Godzilla Review
by Joe Lore (chastain AT ma DOT ultranet DOT com)May 26th, 1998
Just wanted to give my 2 cents on the new Godzilla film. I've been a Godzilla fan all my life and currently own every film from Godzilla (1954) to Godzilla Vs. Destroyah (yes that's the correct spelling).
This will be a spoiler for the new movie as well as the original films so be forewarned!!
I entered the theater with an open mind but with high hopes. All and all I was amazed, amused and disappointed.
I was amazed by the special effects. Godzilla's new look was very different and surprising but not all that bad. It is not truly Godzilla but an interesting likeness that was very lifelike. Off the top of my head I do not remember the special effects group who did Godzilla (please forgive me) but they did an OUTSTANDING job!!
I was amused both in the entertained sense and the sarcastic sense by the script. It was mediocre at best. Many "Jurassic Park"'ish references. The baby Godzilla's almost looked like the Raptors with bad skin. But again, very lifelike and well done effects.
The script dragged on a bit in the middle and finally picked up again. This tended to leave moments where we begin to realize how long the film is.
The disappointment is, The Killed Godzilla!!! As a LONG time fan I have seen many BAD scripts end fairly well. Yes a baby survived which ensures us of a sequel but, They Killed Godzilla!!!
I agree it mirrors the original film which leads off to virtually no sequel, and the sequel does a horrible job of leaving off...but THEY KILLED GODZILLA!!!
I will admit I am a sucker for the "The monster is only trying to procreate" theme and it got me. When Godzilla was lying there near death and we heard the heartbeat stop my eyes welled up uncontrollably...They Killed Godzilla..
Ok enough with the "They Killed Godzilla" My point is this. Toho has run a highly successful series of Godzilla films while keeping Godzilla alive and well to fight again. I think the ending could have been done better. Such as having Godzilla fall to the ground but crawl to the river and swim out to sea. Here the scientists could say "He has gone off to heal himself. He will be back" To which the General replies "I only hope we're ready for him" To which one of the others reply "Yes and we'll have bigger guns"
That's just a small example of what "could" have been done. It truly saddens me to see such a cult movie icon get downed that way and I think most other "die hard" Godzilla fans will agree.
So as we mourn the passing of the "new" "other" Godzilla we prepare for the new Toho release where the Original Godzilla will strike again.
Cheers
Joe Lore
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