The first and best of the second cycle of Godzilla films, GODZILLA (1984) brings Godzilla into more modern times by infusing it with new and relevent themes of the time and more advanced special effects, while at the same time keeping true to the style and direction that made the Showa era films so good.

A direct sequel to the original, ignoring every film from 1955-1975, GODZILLA (1984) updates the message of the original for the contemporary 1980s setting by…

There’s a reason why this character has survived for so long and become one of the most recognizable figures in all of fiction, and part of that stems from how this film took itself differently from from other monster/sci-fi fare at the time. For me at least, the most interesting part of Godzilla as a character has less to do with his character so much as how he is used to drive the story and what he represents. Here, in…

GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA was director Jun Fukuda's final Godzilla film, and boy did he save the very best for last. Amazing pacing, great and well directed action in both the human and monster scenes, energetic and well done effects by Teruyoshi Nakano, an interesting human story, some of the best monster designs for the series, and perhaps the catchiest Godzilla score by Masaru Sato, GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA is one of the best and most entertaining entries in the entire franchise.…

Ever since childhood, I've always wanted another Godzilla movie like the original 1954 film and GODZILLA (1984). One that was just Godzilla on his own, Japan trying to survive, and very relevant social and politics issues. SHIN GODZILLA is very much that film I've been waiting for and more. Filled with fast paced and well done direction, surprisingly great visuals and action scenes, a good albeit at times repetitive score, and enjoyable characters and performances, SHIN GODZILLA is a great…

[First viewing December 25, 2005]

Ryuhei Kitamura's GODZILLA FINAL WARS has a lot of elements that technically should not go well together, but somehow and some way, it does work in the most over the top and balls to the walls way possible.

GODZILLA FINAL WARS has nothing pretentious about itself, Ryuhei Kitamura very obviously wanted to make a Godzilla movie that was more akin to the very action packed adventures of the early to mid 70s (he even stated…

GODZILLA VS MOTHRA is at once better and worse than its predecessor GODZILLA VS KING GHIDORAH.

Better in a sense that the plot feels more focused and more fine tuned, direction feels a bit better, effects feel more consistent, and the characters are much better.

...until after Godzilla's first scene. The movie tries to force in this message about the environment and humanity's dangerous role (just like the original MOTHRA and MOTHRA VS GODZILLA) but here its ham fisted and…

A missed opportunity resulting in a hollow and empty feeling film

GODZILLA: PLANET OF THE MONSTERS was an interesting and exciting concept: bringing the most endearing giant monster of all time into the world of Japanese animation, a medium that wouldn't be hindered by the burden of painstaking miniatures and effects that has been more than proven as a feasible means to portray giant creatures and huge action. However, the result we have here is a missed opportunity, filled with…

At its core, this is a film about people, the relationships between people, and how they grow through those relationships... it just so happens to set to the backdrop of two giant monsters fighting.

The second and in my opinion best Godzilla film by director Masaaki Tezuka, GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA tells a story of a pilot (played by Yumiko Shaku) who seeks redemption and eventually self worth after a tragedy caused by Godzilla. The tool of her redemption: a mechanical…