I have taken upon myself to review the "Heisei" Godzilla movies. Basically, these are a series of seven newer Godzilla movies which have not fully been released in the US (at this writing, the last three still haven't made it to America).
Since most of the movies were made in the 90s, they feature better special effects, modern buildings, and actual Japanese landmarks. The characters look more stylish and use updated technology and military equipment. The monsters are more powerful (all with beam or fire weapons) and Godzilla is bigger, buffer, and a lot meaner.
However, not all of the campiness is gone from the Godzilla we grew up with. If one wanted to make a "realistic" Godzilla movie, you'd have give him a more reptilian form, take away his maple-leaf spikes, and remove his atomic fire breath. In short, you'd have a disaster!
After seeing all the Heisei movies, here's my ratings:
1. Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1954)
My favorite still remains the original, which I consider one of the best movies of all time. Can you name any other movie that spawned 22 sequels?
2. Godzilla vs. King Ghidora (1991)
Objective Synopsis: Try to stay with me on this one. Japan asks time-travelers to help get rid of Godzilla. Then the nefarious time-travelers send Ghidora (Ghidrah) to destroy Tokyo. Japan gets Godzilla to defeat Ghidora and the time-travelers. As Japan applauds its savior, Godzilla turns around and stomps Tokyo. Japan asks the time travelers to stop Godzilla with Ghidora (now MechaGhidora). Whew!
Logical flaw: Even though they went back in time and prevented Godzilla from ever existing, everyone seemed to remember him.
Favorite part: Lots of battles: Godzillasaurus vs US Army, Ghidora vs Japan, Godzilla vs Ghidora, Godzilla vs Japan, MechaGhidora vs. Godzilla.
Part I could've done without: "Take that, you dinosaur!" and the Terminator guy running. You'll just have to watch the movie to appreciate these gems.
My take: This was the most entertaining, because there seemed to be so much happening. To wit: Godzilla's roots, Ghidora without the beards, MechaGhidora, the silly Terminator guy, and the "unique" take on the Grandfather paradox.
[Editor: Click here for my take on this flick. ^_^ ]
3. Godzilla vs. Destroyer (1995) (not released in the US)
Objective Synopsis: This is Godzillas final movie, the one where he dies (even CNN ran an obituary). He is about to undergo nuclear meltdown, and Japan must figure out how to stop him before he destroys the world (see China Syndrome). They decide that Godzilla must be in Tokyo when he blows up, so they lure Junior (that's what they call Godzilla's son) to Japan to act as bait. It doesn't help that a powerful new monster, Destroyer, appears when Junior arrives in Tokyo. I found Godzilla's death at the end very moving, especially with Akira Ifukubes haunting music.
Logical flaw: What were Destroyers oxygen-destroying capabilities?
Favorite part: The final form of Destroyer rising out from the fire. Very, very impressive!
Part I couldve done without: The "Aliens" scene with the people-sized Destroyers
My take: I gotta get a figure of Destroyers final form. Do I rate this high just because it was Godzilla's finale? No, I rate it high because Destroyer looked so awesome, Toho's best looking monster since Gigan.
4. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1993) (not released in the US)
Objective Synopsis: Rodan is found on an island defending an egg, which the humans wisely procure (Oh, he won't come looking for it ). Out of the egg hatches a baby Godzilla, who is people-sized and quite friendly. Oddly enough, Godzilla starts smashing Japan looking for his son. The UNGCC(United Nations Godzilla Control Center) builds MechaGodzilla to stop Godzilla and Rodan.
Logical flaw: The UN built MechaGodzilla, as if he attacks anywhere but Japan!
Favorite part: Seeing Rodan again. Note the improved beak (watch "Destroy All Monsters").
Part I could've done without: Baby Godzilla's eyelids; looking at MechaGodzilla as a good guy.
My take: This is one of my favorites, along with the Destroyer and King Ghidora movies. Even in the 70s, MechaGodzilla was the toughest opponent. This has some of the best fight scenes, especially since Godzilla was almost killed.
5. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994) (not released in the US)
Objective Synopsis: The UNGCC builds Mogera, a robot who looks simply stupid and ridiculous, and I cannot exaggerate this enough. Imagine a penguin and a power drill. Anyway, Mogera is supposed to fight Godzilla, but the powerful SpaceGodzilla arrives and becomes a greater threat.Godzilla seemed to be in the background, the movie shouldve been titled "Mogera vs SpaceGodzilla."
Logical flaw: Mogera was an improvement over MechaGodzilla?
Favorite part: SpaceGodzilla creates a shield to deflect Godzilla's blast; Little Godzilla playing with the "dangerous" land mines.
Part I could've done without: The battle around the styrofoam asteroids; Mogera;
My take: Is "SpaceGodzilla" the best name Toho could come up with? Little Godzilla looks "cute", and I'm sure a lot of fans didn't like him. But I did and thought he was a bright spot in the film. Seeing Godzilla protect his baby reminded me of when Godzilla was a good guy. And I think I've made my opinion of Mogera quite clear.
6. Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)
Objective Synopsis: Godzilla meets Jerry Springer. This love triangle involves Mothra, who smashes Japan because those irritating twins are kidnapped. Battra, an evil black moth who fights Mothra. And Godzilla, who shows up just hating everyone in general. The monsters are awakened by a meteor. Even "Armageddon" didnt cause this much trouble!
Logical flaw: The meteor and monsters are somehow linked to the way we mistreat the Earth.
Favorite part: The final fight around Yokohama landmarks, like the ferris wheel and Landmark hotel
Part I could've done without: Those annoying twins; the subtle environmental message
My take: I never figured out why people liked Mothra: A useless grub or a "beautiful" fuzzy moth, not really much of a powerful monster. I liked Battra and the fight around the ferris wheel. But those damn twins negate almost all the good parts.
7. Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)
Objective Synopsis: After Godzillas raid in 1984, a scientist picks up Godzilla cells to create an anti-Godzilla monster. They combine the cells with a rose (?) and the scientists deceased daughter (!?). Biollante appears as a stationary rose, and later a huge monster. The monsters form was hard to grasp, all you see are jaws with lots of teeth and tentacles/vines with teeth.
Logical flaw: Picking a rose to complete Godzillas opponent. Why not a shark, or at least a venus fly trap?
Favorite part: Godzilla torching the rose. Finally, a breath weapon that actually damages a monster.
Part I could've done without: The daughters "aura" was a photograph!
My take: A rose? A rose? Then again, there was a first glimpse of the new higher-budget type movies. The good parts are the battle scenes and the improved, bad-boy Godzilla.
8. Godzilla 1985 (1984 in Japan)
Objective Synopsis: First of all, ignore all Godzilla movies since the original in 1954. He never fought King Kong, teamed up with Jet Jaguar, did a tail slide, or saved the earth from the Smog Monster. He destroyed Tokyo in 1954 and now he's back. He's a bad monster again and stomps Tokyo.
Logical flaw: Japan, essentially disarmed since WWII, has all these laser tanks and Super-Xs.
Favorite part: Godzilla toppling the building on the Super-X.
Part I could've done without: Getting rid of Godzilla by making him follow birds.
My take: Why do I get an irresistable urge to drink Dr Pepper? Honestly, I rate this one below most of the 60s and 70s movies. I found it surprisingly poorly done and I don't even want to think about it.
Thanks for the opinions! Remember, if you want to submit something, just drop me a line at gleep9@hotmail.com. Pop out of here to either the Godzilla or main page. [Personally, the singing Mothra midgets rank just behind the psychic woman with the banjo ears as my favorite human characters in the Godzilla flicks, but that's just me.]
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