Despite bringing back director Ishirô Honda and toning down the child-friendly antics that were plaguing the series, 1975's "Terror of Mechagodzilla" was a financial failure and the big guy was put on waivers for a decade. His triumphant return in 1984, his 16th outing, was a big-budget, one-monster show that was very much a return to the roots of the series (literally, as all of the intervening sequels were ignored as well as was the obvious death of the monster at the end of the original). As in the '54 version, the story opens with an attack on a ship, from which there is a single survivor, who claims to have seen a giant monster. People are generally disbelieving (which seems odd, as only 30 years have passed since Tokyo was first flattened by a giant monster), but come around when Godzilla wades ashore and destroys a nuclear power plant. Although nods are made to environmental concerns, the background issue in this film is the cold-war, as the Soviets and the Americans push to be allowed to use nuclear weapons against the monster. The Japanese prime minster is all quiet dignity, reason and principles while the Americans and the Russians blustering war-heads, which led to accusations of anti-Americanism in the Reagan-era U.S.A. (at one point in the discussion about using nuclear weapons near Tokyo, the American representative says "This is not time to be talking about principles", a line apparently changed in the American version of the film). Most of the special efforts are very good, with Godzilla back destroying cities rather than thrashing around on some inexpensive deserted island set, and although he's increased in height to 50 meters, he himself is dwarfed by Tokyo's towering (but apparently fragile) skyscrapers. Some of the back projection sequences are weak and the diminished scale of the city models limits the details that enhanced the realism of the sets in earlier films, but overall the film looks good. The Godzilla suit is excellent, very saurian and predatory looking, with internal mechanisms that allow for more facial expression than earlier versions and, in addition to the usual tanks and missiles, the JDF deploys laser cannon (nicely done) and the first of a series of improbable looking flying fortresses, the X1 - all of which is effective and exciting. The film's score, although not as good as Akira Ifukube's iconic original, is quite good, especially the ominous opening music. I watched a subtitled Japanese version of the film and parts of an English-dubbed version (but not the American release, which I've read has a number of alterations). The dubbing in the version I saw was not very good, with poor syncing and sometimes silly sounding voices (esp. the Russian ambassadors 'accent'). Remakes of classics are rarely classics themselves (1959's "Ben Hur" notwithstanding), and this incarnation of Godzilla is not as good as the 1954 original, but it is a watchable and entertaining film in its own right, both for fans and for the uninitiated.
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jamesrupert20148 January 2018
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vkn11 March 2001-Note; this is based on an English dub of a non-edited, non-Americanised version of this movie. Ergo, without the Raymond Burr scenes and the hefty changes made (why do those yanks always insist on messing with Japanese originals?). The box called it "the Return of Godzilla"-
As a kaiju film on it's own, it's nice enough. As a big 80's-90's return to the screen for Goji, it's dreadfully underwhelming.
There are quite some good things in here; the film does a good job of establishing a more dark and menacing atmosphere. Godzilla is a proper monster in this movie in that he should be feared, and with no other big monster to battle against him around, he's suddenly lots more tricky to get rid of.
Alas, he's also a little dull on his own in this film. There's a long and slow build-up before the destruction actually begins. But when Goji does finally reach Tokyo, the city-stomping that ensues in much more sedate and uneventful than what the viewer's been hoping for, and doesn't manage to really satisfy one. Instead, Goji spends a lot of time just standing around, and leaving lots of large buildings simply untouched (while you very badly -want- to see him smash them up). Once he's killed off in a rather daft way, you're left with a pretty empty "was that everything?" feeling.
Furthemore, the Godzilla suit doesn't look all that slick and modern. In facial close-up shots, his eyes look painfully plastic-like, for instance. The numerous scenes of people excitedly running about, trying to avert or escape from more catastrophes do add suspense (there's the whole atomic missile subplot as well), but we were hoping for a good new Goji flick, not a cold war drama story.
