Customer Reviews

The Godzilla Collection

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Amazon has the incorrect titles in the boxset listed. The titles included in this are:
GODZILLA, KING OF THE MONSTERS (which is 2 DVDs); GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN; MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA; GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER; INVASION OF ASTRO MONSTER; TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA; and ALL MONSTERS ATTACK

All of the titles except TOM & All Monsters Attack have been released separately prior to the inclusion in this collection, so if you do not have any of them this is a great buy!! On the other hand if you are like me and have all the titles already and were awaiting TOM & AMA to be released separate I understand they will only be released (as of now) in this collection, for only that reason I give this release 4 instead of the 5 stars it should get.

All Godzilla fans should own this set. Included in this gargantuan collection are the following creature features:

1.Godzilla/Godzilla, King of the Monsters
Inspired by the huge success of Warner Bros' The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Toho set out to make its own monster movie - with a creature that manifested a deep concern among the Japanese. While it is easy to laugh at the tongue-in-cheek sequels of the 1960s and 1970s, the original Godzilla is actually a pretty somber film. Shot in stark black and white, Godzilla's first rampage is dark and brooding - a sincere attempt to deal with the serious issues of the period, mainly the nuclear arms race in the aftermath of World War II. Before he became a beloved icon, Godzilla was a collossal nightmare - a physical manifestation of a nuclear bomb. The solemn and thought-provoking Japanese original version is offered here in this set, along with the 1956 American version starring Raymond Burr. Also included are informative audio commentaries and featurettes.

2.Godzilla Raids Again/Gigantis, The Fire Monster
Once Toho Co., Ltd. realized that the big fire-spitting, charcoal-gray lizard was a major box office draw, audiences didn't have to wait long for the follow up. Godzilla Raids Again followed a year later in 1955 and features a new monster, Angurius, a porcupine-like beast and Godzilla's first foe. Godzilla Raids Again is the first of a neverending series of sequels and the only sequel to be filmed in glorious black and white.

As with most sequels, Godzilla Raids Again is not nearly as great a film as it's predecessor. Ishiro Hondo could not return to direct and composer Akira Ikufube was working on another film. With a different director and composer, Godzilla Raids Again has a less serious mood than the first film and has a more action/adventure tone. With few exceptions, this would be the template for all subsequent Godzilla films.

For some silly reason, when Godzilla Raids Again was released in the US in 1959, it was renamed Gigantis: The Fire Monster. Godzilla was redubbed Gigantis and his roar was even changed to sound like Angurius' roar! Numerous other changes were made, making the film, to put it kindly, a bit of a mess. The original Japanese version and the US Gigantis: The Fire Monster (retitled back to Godzilla Raids Again, but with no other corrections) are included in this set.

3.Mothra vs. Godzilla/Godzilla vs. The Thing
Widely considered by many fans as the best of all Godzilla sequels, Mothra vs. Godzilla is pure nostalgic popcorn entertainment. Made long before the days of CGI, Mothra vs. Godzilla harkens back to a time when stuntmen in rubber monster suits stomped on miniature buildings, wrecking havoc on the big screen while audiences watched in awe. More enjoyable than Godzilla Raids Again and King Kong vs. Godzilla, Mothra vs. Godzilla was a welcome return to form. It also shows for the first time since the 1954 original just how indestructable the charcoal grey beast is. The Japanese military (with help from the US navy in the American version) try everything from bombs, missles, tanks, and electricity to stop Godzilla. Of course, none of these methods work so its up to Mothra to save the day.

The American cut is actually pretty faithful to the Japanese original. Very little was edited out, but for marketing reasons the title was changed to Godzilla vs. The Thing. This was a silly marketing ploy to spark audience interest as to who the mysterious "thing" was. Both versions are presented on this collection.

