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| packmule | Jul 26 2009, 07:28 PM |
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Living Large: The Return Of Godzilla(1984) - Revisited Summary: Director: Koji Hashimoto Producer: Tomoyuki Tanaka Studio: Toho Theatrical release date in Japan: 12/15/1984 Audio: Dolby stereo Aspect ratio: 1:85.1 widescreen Run time: 103 minutes Filmed in color I first watched The Return Of Godzilla on bootleg VHS, in its uncut version, with English subtitles in 1995. I can remember being surprised at how different it was from its American version, released in theaters in the U.S. in 1985, called Godzilla 1985. I saw the American version of this film at a theater across the street from one of the gates of the Charleston Naval Base(in Charleston, SC). At the time I was stationed on this base as a U.S. Navy officer, assigned to one of the base's ships. I watched "G 1985" a half dozen times that week, mostly after work and while moderately to heavily inebriated. Thankfully, when I first watched the original 1984 Toho version, I was coherent and, more importantly, sober. The Return Of Godzilla, as most or all hard core fans of Godzilla know, is an important film for the "G" film franchise. Godzilla had ended a run of film appearances in 1975's Terror Of Mechagodzilla and been placed on indefinite hiatus by Toho. Godzilla's break from cinema would last about nine(9) years. During the Showa era(1954-1975) of G films, Godzilla had gone from menace to humanity to mankind's savior. Many believe it is this change that invariably led to Godzilla's ouster on the big screen. The Return Of Godzilla(1984), the first "Heisei" era G movie, marks Godzilla's return to being a hostile menace and bane to human kind. Over the years I have come to greatly appreciate the 1984 Godzilla film. Some observations, some positive and some negative- Thumbs up: 1. the overall rendering of Godzilla. The monster's head and face look hostile, with deep and furrowed brows, large teeth and pronounced claws on his hands. The accompanying roar, much like the 1954 "Gojira" film deep roar, and the audio of the monster's footsteps all combine to effectively project the hugely intimidating effect of the creature. High speed filming is extensive, slowing down Godzilla's movements, which also helps to convey the monster's enormous size. 2. many of the effects shots in this film are indelible for me, including: -Godzilla's withering, laterally moving oral beam the monster unleashes on the defense forces that fire on him at the Tokyo Bay docks. Godzilla's beam creates a surging firewall that annihilates the entire force. -the monster slowly advancing through the bay, his movements creating a surge that slams the Russian ship hard into the dock -Godzilla firing his oral beam at the building while engaging the Super X capitol defense force jet, the beam blasting a hole right through the building 3. the Japanese Prime Minister, "Mitamura", who refused to be bullied by loud mouthed Russian and American envoys who tried to convince him to allow their respective militaries to use nukes on Godzilla 4. the official and aide to the Japanese PM who popped to and managed to have his cigarette lighter open and lit for his boss' smoke, even before PM Mitamura had placed the cigarette in his mouth. Excellent reflexes.  5. Yasuko Sawaguchi, who played Professor Hayashida's assistant "Naoko Okumura", for simply looking lovely  6. Ken Satsuma, for his marvelous performance in the bulky Godzilla suit 7. Godzilla Vs the Super X: a well choreographed battle with great pyrotechnic effects and the design of the Super X looked very cool. Thumbs down: 1. the vagrant who, helping himself to the abandoned restaurant's food and liquor, treats an 80 meter tall Godzilla, thundering by outside, as nothing more than a mild nuisance to his impromptu plans for a free meal. 2. the use of the "Cyborg" Godzilla: the sequences where this prop was used leave a lot to be desired and I'll leave it at that 3. the full size replica of Godzilla's foot, used several times during Godzilla's rampage in the city: again, it left a lot to be desired. 4. the Russian sub commander, who for some reason reminded me of comic-actor Will Ferrell 5. the uniforms of the Russian officers and enlisted on the sub: their attire reminded me of Salvation Army uniforms Overall: for me The Return Of Godzilla(1984) is solid entertainment! |
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| The Return Of Godzilla(1984) · Heisei Godzilla Films 1984-1995 | |
6:25 PM Nov 28
