This is a part of Kaiju Universe that will review kaiju movies. A few days a week, I will post one or two reviews, starting with Godzilla: King of the Monsters! and work up to Gamera the Brave. Each movie will be rated from A to F (Hopefully, I won't have to use the F). With some movies, I will review the Japanese version along with the American version (unless the American and Japanese versions are the same). Enjoy!
Godzilla (1954)
Of all Ishiro Honda's work, This film would have to be his masterpiece. Why do I say this? Well, for starters, the tone of the movie. Unlike many of the 60s of 70s films, Godzilla is a dark, serious and sometimes frightening film without being to boring. Sure, Honda's other films like Matango, Mothra vs. Godzilla and even Varan: the Unbelievable where kept at around the same tone, but there was always some camppines or "cheese" added to it, but not Godzilla.
The second reason I say this is because of the special effects. The models where actually very well made and looked great when they where up close to the monster. One of the best examples was the "bird cage scene" where Godzilla stands next to a gigantic bird house, containing real live birds. It's just amazing how realistic it looks and that it's not just a little cage with plastic birds flapping around. Another well done scene is where Godzilla sticks his head above a building that actually has real people in it screaming in terror. But the most impressive feature is the suit. Although it may be a bit dated compared to the Godzilla in Final Wars, it's still a great first-time achievement.
And the music! Oh my god the music! If anyone can top Akira Ifukube that person would be the best composer on Earth. I've never heard such beautiful and haunting music in my life!
From the first roar that left Godzilla's mighty jaws, to the exiting underwater climax, Godzilla is a very impressive film and definitely Ishiro Hoda's finest achievement. I purchased the DVD Gojira (Godzilla) a few months ago and not only would I recommend the disc, but I HIGHLY recommend the movie.
Godzilla (1954)
Of all Ishiro Honda's work, This film would have to be his masterpiece. Why do I say this? Well, for starters, the tone of the movie. Unlike many of the 60s of 70s films, Godzilla is a dark, serious and sometimes frightening film without being to boring. Sure, Honda's other films like Matango, Mothra vs. Godzilla and even Varan: the Unbelievable where kept at around the same tone, but there was always some camppines or "cheese" added to it, but not Godzilla.The second reason I say this is because of the special effects. The models where actually very well made and looked great when they where up close to the monster. One of the best examples was the "bird cage scene" where Godzilla stands next to a gigantic bird house, containing real live birds. It's just amazing how realistic it looks and that it's not just a little cage with plastic birds flapping around. Another well done scene is where Godzilla sticks his head above a building that actually has real people in it screaming in terror. But the most impressive feature is the suit. Although it may be a bit dated compared to the Godzilla in Final Wars, it's still a great first-time achievement.
And the music! Oh my god the music! If anyone can top Akira Ifukube that person would be the best composer on Earth. I've never heard such beautiful and haunting music in my life!
From the first roar that left Godzilla's mighty jaws, to the exiting underwater climax, Godzilla is a very impressive film and definitely Ishiro Hoda's finest achievement. I purchased the DVD Gojira (Godzilla) a few months ago and not only would I recommend the disc, but I HIGHLY recommend the movie.
Rating:A GODZILLA SIZED A+!!
Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
Well to start off, Godzilla Raids Again is, in my opinion underrated in almost every way. First off, the music. Obviously it doesn't stand up to the quality of Ifukube's 1954 score for Godzilla, but it still manages to be erie and excellent at the same time. For example, when Godzilla and Anguirus are fighting, the score is so deep, it actually sounds scary! Also, when the planes fly over the city to confront Godzilla, there is not music at all. You just hear the sound of the planes. Unfortunately, this scene was ruined in Gigantis the Fire Monster, where you hear happy, jumpy music!
The special effects are, like the original very well done. The Godzilla suit looks VERY menacing with it's fangs and pointed ears. I can say the same about Anguirus to. Whereas Anguirus was made to look less "evil" in films like Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla vs. Gigan, the monster looks just as menacing as Godzilla does.