4.Ghidrah, The Three-Headed Monster
Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster was a turning point in the Godzilla series. This is where the monster rumble was born. Godzilla, Mothra (in larvae form), and Rodan team up to battle a new monster named Ghidrah (or Ghidorah in the Japanese version). Ghidorah is an impressive beast - a colossal 3-headed dragon that spits yellow gravity beams. This is Rodan's first appearance since 1956. Unfortunately, the design of the suit was changed to look less menacing. This is when the series begins to gear towards children. Godzilla becomes a reluctant hero. In a rare instance of continuity in the series, Mothra vs. Godzilla is referenced. Invasion of the Astro-Monster (or Monster Zero) followed a year later and these 3 films really form a trilogy.

Both the Japanese and American versions of Ghidorah are included. The Japanese versions runs about 93 minutes and the English dubbed version runs about 85. This was the last Godzilla film to be extensively altered when brought to America. Both versions have their positives. Also included is an Image Gallery and Slide Show of movie posters, an Eiji Tsuburaya biography, and the original Japanese trailer.

5.Invasion of the Astro Monster
Invasion of the Astro Monster (a.k.a Monster Zero, a.k.a Godzilla vs. Monster Zero) is one of the most colorful and delightfully campy entries in the long-running Godzilla series. Aliens from planet X (located just behind Jupiter) borrow Godzilla and Rodan to combat Ghidorah, the three-headed dragon. Mothra is nowhere to be seen this time around. Unfortunately, Toho did not have the budget to throw Mothra into the mix.

Special Features include the english-subtitled Japanese version (runs 94:13) and the english-dubbed American cut (runs 92:57). Also includes an Image Gallery, Poster Slide Show, Tomoyuki Tanaka biography, and the original Japanese trailer. The best special feature is that the film is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen. This flick is a sci fi blast from the past and one of my favorites.

Here we get a gap between films. It's too bad that Classic Media does not own the DVD release rights to Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966) and Son of Godzilla (1967). 'Sea Monster' and 'Son' are available through Sony. Destroy All Monsters (1968) has finally gotten a great DVD release with a menu, chapter selection, and the superior AIP dub.

6.Godzilla's Revenge/All Monsters Attack
This one is the pits. Only Godzilla vs. Megalon may be worse.

Godzilla vs Hedorah and Godzilla vs. Gigan are available on Sony DVDs. Godzilla vs. Megalon has recently gotten an official DVD release.
7.Terror of Mechagodzilla
The sequel to Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) and last film in the Showa era. Ishiro Honda returned to direct and Akira Ikufube returned to score. After this film, Godzilla took a nine year break.

Without a doubt, Classic Media has done a great job presenting Godzilla the way he should be on DVD. They've previously released 5 of the big guy's flicks with both American and original Japanese edits in their widescreen glory along with some decent bonus material. The problem is two Godzilla films are currently only available in this set. It's been reported on a few posting boards that they will be released early in 2008. Good news for those of us who have been rabidly buying each title as they've been released, but it would have nice if they were put out at the same time as this set. For those who haven't dipped in the Godzilla pond yet, this is a great package if you enjoy these kinds of films.

Godzilla Collection

I contacted Classic Media and they said the two exclusive movies in the set will be released separately in early 2008.

For my birthday, my lovely wife gave me the gift of Godzilla -- The Godzilla Collection, in fact, a deluxe box set featuring seven films from the classic era of Toho Studio's most famous giant monster. These deluxe DVDs include both the original Japanese versions and the English dubbed versions, plus more than 20 hours of bonus materials, with commentary tracks, featurettes, photo galleries, and more. As a kid, I really never saw any of the Godzilla films all the way through, so this really has been a journey of discovery.

Of special note is the beautiful two-disc edition of Gojira (1954) / Godzilla, King of the Monsters (1956). The original film, rarely seen outside of Japan until its 50th anniversary, is a haunting, almost lyrical post-war tale of heartbreak and loss. Compared to that, it's hard not to see the "Americanized" version as relatively clumsy, edited into a more straight-ahead creature feature that shoehorned in scenes of Raymond Burr pretending he was in the film. Each version has its own commentary track to bring historical context.

