide a more detailed story, and monster action with out the cut scenes.

I feel like if they do compete with each other, then we could get an American release like 2000. Speaking of 2000, I found Godzilla to be something else that I enjoyed. He wasn't necessarily a hero, nor a villain. He killed Katagiry, caused some destruction, and left behind the sea of fire. 2000 is my 2nd favorite of the millennium series.

As long as they push each other and make things right, then we should be in really good hands. Shinji Higuchi really likes to pull out something different with each special effects that he creates for the different films he has worked on. His special effects in Gamera trilogy were absolutely delicious. He did Gamera right and made him with more powers then he had before, so, I'm wondering how much he will give Godzilla. He may not give him more powers, but he damn sure can make his atomic breath much more destructive than ever before. His explosions in the first Gamera film of the 90's came from his mentor Teruyoshi Nakano. So, he has learned from a master and has become a master. 

I'm really hoping for the best, hell we all do. However, we won't know anything until news starts pouring out.

HUGE-BEN and JAMAAL - I certainly hope we are given new information soon! I simply can not wait for any snippets they are intent on releasing in the future! My hopes are extremely high for this film! :)

Hopefully, one of the things to come out of the whole phenomenon of the Legendary Godzilla, is a renewed sense of pride on the part of Toho regarding Godzilla specifically, and the genre and tokusatsu generally. They do not have to emulate western style special effects films. Toho and Japan, have something that is unique to them, which originated in their land and is one of the defining aspects of their culture. And it starts with Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This gives this narrative, which affects the world, its weight, rendering it worthy of respect and attention. With this in mind, the potential for a moving, engrossing story as the backdrop to the spectacle that is the advent of a giant monster, is immense. There is so much that can be stated, symbolically and actually, with this film, that it is staggering.

This is one of the many reasons why the fan in me craves a Japanese Godzilla, and fervently.

@Jamaal,

Your words of wisdom just really make me feel a connection from a fan point. The Japanese Godzilla is our Godzilla. That means everyone's. What will this Godzilla represent? What metaphor could they add to him besides the atomic bomb? What kind of message will this film deliver? There's so many questions with no answers that we keep speculating about. Remember the nightmare Gamera from ionas dream? What will Shinji Higuchi do to this Godzilla? What path are they taking? 

I'm hoping for the absolute best. I don't see a kiddie film either. 

"The Japanese Godzilla is our Godzilla. That means everyone's."

@Huge-Ben:

Exactly. Because of the way it's made, and the origin of its story in human tragedy, there is something innately accessible about the Japanese Godzilla. It's kind of hard to explain. Or, perhaps, it defies explanation. The homemade nature of its filmmaking and effects makes the Japanese Godzilla 'close.' I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I do not feel that way about the Legendary film, as much as I enjoyed it (which was a lot). It seems so distant, with its budget, big studio and corporate backing. This doesn't mean that they can't make a good film; they did. And, they will, God willing. But, as a fan, the Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi made film already has a special place in my heart. 

"They do not have to emulate western style special effects films. Toho and Japan, have something that is unique to them, which originated in their land and is one of the defining aspects of their culture."

God almighty; quoted, screened and tweeted for truth.

Listen, I'm not sure how carried away we should get with claiming the 2016 film will have an uber-dark, brooding atmosphere-- It won't be a kiddie movie, but I don't think we should take for granted it will be 2 hours of the 2014 movie's proof-of-concept trailer. There's just too little information out there.

But Jamaal's quote is something that I DO think we need to put hope and faith in. Even if this turns out to be the modern Godzilla vs. Megalon, for an extreme example, Toho should be proud of tokusatsu. They should continue to push it without believing it's inferior to Hollywood's current effects style.

This is Japan's movie, Japan's franchise, Japan's cultural icon. Let it be something unique and empowering to what it came from.

^Exactly.

It should be a full Japanese, tokusatsu-inspired restating of Godzilla.

I feel everything is in place for this: the directors, the reception given to the Legendary film, even that film's success, all of this seems to point to the desire to make a great, thoroughly Japanese Godzilla, with no apologies.

I hope everything that is, and will, take place with regard to the production of this film is being meticulously recorded and filmed. I want to see as much of what is going into this film as possible.

A summer 2016 trip to Tokyo would be just what the doctor ordered.

@Jamaal,

If I owned a computer, you sir would be getting a hundred applause gifs right now. But, to heck with it. "Applauds endlessly."

Gman2887 beat me to quoting and tweeting your replies above. No one I have ever came across has showed the power and meaningfulness of this great franchise. I salute you sir. You should join me and Gman2887 on Twitter if you're not too busy sometime. We'd love to have you there. We do live commentary on these great films whenever we can. I'd be honored to have you join. :)