The main reason why this film is underrated is because most people have only seen the "monstrosity" (overstatement there) version (Gigantis the Fire Monster). Many people think that these two versions are the same, but those people are dead wrong. Everything that was wrong with the American version was just right here.
The good news is that, like other old kaiju movies, Godzilla Raids Again was recently released on to DVD in the states. Now, people can see how amazing this version of the film is compared to the 1959 one. What I would recommend doing is purchasing that DVD on a rainy weekend afternoon, make two buckets of popcorn and watch Godzilla Raids Again in the dead of the night.
Well to start off, Godzilla Raids Again is, in my opinion underrated in almost every way. First off, the music. Obviously it doesn't stand up to the quality of Ifukube's 1954 score for Godzilla, but it still manages to be erie and excellent at the same time. For example, when Godzilla and Anguirus are fighting, the score is so deep, it actually sounds scary! Also, when the planes fly over the city to confront Godzilla, there is not music at all. You just hear the sound of the planes. Unfortunately, this scene was ruined in Gigantis the Fire Monster, where you hear happy, jumpy music!The special effects are, like the original very well done. The Godzilla suit looks VERY menacing with it's fangs and pointed ears. I can say the same about Anguirus to. Whereas Anguirus was made to look less "evil" in films like Destroy All Monsters and Godzilla vs. Gigan, the monster looks just as menacing as Godzilla does.
The main reason why this film is underrated is because most people have only seen the "monstrosity" (overstatement there) version (Gigantis the Fire Monster). Many people think that these two versions are the same, but those people are dead wrong. Everything that was wrong with the American version was just right here.
The good news is that, like other old kaiju movies, Godzilla Raids Again was recently released on to DVD in the states. Now, people can see how amazing this version of the film is compared to the 1959 one. What I would recommend doing is purchasing that DVD on a rainy weekend afternoon, make two buckets of popcorn and watch Godzilla Raids Again in the dead of the night.
Rating:B+
Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (1956)
This was the first kaiju movie that I ever saw so it really means a lot. Terry Morse really took this seriously and didn't do what Paul Screibman did to Godzilla Raids Again. Raymond Burr also fists nicely with the Japanese cast, in fact it would be easy to make someone believe that Burr was in the original version of Godzilla. There where so many great things about this film, but of course with the good is always the bad. OK, in this case we shouldn't call it BAD, we should just call it, well not as good as it could have been. For example, instead of having the Ifukube's haunting score for the credits, they only added Godzilla's roar and footsteps. Yes, it is a nice opening for the film, but then you have to wait longer for the music. Another "bad" thing about it is that they lightened up the tone just slightly. There are a few (about two) "jokes" in the film, but really this does not distract the viewer from the rest of the darker parts.
One really nice thing about Godzilla: King of the Monsters! is that some of the lines in the film outshines the Japanese ones. For example, when Ogatta says to Dr. Serizowa (SP?) "you have your fears which might become reality, and then you have Godzilla, which is reality",it makes up for the "jokes" put in earlier in the film.
All in all, Godzilla: King of the Monsters! is in no way a campy science fiction cheepie (again referencing the Americanized Raids Again), but a wonderfully made gem that belongs in every kaiju fan's collection.
Rating: A-
This was the first kaiju movie that I ever saw so it really means a lot. Terry Morse really took this seriously and didn't do what Paul Screibman did to Godzilla Raids Again. Raymond Burr also fists nicely with the Japanese cast, in fact it would be easy to make someone believe that Burr was in the original version of Godzilla. There where so many great things about this film, but of course with the good is always the bad. OK, in this case we shouldn't call it BAD, we should just call it, well not as good as it could have been. For example, instead of having the Ifukube's haunting score for the credits, they only added Godzilla's roar and footsteps. Yes, it is a nice opening for the film, but then you have to wait longer for the music. Another "bad" thing about it is that they lightened up the tone just slightly. There are a few (about two) "jokes" in the film, but really this does not distract the viewer from the rest of the darker parts.One really nice thing about Godzilla: King of the Monsters! is that some of the lines in the film outshines the Japanese ones. For example, when Ogatta says to Dr. Serizowa (SP?) "you have your fears which might become reality, and then you have Godzilla, which is reality",it makes up for the "jokes" put in earlier in the film.