The box set also includes the sequel Godzilla Raids Again, which matches the so-so original 1955 Japanese film with the almost bizarre 1959 American recut; the 1964 feature Mothra vs. Godzilla; the 1964 monster mash Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster (with no less than four mega-monsters); 1965's Invasion of Astro-Monster; the 1969 kiddie flick All Monsters Attack; and 1975's Terror of Mechagodzilla. [...]

I have trouble understanding the implicancies of acquiring rights. But I'm sure if they were able to, the set would have contained these movies. GODZILLA, GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, KING KONG VS GODZILLA (not in this set) MOTHRA VS GODZILLA, GHIDORAH THE THREE HEADED MONSTER, INVASION OF THE ASTRO MONSTER, DESTROY ALL MONSTERS Japanese and American international dub. (not in this set) And even though not as well done as earlier Godzilla films TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA. Terror of Mechagodzilla is the last Godzilla movie Producer Tomoyuki Tanaka, Director Inoshiro (Ishiro) Honda and Composer Akira Ifukube would work on together. I believe Special effects director Eiji Tsubraya had passed away by this time. Long time Godzilla portrayer Haruo Nakajima no longer had the eagerness to wear the heavy rubber suit. The Showa series did not end on a high note. But after the five previous efforts, Godzilla's Revenge (included in this set, but I don't like it) Godzilla vs Hedorah (the Smog Monster), Godzilla vs Gigan, Godzilla vs Megalon, and Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla, none of which are in this set. Terror of Mechagodzilla is given credit as a gallant try to restore godzilla to (not quite his former glory) but at least his late 1960s heyday. Anyway thanks for reading. Please don't be too harsh on me.

The Godzilla Collection is essential for old fans of the king of the monsters and the best possible introduction for the uninitiated. Adults will love the informative special features and the unedited, subtitled original versions of the films (including the dark, metaphor laden original Gojira) and the kids will love the monster mash spectacle of the US versions of the films.

This set includes:

Gojira/Godzilla King of the Monsters

The original Japanese version is an ominous anti-nuclear parable released only a few years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It's quite different from the series it spawned and a rather remarkable film (Akira Kurosawa rated it as one of his 100 fav films!). The US version adds scenes of Raymond Burr and turns it into a more traditional '50s monster on the loose flick, making it more of a romp but still retaining some of the somber tone.

Godzilla Raids Again

Despite the cool title this flick dissapoints: a quicky sequel to the original, rushed into production and featuring little of the crew that made the first film special. The US version, also included, is downright bizzare and adds a bit of (unintential)comedy to lighten things up. Still, there is some neat monster footage of Godzilla and the new monster, Angilas. The only other black and white film in the series.

Mothra vs. Godzilla

The greatest of all Godzilla sequels. The monster suits and puppets, the model sets, the animated death rays and electric bolts, and the compositing of special effects footage into "real" footage are all top notch and the work of master craftsmen in their peak. The wonderfully direct story features duel plots of Godzilla's reappearance in Japan and the discovery and acquisition of island god Mothra's egg by crooked businessmen is executed very well.

Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster

Fun abounds in the incresingly comic book-y sequel which pits Godzilla, Mothra, and now Rodan against the cosmic doombringer: Ghidorah! This freewhelming film features a James Bond inspired plot with the human cast fighting foreign bad guys while the fate of the world is determined by the men-in-suit monsters cast.

Invasion of Astro Monster

A personal fav of mine, this is actually a really cool alien invasion flick with the monsters used mainly as a plot device (weapons of the aliens). Second tier Hollywood star Nick Adams is the star and he delivers and wonderfully hammy performance along with an incredibly likeable cast of other characters who inhabit this galexy-trotting adventure.

All Monsters Attack

The much hated but really not that bad flick in which the monsters are fictional, merely fetured in the dream sequences of the young boy who is the star. It's understandable why it's such a divisive film, but viewed on its own as a children's film it's not bad.

