Godzilla // Review
Why does Godzilla have two feet? Because six inches would look ridiculous.
Why does Godzilla have two feet? Because six inches would look ridiculous. Some things, like that joke, age badly. Not Godzilla though, as this film marks his 60th anniversary. Yes, the scaly honcho from Japan first rose from the ocean in 1954 (whilst America was still producing films like White Christmas) to become the biggest threat to the Japanese way of life since the knife and fork.
Since then there have been 29 Godzilla movies, at least one cartoon and even a Sepultura song. He’s starred in more films than King Kong, Jaws, Alien and predator combined, which makes him bigger in Japan than Karaoke and noodles. Sure, Kong came first, but he’s a pussy cat in comparison - whilst Kong climbs buildings, ‘Zilla destroys cities. Awoken by nuclear testing in the pacific, he represents the evil we create for ourselves. Only with a big fucking tail.
I know what you are thinking, “If he’s so awesome, why haven’t we seen him on screen for ten years?” Well, I’m glad you asked. After the 50th anniversary (Godzilla: Final wars), Toho Co. Ltd said there would be no Godzilla for ten years. In that time, there has been talk of IMAX short films from Japan being green-lit but nothing appeared. It was only when Toho joined forces with the aptly named Legendary Pictures that the beast was resurrected.
So, what you’ve got here is a film that mirrors its subject – a cross-continental beast, a mutated freak of gigantic proportions that crushes all else in its path. Produced by the Japanese, directed by an Englishman (the superb Gareth Edwards Monsters) and powered by the USA (catering and Bryan Cranston) and all in glorious 3D IMAX, this makes Pacific Rim look like the fucking Power Rangers. Monster, monster.
Smiley
Why does Godzilla have two feet? Because six inches would look ridiculous. Some things, like that joke, age badly. Not Godzilla though, as this film marks his 60th anniversary. Yes, the scaly honcho from Japan first rose from the ocean in 1954 (whilst America was still producing films like White Christmas) to become the biggest threat to Japanese culture since the knife and fork. Since then there have been 29 Godzilla movies, at least one cartoon and even a Sepultura song. He’s starred in more films than King Kong, Jaws, Alien and predator combined, which makes him bigger in Japan than Karaoke and noodles. Sure, Kong came first, but he’s a pussycat in comparison - whilst Kong climbs buildings, ‘Zilla destroys cities. Awoken by nuclear testing in the pacific, he represents the evil we create for ourselves. Only with a big fuck off tail. I know what you are thinking, “If he’s so awesome, why haven’t we seen him on screen for ten years?” Well, I’m glad you asked. After the 50th anniversary (Godzilla: Final Wars), Toho Co., Ltd said there would be no Godzilla for ten years. In that time, there has been talk of IMAX short films from Japan being green-lit but nothing appeared. It was only when Toho joined forces with the aptly named Legendary Pictures that the beast was resurrected. So, what you’ve got here is a film that mirrors its subject – a cross-continental beast, a mutated freak of gigantic proportions that crushes all else in its path. Produced by the Japanese, directed by an Englishman - the superb Gareth Edwards (Monsters) - and powered by the USA (catering and Bryan Cranston) and all in glorious 3D IMAX, this makes Pacific Rim look like the fucking Power Rangers. Monster, monster.