All in all, Godzilla: King of the Monsters! is in no way a campy science fiction cheepie (again referencing the Americanized Raids Again), but a wonderfully made gem that belongs in every kaiju fan's collection.
Rating: A-
Rodan (1956)
This is one of those movies that will always be remembered even by non kaiju fans. The reason for this is mainly because of the monster itself. A pterodactyl is something that is easily remembered by people and can also shock them with fear (in the old days, that is). For instance, if you take a monster like Guiron, a creature with a knife for a head is not easily remembered because it doesn't remind people of anything in the real world. Another big leap for this film is that it was Toho's first monster film shot in color! The last and most important thing though is that it was directed by Ishiro Honda. Yay!As for the special effects, well they certainly aren't as good as the ones in Godzilla, but hey, it's 1956, what do you expect? There is one thing that I would like to comment on though. The Meganulon suit is by all means great, but if you compare it to the Rodans, well, it just looks like it could have used a little bit more work.
Rodan is, like many movies of the 60's, pure monster fun. Rodan is a magnificent creation and it sucks that it was made worse as the Showa Godzilla movies continued. Rodan also seems like a monster that would make a good series of it's own or maybe even a TV series.
Rating:B
Half Human (1957)
Holly crap! Did the American editors even WATCH the Japanese version?? They didn't even dub it, they just added narration, happy music and cut 30 minutes! I really need to get ahold of a Japanese version, even if it doesn't have subtitles. OK, enough gripping, lets go over the GOOD parts about the movie:
1. It's REALLY rare, so once you get it, you sort of ignore the flaws
2. The snowman is kinda creepy, which is always good
3. At least they kind of kept the same plot outline, unlike what happened to Giant Monster Varan
4. It's actually very entertaining
Well, I'm out of ideas (there are probably lots more), overall, Half Human is enjoyable, but if I where to choose between this and Godzilla: King of the Monsters!, stick with Godzilla.
Rating: C++ (in between C+ and B-)
Holly crap! Did the American editors even WATCH the Japanese version?? They didn't even dub it, they just added narration, happy music and cut 30 minutes! I really need to get ahold of a Japanese version, even if it doesn't have subtitles. OK, enough gripping, lets go over the GOOD parts about the movie:1. It's REALLY rare, so once you get it, you sort of ignore the flaws
2. The snowman is kinda creepy, which is always good
3. At least they kind of kept the same plot outline, unlike what happened to Giant Monster Varan
4. It's actually very entertaining
Well, I'm out of ideas (there are probably lots more), overall, Half Human is enjoyable, but if I where to choose between this and Godzilla: King of the Monsters!, stick with Godzilla.
Rating: C++ (in between C+ and B-)
Giant Monster Varan (1958)
This is one of those movies where Ishiro Honda did an amazing job, and some American producer screwed it up. Heck, in the American version, you don't even get to see Varan fly!
This movie, like Godzilla, is serious and scary. The score is one of Ifukube's best, and it sucks that it was only used very briefly in Varan: the Unbelievable. Also, Varan is very unique and interesting, one of my favorites in fact.
As I said, in the review for Godzilla, there is usually some camppines, even in a movie like this. One example is when the young native boy spooks out a group of explorers and tells them: "come to our village, or Baradagi will eat you up". Then, one of the men says, in a very "guy from King Kong vs. Godzilla like way" says "OH NO!!!!!!" Also, this probably wasn't meant to be funny, but when the happy folk (something that I call random people) are bombing Varan underwater, Varan is just sitting there all happy-like as bombs explode all around him. Oh yeah, one more thing. The guy who kept shaking the bamboo stick was funny!
