[Sculpt]

Best and Worst of the Original Showa Godzilla Series:

(A member mentioned they were thinking about adding some Godzilla films to their collection. So I thought it'd be fun to post the best and worst for those who haven't seen them all. Post you best and worst as well.)

Best Showa Godzilla Films: (in rough order)

1. Mothra vs. Godzilla (Godzilla Vs the Thing) 1964 -- (interesting story, good pacing, pleasant sense of humor, for adults and kids)
2. Godzilla vs. Hedora (Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster) 1971 -- (psychedelic film, fascinating/unusual/beautiful art and visuals, jazz/psychedelic/classical music finely integrated with speaking/visuals, interesting story, good pacing, sometimes scary, almost more for adults, but ok for kids over 9 maybe)
3. Godzilla vs. MonsterZero 1965 -- (Staring American actor Nick Adams, very cool sci-fi film, interesting story, good pacing, pleasant sense of humor, for adults and kids)
4. Godzilla, King of the Monsters (US) 1956 -- (Staring US actor Raymond Burr, interesting story, good pacing, Burr does great job, fascinating visuals, special effects and music; not as gloomy and slow as Gojira, but loses some of the visceral & heavy duty effect of suffering with victims that Gijora54 has, for adults and kids)
5. Godzilla/Gijora (Japanese, Eng subtitles) 1954 -- (interesting story, excellent and creative visuals, effects and music; film heavy, gloomy & visceral, can be chilling, sometimes slow pacing, have you're own energy to watch it, generally not for kids.)
6. Ghidora the Three Headedmonster 1964 -- (amazing special effects and music, pretty good sci-fi, in spots some rather slow pacing, for adults and kids)
7. KingKong vs. Godzilla 1962 (US version 1963) -- (fun film, pretty good pacing, more for kids, ok for adults; US version has added parts, pretty much the same)
8. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (Cosmic Monster) 1974 -- (interesting & bizarre sci-fi, good visuals; mediocre pacing, dialogue & acting; tipping towards kids but still dark, ok for sci-fi cultural curious adults)
9. Destroy All Monsters 1968 -- (Excellent Sci-fi film, beautiful sets, effects, interesting story, good pacing, for adults and kids)

Worst Showa Godzilla Films: (best to worst)

1. Godzilla vs. Megalon 1973 -- (very campy & kiddie, but very creative monsters & some cool effects, story & pacing are decent)
2. Son of Godzilla 1967 -- (kiddie & campy, but interesting sci-fi story, some very good special effects)
3. Godzilla vs. Gigan 1972 -- (some amazingly fine visuals!, cool creature design, but story & pacing are poor)
4. Terror of MechaGodzilla 1975 -- (fairly campy, mostly features new monster Titanosaurus, very little MechaG, weak story, directing, acting, visuals, fighting; pacing fair. I read many liked this film... I don't get why.)
5. Godzilla Raids Again 1955 -- (2nd Godzilla film, 1st Godzilla fighting another monster; quick release to ride on success of Gojira 1954; so poorly received no Godzilla film would be made until 1962 King Kong Vs Godzilla.)
6. Godzilla vs. Eibra (the sea monster) 1966 -- (silly, rigid, hard to get into)
7. Godzilla's Revenge 1969 -- (completely for kids, very campy, about a boy dealing with bullies, has symbolic reference with Godzilla)