Although disappointing on the whole, as a curiosity, it's worth a go for kaiju fans, and shows an interesting darker, more menacing side of Godzilla that rarely surfaces outside of the original 1950's film (and perhaps Godzilla vs Destroyah). One really has to feel sorry for the over-stressed prime minister in this movie. The man deserves a good vacation in Okinawa after all that ^^. Despite it's shortcomings, kaiju die-hards can still enjoy this more or less (others needn't bother, there are better giant monster flicks for them out there). And of course, even this rather low-level Goji entry can still wipe the floor with that pathetic Tri-Star Godzilla travesty any day. Granted, that's not saying very much, but oh well... If you must see this, try to go for a non-edited version, as I'm told the US release had some very hefty changes that strongly marr the film. -
dee.reid25 July 2005I may be one of few, if only, people to say I actually liked "Godzilla 1985," the first in the second generation of kaiju-eiga films that began after a 10-year hiatus, since the last Toho-backed "Godzilla" effort "Terror of Mechagodzilla" (1975), which concluded the first generation of movies.
Godzilla is the most popular movie monster from the East and I've been watching these films since I was five. Of course, in "Godzilla 1985" (which is 1984 in Japan time), Godzilla returns to his old stomping grounds of Tokyo. He first attacks a fishing boat and kills everyone on-board except one, then a Soviet submarine, a nuclear reactor (which is where we see the glorious Big Guy for the first time), and finally has his eyes set on Tokyo. What hinders this film big time, especially in the American version, are the ugly Cold War-era politics that played into many of the film's changes in order to accommodate polarized audiences in the United States. Russians are portrayed as being inherently evil and the Japanese are shown as being weak and totally dependent on America. But by making America the hero in this picture, Americans are shown as being quite pigheaded and arrogant and stupid, with the exception of Raymond Burr, who also appeared in the American version of the original "Godzilla" (1954). (So it looks like the American producers really screwed themselves big time with this transition.) This seriously makes the movie dated and draws attention away from the stronger, more relevant issues the original Japanese screenwriters had envisioned. On the plus side, Toho created a rather terrifying and truly menacing Godzilla, whose presence is made all the more frightening by those blood-red eyes and thunderous roar of his. This Godzilla is the embodiment of true screen menace, in a return-to-form from the previous incarnation in the '70s. Even though he is the villain in this picture, one could shed a tear at the film's ending (which you wouldn't need to do if you care to watch the superior 1989 sequel "Godzilla vs. Biollante"). The special effects are magnificent, though dated; one of my particular favorite sequences is Godzilla's showdown with the Super X attack fighter and his attack on the nuclear reactor.
I'd recommend this entry only if you're a die-hard kaiju-eiga fan; if not, you should probably skip this one and go straight to "Godzilla vs. Biollante," which is my personal favorite "Godzilla" film from the second generation. But it's a shame that "Godzilla 1985" was ruined by American intrusion in its transfer from Japan to the U.S.
5/10 -
dr_foreman7 March 2004Godzilla returns in a (somewhat) serious vehicle with a (somewhat) big budget. Americans yawned or laughed this off the screen, for the most part, but if you dig Godzilla you should dig this, his most respectable film since the 1954 original.
Yes, it's not that fast paced. No, Godzilla doesn't fight with other creatures. So what? After about twenty lurid, cheap movies that involved Godzilla in mortal combat with rubberized foes, it was nice to see him get back to menacing basics here.
While the special effects are not quite up to the Hollywood standard, they're still entertaining and reasonably convincing. American critics who slammed the film's look were being just a tad intolerant - all foreign films tend to be cheaper than ours, so inferior effects are a given. My bottom line for judging SFX is not, "are they realistic?" but "are they fun?", and the shots of Godzilla laying waste to Tokyo are indeed fun.
Godzilla fans often complain about the film's overtly political concerns and somber mood, but I have to disagree with them; I like a bit of realism, a bit of credibility. I do think that there are several better, faster-paced Godzilla films (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, GMK), but this is still a standout entry in the series.
Who knows when we'll get another solo vehicle for the big G? The upcoming Godzilla: Final Wars will apparently feature a total of ten monsters. At least in this movie, Godzilla had the spotlight all to himself. -
view_and_review19 January 2020Cinematically and visual effects-wise "Godzilla 1985" can't compare to "Godzilla" 2014, but I don't care. "Godzilla 1985" is the Godzilla that I grew up with and I'm not even watching Godzilla in 2014 without 1985.