All I can say about Giant Monster Varan is that it's sad how some guy thought "HEY! LET'S TAKE A REALLY GOOD MOVIE AND MAKE IT INTO CRAP!!!!!!!" Hopefully, Classic Media will do the same thing it did for Godzilla Raids Again and release this movie side by side with the American version so people can appreciate this highly underrated film.
This is one of those movies where Ishiro Honda did an amazing job, and some American producer screwed it up. Heck, in the American version, you don't even get to see Varan fly!This movie, like Godzilla, is serious and scary. The score is one of Ifukube's best, and it sucks that it was only used very briefly in Varan: the Unbelievable. Also, Varan is very unique and interesting, one of my favorites in fact.
As I said, in the review for Godzilla, there is usually some camppines, even in a movie like this. One example is when the young native boy spooks out a group of explorers and tells them: "come to our village, or Baradagi will eat you up". Then, one of the men says, in a very "guy from King Kong vs. Godzilla like way" says "OH NO!!!!!!" Also, this probably wasn't meant to be funny, but when the happy folk (something that I call random people) are bombing Varan underwater, Varan is just sitting there all happy-like as bombs explode all around him. Oh yeah, one more thing. The guy who kept shaking the bamboo stick was funny!
All I can say about Giant Monster Varan is that it's sad how some guy thought "HEY! LET'S TAKE A REALLY GOOD MOVIE AND MAKE IT INTO CRAP!!!!!!!" Hopefully, Classic Media will do the same thing it did for Godzilla Raids Again and release this movie side by side with the American version so people can appreciate this highly underrated film.
Rating:B+
The H-Man (1958)
The second movie in the "H" trilogy (starting with Half Human and ending with The Human Vapor), The H-Man is, by no doubt the creepiest of Honda's films. The H-Men themselves are quite impressive, and are sure to give at least 4/10 people to have nightmares. One very impressive part about this film is that it is probably the only film of it's kind (except Godzilla) to be completely 100% serious. I can't think of any time in this movie where there is some goofiness (special effects scenes don't count). The ending words are very chilling "maybe the next ruler of our world will be an H-Man".
OK, I lied a little bit earlier. There is one scene that is rather humorous. When the men are aboard the mysterious ship, one of them tries on some pants that he found saying "I like these pants!!" Fortunately, the next thing we see is him dissolving away after being caught by an H-Man.
Overall, The H-Man is a wonderfully frightening film. I have one tip though: DO NOT WATCH IT AT NIGHT!!!!
Rating:B
Gigantis: the Fire Monster (1959)
Just by looking at the title, you know that something is wrong here. You might be wondering: "who is Gigantis and is he even a Japanese monster?" To answear that question, Gigantis is as much as a Japanese monster that you will ever get (besides the name). But the sad part is: GIGANTIS IS GODZILLA!!!! Yes that's right, Godzilla. In fact, in an interview with the producer of Gigantis: the Fire Monster, Paul Scriebman, Paul said "I wanted to change the name to Gigantis so people would not get it confused with Godzilla". Ummmmm...OK. IT IS GODZILLA!!!!!!!!!!! The dubbing for this film is to hard to describe. Instead of the haunting quote "it seems our darkest fears have come back to greet us", that was spoken by a scientist in the Japanese version, what is found here is "this is BAD! This is bad". Another thing is that not only does Godzilla's name become Gigantis, in one scene, the dubbed Dr. Yemanee shows a picture of "Gigantis" and calls it Anguirus! In fact, when Gigantis was released in America, Screibman said that the original name for the movie, Gojira no Gyakushu (Godzilla's Counter Attack) was Anguirus!
Not only are the people badly dubbed, but the monsters are to. Instead of "Gigantis" using his trademark roar, he uses Anguirus's for most of the film! But the most disturbing part of this film, is that they lightened up the tone by a LOT! For instance, the original, haunting music in the in the Japanese version is replaced by stock music that seems to jumpy to fit the movie.
Despite all of this, Gigantis: the Fire Monster is rather fun to watch. However, if you like your movies to be serious, avoid it at all costs!
