Godzilla 2000

December 10, 2004

Rated: PG Runtime: 99 min Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This movie is all about expectations. If you’ve seen the previews you know not to expect a special effects extravaganza. In short this is merely an updated, and I use the term loosely, version of previous Japanese Godzilla films of years ago. Most children should enjoy this movie. Yesterday’s children, like myself, who loved the movies as a kid will probably enjoy this movie too.

Godzilla 2000

Again, it’s about expectations. My biggest disappointment was the music. Seeing the previews with Rob Zombie’s “Superbeast” blaring got my hopes up to fever pitch level. But alas, nothing of the sort is in the soundtrack. As for other elements the blue screening is at times obvious. The acting is laughable, partly due to the English dubbing. And the storyline is no more complicated than what we were treated to in previous Godzilla movies, with the exception possibly being 1998’s dreadful Godzilla movie starring Matthew Broderick.

I was a bit disappointed in Godzilla 2000, but I still enjoyed the movie. Seeing this one in a crowded theater would almost certainly enhance the experience. The difference between how I felt about this movie and 1998’s Hollywood version is that the Hollywood version totally sucked in my opinion. Not only did that movie disappoint me, I can honestly say I did not get one bit of enjoyment out of the movie. It was almost painful to watch. I knew Godzilla growing up. Godzilla was a friend of mine. 1998’s version was no Godzilla.

Godzilla 2000, on the other hand, is the way Godzilla is meant to be. It proves that you don’t always need super special effects to make a good movie, the way Godzilla 1998 proved super special effects can’t always save a bad movie. Maybe 1998’s version was popular to fans who didn’t grow up on the classic Japanese Godzilla. But if you did grow up with the Godzilla that fought Mothra, MechaGodzilla, and other monsters, seeing this latest version proves there is only one true Godzilla. And if he happens to be some guy in a big latex suit so be it.

Some advice for Hollywood: if you’re thinking about making updated versions of The Space Giants, Ultraman, or Inframan, just let the Japanese do them. They may skimp on the special effects, but I bet the true character of the heroes will remain the same.

Posted by Steve Payne | Filed Under 3 Stars, Action, Hiroshi Abe, Naomi Nishida, PG, Shiro Sano (not exactly American househo, Takehiro Murata, Theatrical