It's clear that the Japanese don't truly hate Godzilla though they fear him. They see him as a natural phenomenon that isn't inherently evil even if he does destroy Tokyo every chance he gets. So you sense this love/hate relationship between them.
As for me, I love Godzilla. As the late Stuart Scott used to say, "He's cooler than the other side of the pillow." A 240 foot tall energy ray blasting dinosaur--you don't see one of those everyday. And how did they create his patented bellow? It is thoroughly unique to the point I've never heard anything similar in nature or otherwise. It is one of a kind and when you hear it, you know who's lurking. -
Captain_Couth21 February 2005Godzilla 1985 (1984) was the rebirth of the classic Japanese movie monster Godzilla (a.k.a. Gojira). The mean monster is back to wreck havoc upon the Earth. Toho Studios decided to bring back the bad guy version after years of making monster hero movies. This time the big guy is flying solo as it returns to the old stomping grounds destroying the human race. In scenes that seemed spliced in more American audiences, Raymond Burr is back advising the U.S. Military about how strong and powerful Godzilla really is. But he's not needed as the big beast is sent back to is watery grave when a high powered nuclear weapon is used about the big guy. But don't worry folks he'll be back bigger and better than ever!
What a treat it was to see a Godzilla movie on the big screen. I was ten going on eleven when I watched this movie with my younger brother. Too bad Godzilla had to go out like a chump. He was the only reason I wanted to see the movie. He's one cool atomic fire breathing dude. I didn't like the horrible dubbed dialog and the scenes involving the U.S. Miitary (filmed on some extremely cheap looking sets). This was the old school Godzilla, scale models, toy cars, the works! Not as great as the earlier monster mêlées.
Recommended for Godzilla fans. -
vtcavuoto15 September 2006After a 10 year hiatus, Toho Studios decided to film another Godzilla film. This was in part due to re-releases of all the previous Godzilla films that ran in Japanese movie theaters. The blending of the miniatures and Godzilla is much better and more life-like than the first series of films. Raymnond Burr is back in his role as Steve Martin(not the comedian!). However, his portrayal is nowhere near as good as in the original. I think his being cast was due in large part to help sell tickets. He just doesn't seem like he wanted to be in the film. I would have liked to have seen his enthusiasm and passion he brought to the role in the original. The direction, music and acting is about what you would find in other Godzilla films. The dubbing is OK in some spots, not so good in others. The best part of the film are the special effects. They are an improvement. Yeah, it's still a lot of stuff exploding all over the place but it's still pretty cool! Not the best of Godzilla films and not the worst. If you're a Godzilla fan like me, check it out.
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This attempt to update(and revive) the franchise was originally called "The Return Of Godzilla", but was dubbed and re-edited for its North American release, which serves as a sequel only to "Godzilla, King Of The Monsters"(and loose remake of original first sequel "Godzilla Raids Again"), with Raymond Burr reprising his role as journalist Steve Martin, more of an onlooker than participant this time, as he is given little to do. Our favorite big green reptile (a second one) stomps Tokyo again, though this version does have an international feel, even if some of the dubbed dialogue is dreadful. Not as bad as its reputation (contemporary reviews were harsh) though not quite inspired enough to succeed, even if it does have some impact.
Unlike the Japanese version, which is now available on Blu-ray, this is still strangely unavailable on region 1 DVD or Blu-ray, though can be found on VHS. Started a second series of sequels with "Godzilla Vs. Biollante". -
Skaiton15 February 2004Godzilla 1984 stands out as one of the best and most politically imbued Godzilla films ever made and deserves more credit for what it accomplished. Godzilla
1984 single-handedly revitalized the Godzilla franchise into the machine it is today and ushered in a new concept for what the monster could be; gone are
the kiddie children and the super-robots, the monster melees and monster
dancing - here is a return to what Godzilla truly is: and unstoppable force of nature. The original Japanese version is far superior to the butchered American cut and their political agenda is far more subtle than the American's tactless editing of the Russian nuclear launch sequence. Fans would do well to view
the original as it retains the history and dignity of the first Godzilla film. -
robfather_8712 August 2013Synopsis: This movie like the title says Godzilla returns. This time they bring in American and Russian military to the scene. A Russian submarine gets attacked and they blame the Americans for the happening. When they figure out that this is Godzilla returning back they want to use atomic warfare on it. But like the original Godzilla movie from 1954 the Japanese still have not forgotten the Hiroshima bombing and refuse to let the Russians and Americans use atomic bombs on Godzilla. They want to find another way to stop him.