Rating:B-
Varan: the Unbelievable (1962)
WHY!!!! I ask. WHY MUST YOU DO THIS TO ISHIRO HONDA?!?!?!?!?!?!?! HE NEVER TOOK ANY OF YOUR MOVIES AND MADE IT INTO CRAP!!! There really isn't much more that I need to say here, but if you like reading reviews for bad movies, please read on.My complaints start with..I don't know where to begin! First of, they deleted almost all of Ifukube's fantastic score and replaced it with..with..UGHH!!!!!
Let's see here, they also deleted the scene where Varan flies. That's right, one of the best done scenes in the Japanese version is left on the cutting room floor. They also replaced Varan's bone chilling roar with a VACUUM CLEANER!
Lastly, THEY CHANGED THE WHOLE &%*$@ PLOT! THE MAIN CHARACTERS IN THE JAPANESE VERSION ARE JUST RANDOM PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE do yourself a favor and get ahold of the original version. You will be very happy you did.
Rating:D
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
This movie should really be called The Adventures of the highly Insane People Episode One: Attack of the Zipperback Gorilla (Episode Two would be Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, Episode Three would be Son of Godzilla, Episode Four would be Godzilla's Revenge, Episode Five would be Godzilla vs. Hedorah and Episode six would be Gamera: Super Monster. Hah... it even leads up to Star Destroyer from Star Wars exploding (Gamera would play Luke).Anyway, this was a really fun movie. I was shocked when I recieved the original Japanese version how much better this is than the Japanese version. The music was rether memorable, battle scenes where thrilling and best of all, it was funnier than the American version.
What I found great about this film is that, unlike the American version it had no plot holes. The story behind why Tako was so mad about the publicity surounding Godzilla, how the idea of King Kong fighting Godzilla began, they are all gone in the American version and you are just left to wonder.
Overall, it's nice to see some comedy in the Godzilla universe and this was just the begining. Not oly that, but it is one of the most popular kaiju movies, even among non kaiju fans.
Rating:A-
King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963) (American version)
What a differance. While the original version at least had some (not much) seriousnes in it, this version drains it all out. Not that that's bad, of course. The real bad thing is that they deleted the incredible music and replaced it with Creature from the Black Lagoon music. While still exelent, it just doesn't fit Godzilla (King Kong of coure is a differant story). However, while many dubbed movies just threw in some non senseical lines, King Kong vs. Godzilla does it rather respectfully. The American plot is rather interesting, as it explanes some of Godzilla's background. For example, it explains that Godzilla is actully just a dinosaur that is trying to figure out why the heck all of his little reptilian friends went (sort of), leaving some sympathy for him. Unforutunately, it replaces some of the Japanese plot, leaving a few holes.
While it's obviouly not as good as it's Japanese masterpiece, King Kong vs. Godzilla is one of the most enjoyable kaiju movies of all time.
Rating: B+
Atragon (1963)
Atragon is unique in terms of kaiju films, which is both good and bad. For one, the plot is incredibly original and comes together very well. I mean, it's not that every kaiju movie back then had a flying, drilling, freezing, (and of course, swiming) super submerine, right? Also, I think the character develpment is very well done and each character has a great deal of personality, which is always good.I found the specail effects in this film to be one of the best of all the 1960s sci fi movies. The Atragon model is very convincing, and Eiji Tuberaya's work is once again top notch. Manda was animated very well, and the puppet is very cool looking (even if the strings are sometimes visible). I also love how you actaully think the movie was filmed in an underwater set, which adds to the overall realism.
There are some things about the film that not only I was dissapointed in, but many other fans. The first thing is the lack of kaiju action. Manda should have gotten more screen time, at least a shot of him coming out of the water and destroying a few buildings durring the Mu invasion scene. Another thing is that the film can get somewhat borring, although this is fixed durring the second half of the film.
Overall, Honda delivers yet another classic which still continues to be entertaining.
Rating: B-
last updated 4-18-08
No comments:
Post a Comment