Customer Reviews

Godzilla 2000 [VHS]

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(50)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

Produced by Toho as a "take that" to the awful American remake from 1998, I thought this Godzilla movie was really great! I also found it much better than the bloated Series 2 (1984-1995) films, and to be as fun as any of the Series 1 (1954-1975) films! The story was intriguing, the characters were likeable (and thankfully fewer characters, unlike the Byzantine Series 2 characters), the special effects are impressive (almost to the level of the new Gamera movies, and it even uses some CGI!), there was actually more hardcore monster action (as opposed to the in-your-face laser light shows of the recent films), Takayuki Hattori's music was well done for a non-Akira Ifukube score, and the movie doesn't take itself too seriously! Godzilla here looks his best yet, and the Millennian/Orga is one of Godzilla's more bizarre adversaries!

Although the public response to this film was surprisingly positive, I was rather discouraged to hear the same words that US critics used to describe Japanese SF films past, such as "cheesy" and "campy." Although I don't mind poking fun at Japanese SPFX, I just wish they weren't so meanspirited. Besides, old fashioned suitamation FX has been improving in Japanese films, especially with the aid of CGI! You have to give them credit.

I was very happy to see this film in the theater (I saw the Japanese version later on), and that Tri-Star brought this film to the US, partially to apologize to the US fans for that American monstrosity! I think it's time for the US to appreciate Japanese SPFX, and maintain its fandom in the US.

In short, I reccommend this movie! Look for it, especially on DVD!

I am glad to see that despite all the adverse influence (Gamera, American Godzilla), Toho still knows how to make one hell of a big goofy movie. This may be among my favorite of the newer G films, keeping the 'plot' at a steady pace, while featuring many other goodies we've come to know and love: intentionally bad dubbing, likable but two dimenstional characters, and a completely incomprehensible ending w/ moral. Put putting all those aside, G2K actually sets some pretty high standards that actually exceed hollywood. For one, the minature work here utterly amazing. There is nothing from hollywood that really makes such an incredible use of minatures and it far surpasses and former toho efforts. In the end as Godzilla continues to torch Japan, the ruined city looks completely believable. There are of course also some great shots of Godzilla along the skyline that work tremendously well--but as you might also expect, there are some scene you'll need to just pretend :)

The final G test though is the fun meter. Was Godzilla's entrance REALLY cool, did it have you jumping up in down in the theater? Well maybe not, but it was great. For the non godzilla fans (and the people who like the US version) this may be completely lost on you and just another cheesy film, but for the those who 'get it' and have been getting it since they were little kids, G2K is a really great entry in the big guy's 50 year oeuvre.

I was a big Godzilla fan in the 80s, when the Monster Movie of the Week seemed to play every hour of every day of the week. Although I can't precisely remember every monster and every battle, I fondly remember "Godzy" (as my mom would call him, both of my parents are sci-fi fans) beating the rubbery stuffing out of his opponents. Sometimes he had allies (Rodan), sometimes he had recurring enemies (King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla) and sometimes he just blew stuff up a lot.

Appreciating a Godzilla movie requires the viewer to adjust his expectations. Godzilla movies aren't about great acting, linear plots, or special effects. The Japanese movie industry understands its audience--if you're going to buy into a gigantic atomic-breathing humanoid lizard, pretty much anything goes. "Anything" includes robots, aliens, robots built by aliens, size-shifting robots (Jet Jaguar ROCKS!) and tiny singing faeries. And don't forget the giant moth.

Trying to make the Godzillaverse make sense is a huge mistake, as evidenced by the failure of the American version of Godzilla in theaters. There's nothing quite like creating a titanic lizard and then not giving him atomic breath because "that just wouldn't make sense."

Godzilla 2000 is the Toho studio's response to the American movie. Which is to say it is both better and worse.

By the time we get to Godzilla 2000, the big lug has been around long enough to create two rival investigating forces. On the good guy side we have the Godzilla Prediction Network (GPN) led by Shinoda (Takehiro Murata) and his daughter Io (Mayu Suzuki). The GPN team (if you can call them that) is accompanied by Yuki (Naomi Nishida), who is trying to get a good picture of Godzilla for the local newspaper. Ironically, nobody can get a good close-up of Godzilla because he emits enough radiation to ruin photography. Which really does make one wonder...shouldn't just being in proximity to Godzilla fry every human being in a hundred mile radius?