Actors: These actors are not the best I have seen but did a fairly good job in this movie. Ken Tanaka have not been playing in any big things that I think people outside of Asia would know of. Yasuko Sawaguchi have acted in a bit more known works, like Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), she have also been in another Toho Company monster movie called Orochi the Eight-Headed Dragon (1994). Yosuke Natsuki on the other hand may be the one who have played in most notable movies of these actors. The most well known movie he have starred in may be the Akira Kurosawa movie Yojimbo (1961), He have also been in other monster movies like Beauty and the Liquid Man (1958), Dagora the Space Monster (1964), Gihdorah the Three-Headed Monster (1964). Keiju Kobayashi have also been starring in a lot of movies but most of them not very well known outside of Asia. Maybe most known for his role in Kurosawa movie Sanjuro (1962). I actually think he did the best performance of the actors in this movie as the prime minister.
Cinematography: The sets here are all good like you expect from the Toho Studios when creating monster movies. The charming fact of the movies they make is what I mean is good cinema when you keep away from CGI at most. Like rockets from military wagons and planes they have created it themselves and it does not look very real but it looks cool. When you see they fire on Godzilla it is very cool scenes. The only CGI in most Godzilla movies are the radioactive breath that comes out of the mouth of Godzilla. I don't know if we should call it CGI actually but it is the closest to it you get in these movies. They create miniature versions of the cities and then the monster can go rampage there and it looks cool. And take note of what I say, it is not very good looking like wow but it looks cool and charming effect. Outside of all these bad CGI effects we get from Hollywood movies. One cool thing to take in mind before seeing this movie is a scene where a helicopter gets blasted down you see a billboard in the background of the Ghostbusters logo.
Music/Sound: The music is nothing very special in this one but the sound in Godzilla movies is always a treat. The roar of Godzilla is the best monster sound ever. The only thing that comes near may be the sound of the T-Rex in Jurassic Park, and that sound was inspired by the sound of the original Godzilla movie.
Costume/Make-up: In costumes I guess the only thing that can be mentioned is always the costume of Godzilla. It is a man inside that monster and that is what I love so much about the monsters in Asian monster movies. Not a computer generated monster but as close to the real thing that you can get and the costume is very good and detailed. The only other costumes to mention might be the ones that the military uses and well they are as they should be.
Summary: This is the first real sequel since the original Godzilla movie from Toho. And the first Godzilla movies since the original where he do not meet another monster to fight. The directors of this movie Koji Hashimoto and R.J. Kizer have not done much in main directing but many other movie related jobs. This movie is very good in the way that they wanted to take Godzilla to where he started if they succeeded or not is for each and everyone to decide. It may be a better watch for those loving the concept then the normal viewer. If you want the typical Hollywood way of movies stay away. If you like monster movies and foreign movies go for it. I liked it very much so this review may give you a bit of what to expect. Or point you in direction of other movies in the same genre. -
A-Fool-Named-James16 February 2018This movie is something I originally was going to give a 6, but as the last thirty minutes dragged on horribly, I found myself lowering it.
pretty much all the action scenes last like at most a minute, then cut to the humans talking forever, then more talking, then more talking.... the acting is rather good, a lot better than expected. At first I was really into it, I was genuinely interested in how the Japanese government deals with the knowledge that Godzilla is back as well as the drama of the Soviet Union and the United States wanting to kill Godzilla with nuclear weapons.
