Kraken Releasing to put RETURN OF GODZILLA on Blu-Ray

[O.Supreme]

OK...so I watched about the first 20 minuets or so...Maybe its just because I have G1985 burned into my memory, but this film just feels unfinished, like a rough cut. I have seen it before, but I don't remember it like this.

Does everyone's copy seems to have the opening credits cut short and "fade" straight into the bridge of the Yahata Maru? I actually want to watch this blu ray in sync with the copy I got of Return of Godzilla from UK VHS a while back.

[Goji 84]

[Dr Kain]

Holy subs galore Batman!! Jesus, did they need to sub like every little sign? I don't think I needed Minutes and Seconds translated on the Russian missile timer. Nor did I need subtitles to tell me what the English speaking dialog is when THEY'RE SPEAKING ENGLISH!! lol Nitpick aside, it was great to finally watch this movie subtitled. Although, the only scene I've had a hard time figuring out raw still didn't make sense. Were the siblings pissed at Maki for his journalism or not during the first half? The way they portray their faces they are, but their words make it hard to tell and I thought it was just because I am not fully fluent in Japanese, but even the subtitles didn't help with that one. The movie is still a really good one, an interesting relaunch despite kind of ripping off the original Gamera, but far from the best. It still feels weird to have watched it subbed after 14 years of nothing but the Toho DVD/BD.

[Shokara]

[lhb412]

I'd love to know about those 'other announcements' Kraken teased.

[Benjamin Haines]

[Dr Kain]

[H-Man]

And I am going to buy this release (both DVD and Blu-Ray). It's just a huge disappointment for me because I already have fanmade copies that are superior. It doesn't measure up to even the earlier Kraken releases.

[lhb412]

^ That's because the earlier Kraken releases used the superior transfers Sony did in the '00s. The Return of Godzilla didn't have that luxury.

[H-Man]

Right, but those also offered the original theatrical audio tracks as well. There is no original audio option on The Return of Godzilla. You have the choice between Toho's 5.1 remix from circa 2002 or a brand new (and unnecessary) 5.1 remix of the mono English dub. That's typically a deal breaker for me; the theatrical mix should be as "sacred" as presenting the film in its OAR, IMO.

[Goji 84]

[Benjamin Haines]

[O.Supreme]

[Dr Kain]

[Benjamin Haines]

[O.Supreme]

Sure I get that for younger fans, but for older fans such as myself. I had seen pretty much every showa film on TV (except DAM..I had to try for years to try and track that down)...and when ADV finally released their VHS in 1999, I was disappointed. Though I had heard the Toho international dub as it had started playing on sci-fi channel a couple years prior to this...I was really hoping the VHS release would be the AIP dub...and of course every subsequent release was kind of a let down.

Sure I have them all, on VHS, DVD, and now Blu-Ray. But is it because I have lived so long, and just want the dubs I grew up with, that I am spoiled? --Believe me, I'm not taking anything away from the younger fans, I'm glad they are excited, and they should be. I am glad Kraken is releasing these films, and hope they keep doing so, because I'll keep purchasing them. But I just hope that my minimal enthusiasm, compared to a younger fans extreme enthusiasm isn't construed as being spoiled just because a release doesn't offer something I just happen to be old enough to remember fondly.

[Benjamin Haines]

[Goji 84]

[Henry88]

so how dose Kraken's bluray compare to the MonsterHD print ?

[MechaMinya]

I just finished watching this Blu-ray. Sure, there are some issues with the transfer but its still a very entertaining film. I had forgotten how entertaining! Yes, there is some more than questionable acting turns from the American and Russians but the narrative concepts work for me. I even like the music and the song!

It seems to me that this is the perfect film to screen before seeing SHIN GODZILLA. The scene toward the end of ROG with the Japanese PM getting emotional while the music swells makes me think that this is what SHIN GODZILLA might be going for.

Regardless, I am so very happy to have this Blu-ray on my shelf.

Thank you, Kraken, for gambling on Godzilla fandom to purchase and support your efforts!

[Dr Kain]

[Phil Moskowitz]

[DannyBeane]

[Henry88]

i am asking about the picture quality how do the two compare side by side. ?

[canofhumdingers]

thats hard to answer because the only commonly available versions of the MonstersHD transfer (not print) are compressed and down scaled to standard definition with some technical glitches. supposedly there's at least one fan who has a full resolution 1080i copy of the MonstersHD broadcast, but they haven't and won't be sharing it.