Three Films to Introduce Non-Fans?

[Pkmatrix]

Hey guys, I need a little help!

I'm planning to do a little Godzilla marathon for some friends either later this month or next month, I'm thinking a night with two or three movies (plus some beer, pizza, etc.). I've never done this before. While everyone knows I like Godzilla movies, I've not attempted to share that with anyone in nearly 10 years. Since the new movie is coming out later this year and almost everyone has expressed interest in it, I figure it would be fun to sit some of my friends down to watch.

The problem? I have no idea what to show them.

All of them are non-fans who, for the most part, have had zero exposure to the franchise besides Z'98. Pretty much everyone will be between 23 and 30. I think there's general agreement that '80s Action and Horror are awesome.

Suggestions?

[MekaGojira3k]

I don't know about three, but two movies that have ALWAYS gotten great response are
Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1974) and Godzilla: Final Wars.

[lhb412]

[MekaGojira3k]

Some people take to Monster Zero but the human plot doesn't always seem to work for people. I've had a number of people complain about it being boring,
but I agree with Ghidrah, vs. Gigan, vs. MechaGodzilla.

[Jorzilla]

1. Gojira

2. Return of Godzilla

3. Godzilla vs. Biollante

[Hybrid Gojira]

It probably depends on the person.

I showed my wife Gojira, which she liked. But as lbh noted, it's a heavy movie.

I really like G84 and Biollante.

GMK is a well-made film, so I'd consider that.

Mothra vs G, Astro Monster, or Ghidrah are all really solid.

And if you're looking for something a little less serious, Terror of MG is a fun and has some really cool scenes, plus I love MG and Titanosaurus.

[klen7]

[metal_bryan]

[H-Man]

I think BIOLLANTE is a great first Godzilla film. It's considerably more serious than most of the movies but it also features an enemy monster that's decidedly Japanese. GODZILLA VS. THE THING is a good choice for the same reason. I'd suggest BIOLLANTE first, THING second, and you could pick almost anything after that if the first two go well.

[lhb412]

[Gman2887]

Love'em or hate'em, GMK and the Kiryu movies typically grab some people's attention for me. Maybe sub one of the movies for vs. Biollante sometimes.

[Jorzilla]

GMK and Kiryu are good since they have the best effects of the franchise. You're either going to have to go with something that exceeds expectations in SPFX (Millennium), or keeps expectations low (50s & 60s films). It depends on the audience.

[eabaker]

It really depends upon the person. Gojira has always worked for me, and after that, GMK has generally gotten the best response. But, for different people, I've had a lot of success with: King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. Hedorah and Godzilla vs. Biollante.

[Pkmatrix]

Thanks, everybody! This helps a lot. ^_^

[Gman2887]

[eabaker]

[DannyBeane]

Gojira
GMK
Ghidrah

[Bluejira]

GMK
KK vs. G
Gojira

[angilas]

KKvG was the first I saw as an infant. G85 may have been second. I think maybe mechagodzilla was third since I have identical bulky new world tapes for those and I remember not getting gtthm, sea monster etc until I was 3 from Kmart and the rest of the Showa series until later '89 (excluding dam which was 95) but I loved the big G ever since.
Still I don't think that's a practical order though I think the films are fun. If you picked those three I'd think they'd be good choices but save KKvG for last since if they know what they get to watch next theyd be super excited. There's no bigger title card than that. I think if you told people on the streets that matchup was coming in a film now itd be more anticipated than Pacquiao v. Mayweather once was, Lebron vs. Durant, US Hockey vs Russia..well you get the picture.

Given their love of 80s Sci if I say start out with GvBio. It's more action packed than G84 ( which I think has the better soundtrack though). As awesome as 85 is you run the risk of boring them during some scenes which is a bad idea for a first foray into Godzilla. Plus you get a cool flashback to its highlights with some Ifukube in the intro to bio.

Second I say Mothra vs Godzilla. It's the best next to the original IMO. It's in color. It's got great battles with goji vs Mothra imago and larvae, and the military (US in the dub). So it'd be easier for a group of fans looking for instant gratification to digest. The original should be watched by itself the first time IMO.

Thrird, I say GMK. It's the best of the mire series from a technical standpoint (spfx, tone, plot) and has the greatest number of fights before we get into wacky and too short territory to be taken seriously like GFW/ I made the mistake of watching final wars the first time with a group of non fans similar to the ones you're describing, who now love the expendab les etc. they ridiculed it the whole way through. Godzilla was throwing around enemies like ragdolls. Then there's Minya. It's got about 2 good fights in it, the rest is just fan service. You may as well show them g's revenge after hitting a dispensary if your goal was to make them laugh. I say go with GMK its the solid choice.

To restate:
Biollante,
MothravG,
GMK.
This list offers variety, 3 period pieces highly regarded among the best from their era with few detractors unlike some of those most fans either love or hate, and it won't confuse them. In all 3 films Godzilla is the bad guy more or less. He goes from bad to worse in this order. You'll also get a Mothra introduction such that the larva in GMK is not confusing.

I feel like you could substitute GvKG for GvB as it appears to have stood the test of time and is far higher regarded now than it was from 93-2003,when people railed on it for messing up the timeline etc. i think as the first film though KG may confuse some but help others in the way of orgin so it kind of offsets but is a good counter GINO since theyve seen that and may think hes an iguana. My main issue with that one is that while it leaves you wanting more as it did my brother and I, the dubbing is atrocious (we were far more forgiving at 8 and 9 than we are now and I assume you'll be showing them dubs for these), and if more means the direct sequel, GvsMothra(92), that one will quickly leave them wanting less. But if this list leaves them asking for one more and you do hit KG, Isay skip Mothra and go to GvMG(93) which ties into KG in a nice way and is a better film than its predecessor (though not as good as the 70s MG films IMO and has one of the worst versions of Rodan, it should still appeal to fans of 80s scifi since Toho's spfx was still 80s esque [actually their 80s films like and Goji 84/Bio look better to me visually..maybe it was the economy]).

Funny in 2013 I gave myself 1 post before the new film comes out and I'm using it on this (probably why this post is so ridiculously long). Maybe so I remember the next time I try to introduce fans. Maybe because the risk of getting spoiled just went down (and Im considering breaking my vow not to post more than once before a new trailer...goodbye Snowdenzilla, since I cant say it in that thread, even though I left to avoid spoilers thought you did something nice to keep things interesting for fans here). Maybe because its only 3 months left! Either way good luck and let us know how it goes and what you chose.

[tbeasley]

Hm, not three, but I think a nice pairing would be the original and GMK. The film that started it all, and another more contemporary entry, usually considered the best since the golden age of the genre. The two line up fairly well.

[ILL GREEN]

I would go with the attention-grabbers like King Kong vs Godzilla, All Out Monster Attack and Final Wars. We are critical of the later but non-kaiju fans are appealed to martial art action and monster battles.

[EricDent]

How about Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah? That's pretty full of rather cheesy '80s style action with plenty of cool Godzilla fights.

[Jorzilla]

[walshiam]

Godzilla '54, Godzilla '85, Godzilla '00.

[Jorzilla]