The action (when it did happen) was fun and entertaining, mostly. Too little happens, just small teams of the self-defence force occasionally hit Godzilla, he mostly ignores them and sometimes knocks a building over.
Not a good first Zilla filick. -
OllieSuave-0077 June 2003This Godzilla (Gojira) film holds a special place in my heart, for it is the first Godzilla movie I've watched. When I was a little kid, I was a dinosaur fanatic. My mom used to rent a dinosaur cartoon movie (made by some unknown studio) and I would watch it all the time. However, when that movie was unavailable for rental, my mom introduced Gojira to me. The film was titled "Godzilla 1985" and understandably, as I didn't understand subtitles back then, it was the US version of the Japanese 1984 film (the one with Raymond Burr in it). Though I heard the original Japanese version contains numerous scenes that were cut from the US version, the US version is still pleasant to watch. I would never have thought that this movie would lead me into years of collecting Godzilla and other Toho sci-fi movies, and even soundtrack CDs. The video version of this movie I rented included the short "Bambi Meets Godzilla" cartoon. Poor Bambi!
I think Shuichi Nagahara wrote a nice screenplay, depicting suspense, humor, power, and politics. Koji Hashimoto did a good job directing(keeping the plot intact), and Teruyoshi Nakano did great on the special effects (probably his best work). Reijiro Koroku provided a terrific music score, creating what I think is one of the best non-Ifukube scores.
Even though this movie features Godzilla only, it remains one of my all-time favorites. The scenes of Godzilla rising out of Tokyo bay, rendering the military helpless, and causing a path of destruction in Tokyo as citizens run for their lives are powerful. The scene where Godzilla derails a train with people still in it is still appalling for me to watch. I used to fast-forward the sea louse scene, for it scared the heck out of me. Now, the scene it pretty tamed to watch. The part where Godzilla falls inside the volcano was sad to watch, and aroused my sympathy in the monster. When the character Professor Hayashida said that "when mankind falls into conflict with nature, monsters are born," I think it is a really moral message (thinking back that it was nuclear bombs that brought Godzilla's wrath). And, the part where Burr said at the climax of the film that hints Godzilla is a natural force better explains Godzilla's purpose.
Overall, a great way to revive the Godzilla series after a 9-year hiatus, and a great introduction to the Godzilla "Heisei" series, which ran from 1984-1995. Also, it is a great introduction for me into the world of Godzilla.
Grade A -
ciarandino9 October 2012Unfortunately, I have yet to locate a copy of the original Japanese version, so I only have the bastardized dubbed version to review. Anyway,I'll get on with the review. I had mixed feelings about this film. There are elements of this film which I like, and others that I don't.
I'll start with the things I do like. For one thing, the soundtrack is brilliant, perhaps on a par with Ifukube's music. It is dark and foreboding, giving the movie a real ominous feeling. Next is the effects work. I'm a longtime fan of suitmation, which I feel is an unappreciated special effects style. Not to mention the intricate Tokyo set. I love miniatures, and the mini Tokyo in this film is a doozy. I really love the opening, and also the first time we see Godzilla, emerging from the mist, growling threateningly, and subsequently destroying the power plant. It's a truly brilliant moment, especially with that tense and creepy music playing.
Now for the things I don't enjoy. For one, when Godzilla finally does show up in Tokyo, it's a bit of an anticlimax. Big G doesn't really destroy much, he just walks around a bit. Don't get me wrong, the rampage isn't the only reason for watching the movie, but it is an integral part of many Godzilla movies (I say "many" because in some of the films there is very little city destruction, as they focus more on the combat of the monsters, which is fine for films with two or more monsters, because you don't need the city destruction as much when monsters are fighting), and the fact that Tokyo is left largely intact is disappointing to me. This one only applies to the bastardized version only, and of course, that is, the added scenes of American actors. Pointless, dull, bad acting and annoying. So that's my two scents on Godzilla 1985, or The Return of Godzilla, or just Godzilla. Whatever you want to call it. -
ericstevenson14 September 2017This was the start of a new series of Godzilla films but unfortunately it was the last Japanese Godzilla film released in the United States until "Godzilla 2000". How ironic. Another movie with the year in the title. That's why the other ones aren't in Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide. Speaking of Maltin, I think he was too hard on this film. Ebert too. Well, audiences seemed to like it more than critics even if most of us just think it's okay and I'm one of those people. This movie had good points, but was still mostly outweighed by the bad points.