The bad guys consist of the Crisis Control Intelligence (CCI) agency, led by Katagiri (Hiroshi Abe). The two groups have a bit of history: Shinoda used to work for the CCI before he left due to their "violent tendencies." Where GPN seeks to examine and understand Godzilla for the good of mankind, the CCI wants to blow him up into big, radioactive chunks.

If you haven't figured it out yet, much of the movie centers on this philosophical argument as to how to treat Godzilla. It's pretty clear that Godzilla doesn't care either way, as he comes rampaging ashore in a quest to find Japan's power sources. Why? Because in a not very subtle way, Godzilla is a parallel for the dangers of atomic weapons. At least he was, when Godzilla first graced the screen. Godzilla is the result of our warmongering and he retaliates with a vengeance by attacking atomic plants.

The CCI takes the direct approach, accepting any human casualties that might be necessary to take Godzilla head on. Tanks, mines, armor-piercing missiles...none of it works, because Godzilla regenerates at incredibly high speed. That little tidbit of information greatly interests the GPN, who names Godzilla's DNA (Regenerator-1) and seeks to use it to save humanity. Well, maybe eventually. In another movie.

The unearthing of a meteorite by the CCI eventually interrupts Godzilla's rampage. Sure enough, the meterorite, which is millions of years old, awakens when touched by light. And that meteor is in reality an alien spacecraft with DNA mimicking capabilities. It immediately makes a beeline for Godzilla.

This alien being/ship is known as Orga, and it goes through several phases. First it starts out as a particularly feminine looking saucer. Then it transforms, for about thirty seconds, into a large jellyfish. This scene is so short and irrelevant to the movie that it seems like something was cut. Finally, Orga turns into a big guy in a rubber suit. And then we're back to the Godzilla movies from the 80s, where guys in suits slap each other silly until one of them falls down.

Godzilla has been redesigned for this film to make him look more feral looking. For the most part, it works. His dorsal spikes are particularly vicious, his fangs jut out over his lips, and his eyes are perpetually fixed in a cruel glare. Orga, on the other hand, looks ridiculous. He's a big, floppy-fisted monster with barely enough motion to move his gigantic oversized claws.

I never appreciated the physical acting required for Godzilla. When it's a rubber suit, the emotion that can be conveyed must be over-the-top pantomiming. This actor doesn't have it.

Godzilla has arms. Past Godzilla movies have made sure Godzilla ripped things apart with his claws, mauled his opponents, or twitched in agitation. This version of Godzilla doesn't have much to do but sort of wave his arms around slightly. It makes him look pretty foolish when he's trying to be scary or in pain or.

The other problem, and this is a big one, is how Godzilla uses his breath weapon. In other Godzilla movies, he reared backwards and you got the sense that breathing atomic fire took a lot of effort. When the flames blew out of his mouth, it seemed like a true exhalation of atomic destruction. In this movie, Godzilla looks vaguely constipated, waves his head about, and then the flames sort of fall out of his mouth.

Throughout the first half of the movie there is some amusing dialogue (or at least, amusing translations), some real moments of tension, and a lot of human stupidity. During the second half, the humans pretty much stand around and watch the city get blown up real good.

Of all the characters, Katagiri steals the show. When staring down Godzilla eye-to-eye, Katagiri simply lights a cigarette and says "I've never been this close to Godzilla before." But as well all know, nobody stares Godzilla in the eye and walks away without glowing.

The movie spirals into bizarre territory at the end, with Orga trying to absorb Godzilla, who strangely complies (there's a whole Orga/female Godzilla/male thing going on too, ICK). Scientists spout about Regenerator-1 genes, military generals philosophize about aliens from outer space, and Shinoda tells his daughter in a voice over about how Godzilla keeps protecting humanity because there's a little bit of him in all of us...

Meanwhile, in the background, Godzilla sets the entire city ablaze with his radioactive breath.

This movie is more like two movies, bridging the original Godzilla film with the later Monsterama battles that Godzilla has become known for. In fact, it's more a homage to all the Godzilla films that went before. All in all, a worthy successor to the Godzilla series and certainly more respectful of its origins than the American version.

WOW! I was lucky enough to see this movie in a movie theater, and I loved every minute of it, here are the reasons. The first is the Godzilla design it's fantastic, it brings back many old elements, jagged spines, mean looking eyes, huge fangs, as well as a new more life look. Second was Orga, Godzilla's opponent, he's a very strange, but cool new monster. It has long ape like arms, a face that resembles the American Godzilla, and a powerful energy beam. Third is the music it's very mysterious and fits the feel of the movie very well. Fourth are the special effects, they're FANTASTIC. The scenes with Godzilla breathing fire, Orga blasting his energy beam or regenerating, the military attack, and Godzilla swimming (which is my favorite scene) are all amazing, they take Godzilla films to a new level of quality. Last is the final battle it is very exciting and really fun to watch. This is Godzilla at his best, I would recommend this movie to any G-fan, Sci-Fi fan, or anyone who wants to see a great Sci-Fi film, you won't be dissapointed.