Terror of Mechagodzilla

We jump ahead to the mid-'70s for the last film in the original run of Godzilla films. This film lacks the quality of the earlier films (massive cuts in time and budget due to economic factors in Japan), but is a fitting send-off to the series, featuring Godzilla (by now a superhero character and not the violent monster of earlier films) battling his robot double and a mind-controlled dinosaur.

Like many people I loved Godzilla as a child but I have been away from these films for a while. I was intrigued that these films were not only remastered but also avalable in the original Japanese, with subtitles, for the first time as well as dubbed. I absolutely loved hearing the films in Japanese as it lent to these fanciful films a sense of authenticity. These films are just as fun now as when I saw them as a child with Godzilla's Tokyo-stomping an added thrill in widescreen. Also seeing them as an adult brought additional advantages. With the remastered sound I was able to appreciate the musical skills of Akira Ifukube. Also I appreciated the grace and beauty of the Japanese actresses who were pivotal characters in the films, particularly in the original "Gojira" and "Terror of Mechagodzilla".

This review is for all Godzilla/Gojira fans! Truth is, if you're not a Godzilla/Gojira fan then when you watch a Godzilla/Gojira movie you most likely see a guy in a 'rubber suit' walking around a 'cardboard' city breaking things. If that is what you see then ANY Godzilla/Gojira movie is going to be stupid. If you're a fan, if you see more with your imagination, then this really is the ULTIMATE Godzilla Collection.

Classic Media has done an AMAZING JOB with their "Classic Godizlla" series. In each disc you get not only the cut American-ized version but you also get the uncut ORIGINAL Japanese version and more!

For Godzilla fans you can't get much better than this discs. I've been a Godzilla fan my whole life but had not seen the original, uncut, Japanese version of the film until Classic Media released Gojira. Watching the original Gojira alone makes this collection worth the price tag. Gone is the 'campy' feel and the very bad dubbing. Gone is the American inserted scenes. What you get in Gojira is an honest horror film with massive destruction. Gojira is nothing more than a force of nature that cannot be stopped (*or can he!?). In truth, Gojira is unlike ANY other Godzilla film.

As for the rest of the films, again, Classic Media does an amazing job of letting all Godzilla fans get what they have wanted for so long, the original, uncut, Japanese films (*along with the American-ized versions as well.)

If you've NEVER watched a Godzilla/Gojira film in the original Japanese then I highly recommend it. In doing so you'll get a lot less camp, not terrible 'dubs' and an almost whole new tone. Put on the subtitles, sit back and enjoy the ride!

I recently acquired this set and I can't praise it enough. All of the video is restored very well (with the exception of Ghidorah which is alright but not as good as the others). The audio sounds very good. I love this movies (except All Monsters Attack what a piece of trash) and I'm glad the Classic Media was able to acquire the rights to Ghidorah which is one of my favorites. All of the films have English dub and original Japanese version with English subtitles. The special features are o.k. but more could be added. Each DVD contains a featurette on the making of the Godzilla films and biographies on the men that made him. This set includes...
Gojira (Godzilla): Japanese & English versions; Godzilla: Story Development, Making the Godzilla suit, Commentaries, Trailers, & 16 page booklet
Godzilla Raids Again: Japanese & English versions; Art of suit acting, Commentaries, & Poster slide show
Mothra vs. Godzilla: Japanese & English versions; Akira Ifukube biography, Commentaries, Poster slide show, & Japanese trailer
Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster: Japanese & English versions; Eiji Tsuburaya biography, Commentaries, Poster slide show, & Japanese trailer
Invasion of Astro-Monster (Godzilla vs. Monster Zero): Japanese & English versions; Tomoyuki Tanaka biography, Commentaries, Poster slide show, & Japanese trailer
All Monsters Attack (Godzilla's Revenge): Japanese & English versions; Ishiro Honda biography, Commentaries, Poster slide show, & Japanese Trailer
Terror Of MechaGodzilla: Japanese & English versions; Prelude with English version, Women of Godzilla, Commentaries, Poster slide show, Japanese trailer