This is mostly just standard Godzilla stuff with him attacking Japan and being defeated. That's really the main fault of the movie. It's supposed to be an update of the 1954 classic, but it does so few new things with the character. I watched the English version with the added scenes featuring Raymond Burr. These are easily the weakest parts of the movie, as it's easy to tell he was just shoehorned in. Honestly, the special effects aren't really that bad as some destruction does seem authentic. While by no means terrible, still a pretty weak entry. ** -
StormSworder9 April 2009In 1984, Godzilla returned with what is apparently a sequel to the original film, an attempt to forget all the other sequels of the 1950s, 60s and 70s and make Godzilla a villain again. This is a great-looking film, is dark and moody. I have to say that the original Japanese version is much better. The American version has been altered to make the Russians out to be villains who fire a missile on purpose. It's a monster movie! Why do we need Reagan-era political propaganda? Also there are intrusive scenes of Raymond Burr reprising his role as journalist Steve Martin, and some quite laughably blatant Dr Pepper advertising. If you can ignore them, it's a mainly entertaining monster movie.
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r-c-s26 December 2005i saw the Japanese version. that is a typically 80ish salad bowl movie where they crammed all the movie clichés from the 80s they could: a) the movie opens with some short "alien" spoof as crewmembers of a commercial cargo are murdered by some mysterious giant sea slug (or whatever ) following the resurrection of big G following a volcanic eruption. b) "star wars" spoof. Both USA & USSR offer to annihilate Godzilla using atomic weapons. The Japanese refuse & they seem to concede, but would we trust commies one inch? No way. They have an undercover missile launcher in orbit and a tracker ship right in the Tokyo bay. Worse comes to worse & the bad guys in red launch atomic warheads against Tokyo: only Americans can save the day launching a counter missile. c) G's eyes look like Terminator, although it still maintains the "teddy bear" looks of the 60's, although more rugged ( this movie is supposedly a direct sequel to the 1954 movie ). This is not your typical low budget monster movie: it's a decent mid-carder with decent SFX and another cameo for supa-X, some flying war machine soon to be replaced by mechas. There are a few character subplots as well... survivor from the slaughtered crew saved by reporter, who in turn falls in love with the survivor's sister; a scientist understanding how waves/noise by some birds can attract G's attention; cold war reunions, etc. Not bad but not a movie you'd watch twice.
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Quinoa19848 November 2016(review of Japanese 103 minute cut: Gojira, aka 'The Return of Godzilla) This was a mixed bag for me. There wasn't that much middle ground for me on this viewing - on the one hand, this has some of (not, not some of, simply) the best use of a Godzilla as far as a man in a suit, not to mention with the practical effects, the use of miniatures (for instance the special flying machine that they use to especially zap Godzilla as opposed to the usual nuclear bombs, but we'll get to that in a moment), and the sets. It's sophisticated for the time even if at certain moments it may seem dated. It is, but that didn't stop me being riveted during every moment Godzilla was on screen, whether it was stomping all over a nuclear facility or, of course, all over Tokyo, and this latter part takes up much of the 2nd half of the movie (or at least the last half hour or more). The money, however much they spent, is up there on the screen. Even the film stock works to make it terrifying at times.
On the other hand though, this is a return not just to Godzilla as a legitimate threat after something like 20 years as a "bad guy" (the last time he wasn't doing something 'heroic' in some way, whether it was battling other, worse monsters, or hanging out with his son or fighting aliens or whatever, was Mothra vs Godzilla), and the tone is meant to be going back to what was done at the start in Honda's Gojira and to an extent it's first sequel, Godzilla Raids Again. The problem here though is that the filmmakers focus on two story lines with the humans: one is relatively compelling and emotional, with a character who first discovers some men on a boat who have been killed by some unknown entity (and he also does battle with, uh, monster sea lice, yeah, it's weird), and then is questioned by scientists and officials about what he's seen and it's confirmed it is Godzilla, and then the guy's sister comes into the picture. But the other storyline involves the government itself and... dull is too nice a word.