In one of the first scenes of the movie you have lighthouse keeper 100 feet in the sky looking out to see the prow of a ship moving across outside the window. What is a ship doing floating 1000 feet in the air?? He looks puzzled as the ship slowly moves across the field of vision then teeth, then.... the man!

As soon as I saw that I knew this movie was something special.

Oh yeah this is good. This is really really good. A must for all Godzilla fans. You gotta have it.

The old boy never looked so good. A brandy new suit design, wicked looking spines, animatronic head, and state of the art model work make this movie a jewel for all of us who've enjoyed seeing the old boy through the years.

I'm so glad I bought this one. It's the best of the best. Toho at its pinnacle of Godzilla-dom.

I love it.

Possibly the best Godzilla film of all time. Great acting. Great monster battles. The only thing that isn't great about this film are the curse words. They shouldn't have curse words in movies.
Anyway, THIS IS A GREAT FILM! I ABSOLUTELY TREASURE IT! It isn't perfect, of course, but it is a LOT better than that dumb american godzilla film!
WATCH THIS FILM! IT'S WORTHIT!

My rating: ******/***** 6/5

Ok, I'll admit it. When I was a kid I LIVED for Saturday morning "sci-fi theater" type programs and always hoped for a good Godzilla movie to be featured. Well, I haven't kept up with the lore and movies but I will watch one when I see it on late night tv here and there. I can't explain it because the movies ARE undeniably cheesey, but there's just something about the big lizard that I like. :) Now, I got this movie to see if it was possible that the newer movies had progressed to the point where they would be cool AND not cheesy. This doesn't disappoint!

Of course, the lip synching is still there and that was always part of the charm of the older movies in my opinion. Other than that however, I was actually impressed. This movie doesn't look like a guy in a lizard suit tromping around. It looked like I always WISHED it would look as a kid. I found this movie to have the best elements of all the old "classics" but the special effects and realism that you'd hope for in a 21st century movie. Don't tell anyone, but I LIKED this movie! :)

This was a nice return to "classic Godzilla" after the American version was made. The story is about aliens trying to take over the world and Godzilla is the only thing keeping them from world domination. Yeah, this idea has been used more than enough times in the Godzilla series, but it doesn't hurt this movie at all. In the movie, you never actually see the aliens but you do get to see the monster they unleash on Tokyo called Orga. It's a nasty looking lizard creature that is really cool. The special effects are beyond compare when it comes to Godzilla movies. A lot of computer special fx were used in this movie. The UFO and Orga for the most part was all computer generated. Godzilla wasn't because all the fans like it better that way. Godzilla went back to being a bad guy in this movie, which is the way it should be, Gamera can take care of being the good monster of Japan, let Godzilla be bad! Overall really good, all fans will love this movie, and it will make a lot of new fans also!

VIDEO QUALITY:
The release presented the film in it's original 2.35:1, and featured anamorphic enhancement. Colours were consistently vivid, and the overall look of the film was much sharper and brighter than any other DVD release. The brightness appeared to have been boosted during the night scenes (in particular the final battle) which helped a lot - the original Japanese print was so dark you could barely make anything out. Sadly, these enhancements also bring about grain that covers every scene of the film, and on occasion some mild artifacting. Overall though, it looks much nicer than any other release of the film.

AUDIO QUALITY:
The disc features three dubbing tracks, English 2.0, English 5.1, and French 2.0. All the of the tracks sound great, and the English 5.1 is outstanding. Sadly, there is no trace of the original Japanese audio. The quality of what you do get is still great though.

EXTRA FEATURES:
First and foremost in my opinion is the audio commentary from writer/producer Mike Schlesinger, editor Michael Mahoney supervising sound editor Darren Paskal, who worked on this US version of the film. It's a great commentary, very fun to listen to, and very informative about the editing decisions that were made for the film's US release. You'll also find 2 minutes of special effects behind the scenes features. Other extras include talent files for director Takao Okawara and Godzilla himself, as well as theatrical trailers for "Godzilla 2000", "Godzilla" (1998) and "Anaconda". It may not be chocker blocked with features, but what's there is excellent.

