Godzilla KOTM... from the Criterion Collection!?!?!

[Joseph Goodman]

More observations... the subs on MvsG are waaaaaaaay more literate than the Classic Media subs.

There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to which are dubbed or subbed. The 70's films are all dubbed, with Japanese credits and titles (the 2008 transfers, I imagine). As mentioned before, WoTG is the Japanese cut with the "international" dub and all your favorite Hong Kong-based dubbers. If that WoTG transfer is the same as the Toho Blu-Ray, it seems noticeably more detailed than the other 2008 Godzilla remasters, even through Starz's lousy streaming quality. DAM doesn't have a "play" button yet.

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

This is amazing news. I might have to add the "gold" package to my cable provider so I can watch these, my current package doesn't include Starz.

Hopefully this does indeed lead to a BD release of these with in the next few years because I'd love to have a complete BD collection of Godzilla.

[lhb412]

7 day free trail of STARZ in Amazon. Let me check some stuff out...

Oooh, first time seeing the Japanese titles for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. Looks like SD.

WotG looks incredible! This one is 1080p, international dub though.

Rodan, also in HD, looks fantastic. Japanese with subs.

Mothra vs. Godzilla... Japanese with subs. It's HD, but it doesn't pop as much as WotG and Rodan's shiny new HD prints - this is probably a transfer that's a few years older. Still a world of improvement from the DVD quality.

[lhb412]

Last night on Amazon the movies all had their old thumbnail images from previous releases, but this morning they're showing up with the Criterion branding.

[Gwangi]

If I am allowed to sound spoiled just for this one time, if this eventually leads to the release of the physical media, BUT with the international dubs, I say nuts to that.

[O.Supreme]

[Zack Metoyer]

[lhb412]

^ Criterion remastered KotM, so I think they'll release the English versions if possible.

While the WotG print is sparkling new, the Godzilla movies appear to be Toho's old HD masters, albeit properly tweaked in brightness and contrast so they fair far better than something like Media Blasters' DAM. This means that slightly brown/yellow tint and somewhat soft - better than DVD, and certainly better than Classic Media's encodes, but still room for improvement.

We know Toho is working on new remasters, so who can say what'll end up being used and what materials are still being gathered? Perhaps what we're seeing now is just what's on hand? When Criterion first put Godzilla '54 and KotM on Hulu, before the home video release, they just put up Classic Media's versions.

[Henry88]

godzilla raids again come on tonight and is in hd as is mothra vs godzilla,oh well i will see tonight.

[canofhumdingers]

[lhb412]

I thought they were making their way through 'em slowly? Didn't the new 4K scan of Mothra vs. Godzilla recently premier on Japanese TV?

[canofhumdingers]

Well, I did a little digging on August Ragone’s blog and saw definite confirmation that King Kong vs Godzilla got a complete remaster (I actually knew about that one, just had a brain fart when making my last post). And there was implication, but less clear that the original Godzilla (1954) also got a full 4K remaster.

So maybe they are? I’m not on social media so I have a lot harder time keeping up with news these days. That’d be awesome if Mothra vs Godzilla is done too!

[Gman2887]

[Benjamin Haines]

[canofhumdingers]

Well awesome! I feel like I have seen all that before and just forgot the details (you know, just small ones like doing all the films in their entirety and not just clips )

Hopefully between this and criterion getting involved we will see UHD discs (or AT LEAST standard BDs) of all the films finally!

Edit: this was in response to gman’s post, darn you and your fast fingers Ben!

[lhb412]

[Mac]

When did the Classic Media DVDs go OOP? I was skeptical, and still am, of a series boxset, but it seems like at the very least, the Classic Media films could get a set.

[lhb412]

^I had no idea, but it certainly seems to be the case: the CM titles are going for absurd prices from the secondary sellers now!

[Henry88]

the dvr now has SOG set as a HD premiere.

[Benjamin Haines]

[Joseph Goodman]

[Benjamin Haines]

^ Good to know.


The only way this image could be more glorious would be if it was a BRD or DVD cover:

[Henry88]

raids again looked great in hd for a movie it's age and new set of subtitles, looking forward to mothra vs godzilla and SOG,if i where to take a guess i would say that mechagodzilla as well will be in HD.

[O.Supreme]

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

Is anyone having issues streaming Son of Godzilla through Amazon Instant video with the Starz trial enabled? I went to watch it tonight via my Xbox One and it says its not available so I'll be watching GvsMG74 instead.