I don't know how it will be for others in the audience - and again, this is the original Japanese version I'm talking about, I haven't seen the American re-edit, which features Raymond Burr to connect it to the original American re-edit of the 54 film, and was panned by a lot of critics including sci-fi geek Roger Ebert - but there's a stretch of this movie I checked out of. I understood what the prime minister was dealing with was meant to be dramatic, but the conflict here, which involves the Soviets and to an extent the US and using nuclear weapons (including a missile from outer space) is more dated than any Godzilla costume or tiny airplane or set of cars. At the time the threat of nuclear annihilation was in the air, but even then it was sort of in its last gasp of air, and seeing the prime minister have to mediate between Russians and Americans is acted so poorly and written so stiffly that it occurs to me even more how necessary the satire on bureaucracy in Shin Godzilla is (which, like this movie, features little title cards showing who certain people are, though the new one goes even more nuts for it).
I think if you watch this only for the Godzilla action, it is incredible. It's shot in a way that is intentionally menacing - low angle shots of Godzilla return, how long had it been by then! - and the suit looks really sharp for its time, and the explosions and lighting are a great homage to the style that Honda originated with Toho's special effects people in 1954. If only the rest of the ho-hum movie (and yes the actors playing the 'ordinary' non-military/government people are quite good, though stock), with its barebones story and War-Games style theatrics around nuclear launch codes and outdated synth score (yes, synth can be dated folks), it could be one of the greats in the series. -
Meven_Stoffat20 April 2014While I was never alive until the 1990s, I do get a kick out of the Godzilla movies of old. Sure, they look awful cheesy nowadays as they're either polystyrene monsters or a man in a rubber suit, but I'm able to empathize with the audiences of that age and realize that back then they were the real deal. Ultimately the most highly regarded among fans is the 1984 movie entitled "The Return of Godzilla" (though in Japan originally called Gojira, but later re titled to avoid confusion with the 1954 movie). The film is also set in Japan during the Cold War and attempts to return Godzilla back to his more horrific roots, as a reminder of why nuclear weapons are bad.
There's a lot to love about this movie but there's also just a tad too much to hate about it, which is why I find myself split down the middle on this one. It is no secret that the 1970s/1960s Godzilla movies were truly bad at times but were guilty pleasures- but to see this film try to make Godzilla a terrifying natural disaster again is very refreshing. With the dark atmosphere enhanced by its Cold War setting and obvious allusions to the tensions between the US and Russia, sadly what really squanders this film's potential is the horrible direction. The plot is simple and effective, but there's too much of a dissonance between the writers' script and engaging storyline (the government discovers that Godzilla is attracted to birds calling and sets up a sound signal to lure him to a volcano for him to fall into), and that's a problem. In fact, it's almost as if the director thought he was directing a different film
The attack scenes have tons of potential to be terrifying and sadly they're ruined by threadbare and lazy direction. When Godzilla takes his stroll through Tokyo, we don't get the impression that this event is terrifying mostly because while it's obvious that so much detail went into the suit and the miniature sets, the scene as a whole feels static. In fact, there's also an animatronic Godzilla used for setups and it's easy to tell which scenes use the animatronic Godzilla. Those scenes look oddly too mechanical. And while the finale will jerk some tears from the audience, it's really the only scene that has any impact. Which is a shame because the film could be terrifying. In fact, luckily the goal of making us scared of Godzilla was achieved five years later with Godzilla Vs. Biollante, which is a truly exceptional film. -
Yes, there are Godzilla movies that have better special effects. There are Godzilla movies that have better stories. There are Godzilla movies that are better directed.
But if you ask me which Godzilla movies are my favorites, I'll rank "Godzilla 1985" over just about all of them.
Why? It may be the mid-80's special effects, which while looking relatively modern still retain some "old school" charm. It may be the excellent Cold War-era politics (compared to today's chaos, the Cold War was practically comforting). It may be the excellent music by Reijiro Koroku, the only Godzilla composer to match Akira Ifukube.
