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Klownzilla
09-26-2002, 03:42 PM
I already posted this a while back in August, but since this is a new forum, I'll post it again. I'm sure this is what other G-fans intend to do as soon as they get here, so I’ll be the first to do it.

The year is 2004. It has been 50 years since Godzilla's first attack on Japan. In 1954, he was destroyed in the ocean with a chemical mixture that has been lost to the Japanese government. After the mysterious destruction of an American submarine, General Tachibana of the Japan Self Defense Force proclaims that the thing responsible for the misfortune is Godzilla. Tachibana's parents were victims of Godzilla's original reign of terror back in 1954. His daughter Yuri is a reporter for a tv show called "Digital Q" which goes around investigating unexplained incidents around Japan. The truth about that is the makers of the show create stories and hoaxes for the Q staff to do phony reports on. While visiting prison for a mysterious old man, Yuri and the other staff members are taken to see Isayama who tells that Godzilla is coming back and he is the embodiment for all the soldiers killed during the Pacific War. He also speaks of 3 creatures which can be called upon to defend Japan in times of crisis: The Yamato Guardians. An unidentified creature is responsible for destroying the tunnel. Everyone assumes it's Godzilla, until the creature is revealed to be Baragon, an ancient Yamato guardian who would protect Japan from danger. While several people are fishing, a huge wave appears and Godzilla rises from the ocean to start destroying Japan. Baragon trails all over the countryside to reach and combat Godzilla. Once the two meet, Baragon unleashes all of his fury on the Monster King, but is ultimately defeated. A strange cocoon appears in a lake and something breaks out of it. It is the 2nd Yamato monster known as Mothra. Isayama resurrects the 3rd guardian King Ghidorah who has been imprisoned in an icy cavern for 2,000 years. Now, Mothra and King Ghidorah join together in the fight against Godzilla. Yuri stands by recording the action as the 3 monsters clash in a battle to save Japan!

Shusuke Kaneko of the 90's Gamera series fulfills his life-long dream in directing a Godzilla film. Kaneko is probably the best director to tackle a G film since Inoshira Honda in 1954. The portrayal of Godzilla as the ultimate evil works great. Just seeing Godzilla have no mercy on his victims(humans and monsters alike) is horrifying. It makes you feel glad that there is no such creature which can exact vengence on the world. The special effects in GMK are brilliant. Seeing Godzilla's blue atomic ray is a treat.

The musical score by Kô Ôtani is effective, but the real masterpiece comes at the end of the film with Akira Ifukube's immortal Godzilla theme.

So ,if you're looking for a campy, goofy Godzilla movie with extreme silliness and comedy to watch with children, then this is NOT the film for you.

4/4 Stars

http://www.rodansroost.com/rodansroost/showcase/gmk/gmkjap1.jpg

Gluttony
01-31-2003, 09:50 PM
GMK is something I have been salivating over for the longest time. Do you know when it will reach the US?

Good review by the way, you have my all excited now.

Klownzilla
01-31-2003, 10:10 PM
Toho is being stingy by not letting Godzilla X Megaguirus and GMK into the states. However, there is a solution: www.fareastflix.com

This website sells subtitled VHS copies, as well as region-free subtitled DVDs of this and other Godzilla movies. I've ordered a lot from them.

Gluttony
03-29-2004, 01:27 PM
I finally bought the DVD and although there isn't much to it, the movie was worth the pretty penny I paid for it. The transfer of this epitome of Godzilla is prestine and there are a few nice trailers...

The cover isn't all that great though, especially considering the illustrated cover it had for theatrical runs. Also the lack of any sort of extra is a downer for us over here in the states, but at least we got the choice of subtitles and dubbing! That's always a plus.

The movie itself was why I bought it and I tell you Klownzilla, you were right in saying that the Sci-Fi channel really botched it (the movie is 105 minutes) and the dubbing was atrocious.

Seeing this movie on DVD was a reminder of the joy that Godzilla has meant to me since I was a little tike, watching that terrible lizard destroy tokyo... this is certainly one of the best Godzilla efforts in a long time, even above Godzilla vs. Destroyah! However, I must admit that I still love Godzilla vsa. King Ghidorah as my favorite of this series. But besides that and the original, this IS the experience the world needs today.

rubenmania
04-04-2004, 06:15 PM
IT was great. Big fan of Godzilla.

Its a whole new experience. A lot of different stuff that never happened before.

10/10 score
Buy this one if you are a fan

Ratlehed
08-22-2004, 12:12 AM
My first Godzilla film since I saw Godzila 2000 at the theatre. I really enjoyed this one. Alot of action and cool Godzilla effects. I am a fan of the blue radiation fire myself. The movie got me interested in these films again.
3 out of 4.