Godzilla [Blu-ray] [US Import]

Ever since the 1950s the Japanese movie industry has produced a boatload of terrible, low-budget Godzilla (or Gojira) movies. They are characterized by men in rubber suits stomping around, and production values and acting so poor that only people who have a humorous attitude to this material can possibly love it. But I guess that is frequently how cult phenomena work: they acquire substance purely on the strength of having a cult following across many decades, and people come together in enthusiastic fandom to appreciate these "classics"; to participate in the vibrant culture that forms around them. It's the same with Doctor Who or Star Trek or James Bond.I have met many people who declared themselves big fans of Godzilla/Gojira, who love the Japanese movies and vehemently hates the American 1998 movie by Roland Emmerich. I guess there is a kind of symmetry in the fact that it is the other way around with me. I cannot endure much of the Japanese versions, but love the American version (which is currently rated a rather misleading 4.8 out of 10 at IMDb).Why do people hate this movie? I doubt it is no other but the main: it does not give them what they expect from a movie calling itself a Godzilla movie. Cult audiences generally want what they expect, and nothing else will satisfy them. Whether it's a good movie on its own, irrespective of its prior namesakes, is apparently not even worthy of being considered. What a crime.Why do I love this movie? Mainly, it's the (human) characters. I am a big fan of Matthew Broderick. Who cannot love Ferris Bueller? It's true Broderick has gotten a bit chubby in recent years, and he has been a bit dull in some of his later movies, but he's still ace here! He plays a really nice guy, and Maria Pitillo plays a really nice girl. Their performances and character histories ring so true to life that I can't help loving these characters - they're so adorable, and so right for each other. In combination with the highly engaging underdog/"nice guys finish last" theme, they totally make the movie for me. I wanna hug them!In addition to the mains, we also have Jean Reno as a sympathetic (!) French intelligence agent, and Hank Azaria, one of America's greatest showbiz talents, who's great as whomever in whatever.Then there's the monster. I think it's perfectly fine. It serves its purpose in the story admirably, and there's even a touch of pathos in its demise. I find nothing to criticize about the action structure of the movie; it proceeds by the numbers and culminates in an appropriate climax. Great. Godzilla is quite simply Roland Emmerich's best movie. Which is perhaps not saying a lot, but still.Godzilla is a character-driven movie, not a monster-driven one, and I think this is the best choice. Like in the first Transformers movie (2007), the human characters were the more interesting ones. Because it is pretty damn difficult to make some monster or alien robot more interesting than a well-rounded human being.Great movie!

Poor Godzilla from the time she is found until the end of the movie she is picked on by us humans, Now she is angry bent on revenge spent on hell. To reach where she's going the water is the best way to trave as on land it's to easy to find her. Very active with a lot of ideas that have you suspended from the chair not moving a muscle. Yes action is thick and fast the suspense is full on so gather the popcorn before you settle in for the night. Godzilla wants a home for her babies and this place looks ideal. Now these nasty little people are going to get what for, so running around making a big bill for damages getting everyone tied in a knot sounds just right. Jam packed thrills and spills from beginning to end that will have you riveted to your seat. There's still more but you will have to watch it. Storyline great, actors done a fantastic job keeping everything under control well sort off, and entertainment at its best, what more do you want. I rated this movie an A grade plus as Godzilla did her role very convincingly and a first class movie that needs to be watched, Have the popcorn ready and chair near by to relax with your feet up, better still forget about relaxing as this show will keep you on your toes. Enjoy!

Remember taking my youngest and the Mrs to see this when it was doing the rounds -The film tells of how after a French nuclear test in the South Pacific an Iguana nest is exposed to the fallout.Sometime later a Japanese fishing vessel is attacked by a mysterious and very large creature, the one survivor of the vessel will later call the creature Godzilla.When the attack is reported and giant prints are found Dr. Niko "Nick" Tatopoulos (Mathew Brodrick), an NRC scientist, is approached whilst investigating worms at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is asked by U.S officials to investigate the incident.Nick dismisses talk of a survivor from the Jurassic era but says samples he finds was of an unknown origin.Soon after, the creature surfaces in New York and though showing little interest in humans causes death, destruction and chaos on a large scale, but what is it looking for?With the military, police and officials in disarray, only the logic of Nick joined by his ex-girlfriend would-be reporter Audrey (Maria Pitillo) her colleague Victor (Hank Azaria) and French secret-service agent Philippe Roaché (Jean Reno) set about saving the city from the giant creature.However, they'll find a nest with hundreds of ready to hatch eggs, stopping disaster begins to look more unlikely.Who'll prevail?I did enjoy watching the film again in truth though I have to say some of the acting left much to be desired especially in my opinion that of the lead character.The special effects were with the ongoing destruction of New York were pretty good for the time (1998)However, the continuity of the 4k upgrade wasn't in my view consistent, sometimes impressive, often not. ....4k upgrade rating 7/10

so decided to buy it on bluray well worth the money shame the sequel film will never be made but never fear if you want to find out what happened after they blew up madison Square gardens and a baby godzilla survived then watch godzilla the animated series from the beginning

The 2009 Matthew Broderick version of Godzilla is a more gentle one but has a fair amount of violence so might not be suitable for the younger children.Great SFX make this film amazing but the actors and the story really make it one of my favourites of the Godzilla remakes.Godzilla in this film is a product of nuclear bomb tests. Now large and mature enough Godzilla goes to feed and then looks for a nesting site. Unfortunately he chooses Manhattan.There are some great fun moments and a fair amount of action in the film.

As always, shown with slipcover shows up without it. The transfer is great tho, very good quality.