I even enjoy the US dubbed version. While the Dr. Pepper ads and the supposed humor does wear on you, most of the actors do a pretty good job in their roles, though I wish it had been butchered less.
Give "Godzilla 1985" a chance. -
E102y10 April 2000The big G's back, but not in the best of movies. Let's just say it's the first movie after nine years, and people are not as quick as they were. Just like Gojira, then. Ha ha ha. I'll just move to the good points. One: the music. Two: The Super-X thing. Three: The End! Most of the movie is not very good. One: Gojira himself. From the side, he looks okay, but from the front, his eyes are plain dumb. Two: Lack of talent in the actors. Apart from the guy who plays Gojira (poor brave soul!). Three: special effects in general. The masers are okay, but it's just Gojira's atomic blast. It looks like it's been put on the reel with crayon. Thankfully, the series gets better.
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Picking up 30 odd years later and ignoring all the films that were made in between, Godzilla returns to trample Tokyo. The Tokyo natives think up all sorts of goofy plans to get rid of Godzilla, one which involves a highly advanced flying tank called Super-X, the other involving the use of birds to activate an often unused portion of Godzilla's brain that resembles a bird's to lead him out of Tokyo and into a volcano, where he remains until the sequel, "Godzilla VS Biollante".
The "1985" American version includes scenes of us damned Americans trying to figure out what do and features Raymond Burr reprising his Steve Martin character from the American version of the first film. However, his first name is never used on account of comedian Steve Martin's then hot popularity. This version also gives Russians a bad name because they made the Russian commander launch the missile before he died when in the original version he died heroically trying to stop the missile's launching but failed. The death of the tramp is also shown in the original version.
Maybe it's the lighting or lack there of, the smoke, or just the dated quality of my VHS tape, but this is a very dark and atmospheric monster on the rampage epic and one that I hold very close to my heart for reasons I can't quite explain. Special effects run the usual gamut from good to ridiculous, and the music is pretty good. Whether or not the original version will ever be released in America remains to be seen. I'd settle for just being able to see this one on DVD somewhere. -
Maxyger75618 February 2024I don't necessarily know if this is the same film as Return of Godzilla back in 1984 but I would write this as if these are the 2 same films
The tone is so vastly different from Showa era films because this film takes a far more serious approach and as someone who enjoys darker films, it works wonders because Godzilla is now shown as a threat and danger {even though he never did anything bad other than destroy some Soviet sub in the beginning} and far more intimidating. This film is very fast paced and it got to the main plot relatively quickly.
Even if I hated it a little bit, the english dub wasn't actually as bad as I thought it would be and the final message from the Americans about nature was actually pretty neat. I kind of think the volcano ending was kind of stupid but I guess it was the only way to take down our boy
But where is the music? Sure the main theme of the film actually is fantastic but just like a lot of early Toho-Godzilla films lacks a proper and a constant soundtrack which do makes a good chunk of the film feel empty, the plot wasn't the best but hey! This film is still better than any film Legendary has put out!
Rating: 7.2/10. -
kergillian26 April 2001This is the 'official' sequel to the original '56 Godzilla, with Raymond Burr revisiting his role as reporter Steve Martin. The effects are nearly identical to the original; the weaponry is a touch more advanced and the gunfire, etc looks more polished, but it's hard to tell the difference - i feels re-hashed. As the story does. Once again, this Godzilla film is simply an excuse to show a rampage through Japan; it lacks the *story* that the original few films had. There wasn't *much* of a story, but at least it was there.
Raymond Burr is cool, as always, but he's under-used. And his dialogue is over-preachy; it lacks the strength of the original.
The American and Russian military men are portrayed as power-hungry, violent rednecks. Okay, not *that* far from reality, but was *way* overdone.
All in all, this would be absolutely horrid if some of the others weren't so much worse. At the same time, at least most other Godzilla films had *really* cheezy monsters everywhere to take our minds off of how bad the films were;) This is just a second-rate Godzilla; nearly identical to the original in all ways save quality-wise. 4/10.