OVERALL:
Virtually the best video quality you'll find for this film, and the 5.1 audio sounds lovely. It's a shame that the disc lacks the original Japanese cut with Japanese audio, as was promised, though that boils down to Sony, Toho and release schedules. Basically Toho took so long to get off their asses and release it on DVD in Japan (over a year since the film's initial release) that they were reluctant to give Sony the uncut version with Japanese audio in fear that many Japanese would buy the much cheaper American alternative, and at the same time Sony understandably didn't want to miss out on a Christmas release for their disc. In any case you can still enjoy the film for what it is, and packed with the guys audio commentary it's not a disc you want to be passing up any time soon.

Given I'm from the "Raymond Burr" generation of Godzilla Fans, I must say, this remake is a fire breathing blast!!! My brother and I grew up on the old Godzilla films as boys. I was not that impressed with the one that starred Mathew Broderick, even though the effects were well done: I suppose my view is prejudiced by my love for the old Godzilla we all grew up on. I love Mathew's work, for the most part, especially his appearance in the movie "WarGames", as well as his role in "Inpector Gadget"; but lets face it, there is nothing that beats the old Godzilla formula I grew up with or the look of our dear old, handsome looking dragon.

As I think back to my own boyhood, my brother and I would often spend an afternoon building whole cities in our bedroom, using erector sets, lincoln logs, and other building type kits, while orchestrating our own play scripts and while having our stuffed animals destroy the make believe city we built in our bedroom. Loads of fun and it kept us out of our parents hair. What inspired us; well, Godzilla, of course! (chuckling)

Watching this first, of the new millenium remakes, was a delight. All was very well done, for the most part, along the lines of the old Godzilla film formula. Some scenes are a little hokey, effects wise; but it still only adds to the charm of the filming. I had hoped someday, someone would follow the old Godzilla formula, using today's special effects, and bring back our old handsome dragon to stomp all over the world again. I didn't know these films were available, until I saw them offered in the "Preview" section of the 2004 Astro Boy anime series. Guess I'm a little behind trying to catch up on the International film making scene these days. This film looks really great for the most part and is awesome in surround sound.

The script is nothing complex. Man has found a huge, underwater rock that floats to the surface, is really an alien ship in disguise and gives birth to a horrible looking alien creature, as big as Godzilla, that wants to take over the world. Comes Godzilla to save the day and banish this evil creature, while wiping out part of Tokyo to do the job. I have nothing against the Japanese people, but they sure do have a thing against their own city; wanting to wipe it out all the time with a fire breathing dragon like Godzilla. (chuckling) In the end, Godzilla makes it clear no one messes with him, not even the head administrative official, who launches his attacks to try and destroy Godzilla throughout the film. It's clear the message with these films is that Godzilla serves a purpose: To keep mankind from averting greater dangers the Universe might throw at him, by having a mighty advocate on his side. Problem is, if you live in Tokyo, you better make sure your property insurance is paid up when this large lizard shows up!

Like the old Godzilla films, you really don't see anyone directly killed in this particular remake, except at the end; when the head official gets his by the "don't mess with me" lizard he tries to destroy throughout the film. Death is always near misses in this film, so it should be great for kids to watch. It's scary, but fun. This is a nice change from all the films that show so much of death's gore and horror only all to graphically these days.

The original Japanese comes with the audio, with English subtitles, which is great and the minuture work looks even better than the old movie series. Very real looking for the most part, more crisp; but still lots of fun, as Godzilla fights to protect and beat up Tokoyo in one fire breathing breath.

There is a short behind the scenes feature added to the DVD. It's not very long and frankly a disappointment. Even though its in Japanese, I would have liked to have had the main people interviewed, with english translations, to hear more about why this remake was finally being pursued and why this particular script was written to start off the remake series of films; since their inception starting the year 2000. It would have also been helpful to give some folklore behind the whole Godzilla mythology in Japanese tradition for Americans to understand better. I think the Japanese have an interesting civilization which embrace Western method and views these days, in mix with that of Chinese traditions. Such behind the scenes interviews would have been a chance for the film makers to better bridge the generation and civilization gap for young viewers eager to learn about their culture and way of thinking I should think. The commentary section of the movie is very, very good I might add. Do take time to play the movie with the commentary on. Allot of information is given.

Otherwise, the packaging is just fine. Delivery was fast! The product arrived ahead of time. No problems with the DVD disk. In short, no complaints.

Looking forward to more romping, chomping and burning from our friend Godzilla!