{"id":30061,"date":"2023-04-28T18:48:13","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T22:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/?p=30061"},"modified":"2023-05-09T17:06:16","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T21:06:16","slug":"reviewing-godzilla-films","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ianchadwick.com\/blog\/reviewing-godzilla-films\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviewing Godzilla Films"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Criterion<\/a>T<\/span>o pass the time doing two things I enjoy \u2014 writing and watching Godzilla<\/em> films (and, yes… reading books about Godzilla films…) \u2014 I thought I would watch each Godzilla film in order, one per week, starting with the 1954 original, and write a synopsis\/review of each one, trying to look at each one from my current perspective and knowledge (no comments about being in my dotage, please).<\/p>\n

I’m also preparing myself by renewing my knowledge of the franchise in preparation for the 70th-anniversary celebrations coming next year, as well as possibly two new Godzilla films coming out this year (see footnote here<\/a>). Who wouldn’t want to celebrate a successful run of 70 years, after all?*<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I will use my small library of books on Godzilla and Japanese kaiju (monster) films for resources and reference as I write (see list, below). I will also check online resources for some details, but my intention is not to be a comprehensive source of information about actors, directing, technique, historical reference, or cinematography, but rather to make personal comments on each film, and explain, where relevant, what this film meant to me, why it matters (or doesn’t) in the Godzilla pantheon. Or what it looked like and felt when I watched it recently. And I will include, where possible, comments on, or reviews of, the American versions of the Japenese releases.<\/p>\n

\"Gojira,I’ll also highlight some events and scenes in the films, and make notes as I watch. I’ll use the time signature from the version(s) I am watching (which I will list). The first 15 films (1954-75) will be from the Criterion Blu-Ray collection of the Showa-Era films<\/a> (1954-75); the rest will be from individual DVD and Blu-Ray discs I own, right until the most recent Godzilla vs Kong<\/em>. The only film I do not own in its original, commercial release (DVD or Blu-Ray) is Godzilla vs Biollante<\/em>, although I have watched it. I have a low-quality copy purchased on eBay (disingenuously sold as an original). But I’m still looking for a proper copy to own. (Showa, Heisei, and Millennium are the three film eras… see here<\/a> and here<\/a> if you want to learn more).<\/p>\n

Godzilla was but one kaiju in the scary monster pantheon when I was growing up. The Mummy, Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, the Creature From the Black Lagoon and others were all part of it, most of them made by me in Aurora model kits. I bought the comics and magazines<\/a>, I watched the films (and in later years, I collected them on VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray). And when I was older, I read the books.<\/p>\n

Godzilla has a bigger fan base these days than in the past, in large part thanks to the Universal revival (starting in 2014, with new films coming out soon), and in large part thanks to social media where aficionados can share their passion.<\/p>\n

\"Godzilla<\/a>But despite being a cultural icon all these years, some folks still dismiss the films as cheesy, childish, or camp. But so what? The Batman and Robin<\/em> TV series still enjoys many viewers because it’s the very definition of camp. The bouncing ball sentinel of The Prisoner<\/em> TV series was about as cheesy a special effect as you can get, yet the series is still well-respected. Childish? Harry Potter<\/em> books and films had a huge adult audience, despite their intended targets of young adults. So do the Ice Age<\/em> and Shrek<\/em> franchises, and many Pixar\/Disney films. Culture is about entertainment and enjoyment as much as anything else.<\/p>\n

And then there’s that whole “cultural appropriation” thing… can (should?) an old white guy from Canada write effectively and convincingly about a Japanese cultural icon? Or has G become international, especially thanks to the American involvement in the films? Or does worldwide fandom change things by sharing the culture? Maybe that’s a musing for a future post. But as a HuffPost article<\/a> from 2014 once noted:<\/p>\n

Godzilla is a multicultural icon. If there was a Coca-Cola commercial featuring monsters that sung the national anthem, he’d be singing his part in a mixture of English and Japanese. He’s been terrorizing Tokyo for longer than Disneyland has been around. Over the span of 60 years, he’s battled Earthlings, space monsters and robots, spawned offspring and chased Matthew Broderick, all while belting out the most iconic roar in film history.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So maybe I won’t be castigated for treading in another nation’s culture.<\/p>\n

\"GodzillaBecause of various commitments to appointments, board meetings, work, volunteering, dog-walking, other writing, housework, reading, shopping, gardening, cooking, baking bread, and probably some computer gaming, I may not be able to meet my intended weekly schedule every week, but I will try to follow up the following one. I hope. Life has that funny way of interfering with plans. And I’m always eager to write about our council’s and mayor’s failures and fumbles, which can occupy my attention for a while.<\/p>\n

I may not revisit all of the films previously reviewed (see below for list) but if I re-watch them, I may do so. After all, one’s perspective can change.<\/p>\n

I won’t, however, be reviewing the animated trilogy that was (or perhaps still is) shown on Netflix. I tried to watch the first one, but I am not a fan of the anime style, so I only got about 30 minutes in. We cancelled our Netflix subscription before I could get back to it and, frankly, I have no real interest in Godzilla cartoons (so no comments on the TV cartoon series, either), although I like other forms of animation (Loony Tunes, for example). See my earlier post<\/a> for some more about Godzilla movies and sizes.**<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

These reviews will be just my opinions and observations, nothing deep or revelatory. Just something to pass the time and keep my writing skills sharp. And have fun, of course. How can you not<\/em> have fun watching and writing about Godzilla? So please come back and look for the posts, the first review coming soon (and I may do more film reviews outside the canon, too…).**<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Print resources (more details about these titles are in this post<\/a>) I have (and other recommendations are always welcome):<\/p>\n