[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by _____V_____

Next up...

Hey V? Which movie to you mean? You mean 1954 Gojira/Godzilla, or the '1956' Godzilla, King of the Monsters with raymond burr? In some ways, they are the same, and many diehards would insist they are very different.

You probably mean Gojira, but I'll write about both.


1 - Do you remember when you first watched it? Theater, VHS or DVD?

Even though I was a gigantic Godzilla fan, I saw 90% of the pre-1984 Godzilla movies as a kid, except for Gojira (which was not available) and Godzilla, King of the Monsters, which very rarely was shown on TV. I had to miss it every time it was on TV.

I finally saw Godzilla, King of the Monsters on VHS around 2000. And finally was able to see Gojira around 2008 on DVD I rented from Blockbuster Mail.

2 - Did you get any feedback (from friends or media) prior to watching it?

I had heard from general media that Gojira was anti-nuclear bomb themed, or even that Gojira symbolized the United States (1954). I got the sense it was more serious than the other Godzilla movies (LOL).

3 - How was your first viewing experience?

Godzilla, King of the Monsters -- I was impressed with the story, the over all look and visual techniques (suited man & minitures, puppet Godzilla head), and the Godzilla roar was different -- it has a 'drag smear dip' pitch bend in it that make it sound very twisted, sick and evilly insane. (Did you all notice the different roar?). I rather enjoyed it.

Gojira -- Gojira was much more difficult to watch. It's dark mood, slow pace and duration (especially where Gojira moves through the city) made me feel dread, misery, distress, helplessness and depression. I imagine that's a taste of what the Nipponese felt during the US fire bombings of their cities (67 Japanese cities, 500,000 Japanese deaths and 5 million more made homeless). By the end of the movie, I was wiped out. It wasn't pleasant at all.

4 - How many times have you re-watched it since?

Godzilla, King of the Monsters I've seen twice. Gojira once.

5 - Any special memories associated with it, that you wish to share?

I have a vague fond memory of seeing the last half of Godzilla with my mom, who stayed with because of Raymond Burr. I saw both movies alone. The American distributor who decided to change Gojira with the Raymond Burr addition did an excellent job with it, and successfully made it an enjoyable movie. Many would say they butchered Gojira and should burn eternally in an atombomb hell. I say they are two different movies, both good and classic.