TALKBACK #3: King Kong vs. Godzilla

[king_ghidorah]

[jellydonut25]

[kpa]

[SciFi Geek]

I'd say it's the best of the 1960s Godzilla movies! Even greater than Mothra vs. Godzilla or the Ghidrah movies!

[kent]

[jellydonut25]

Ive been wanting to post this since I watched Monster Zero, but after finishing up watching the 60s/golden age movies (gojira, gra, mvg, ghidrah, mz and this) KKvG is one of my least favorite of them all (possibly my least favorite as the now readily available Japanese version of GRA is a good solid film as well)...and I consider it a good solid movie, which I think speaks VOLUMES for how good the first 6 godzilla movies really were

[fools-gold64]

Easily one of my favorite G movies. The Japanese version, of course. Thanks to a DVD of questionable legality, I'll never have to worry about watching the American version, which I happily haven't done in a VERY long time. The movie isn't perfect, but it's worth it to see the two mightiest monsters of all time slug it out. The human story is fun and funny too, and the whole thing sets up the template for Mothra vs Godzilla, which of course perfected the formula.

Impossible or not, I'd KILL for Kong and Godzilla to have a cinematic rematch.

[Tyler E. Martin]

I just watched the American version of this the whole way through for the first time in well over ten years, and was reminded why I hadn't watched it since I obtained a subtitled copy of the original. While from a pacing standpoint it's arguably an improvement, the overall quality of the film is severely compromised. Most of the alterations made for the U.S. release are just...well, stupid.

That being said, the Japanese cut is quite enjoyable, though as I said, it seems to get bogged down from time to time in terms of pacing. The Kong suit does leave a lot to be desired as well. However, I love the comical approach taken with both the human characters and the monsters. I can understand why it would turn some people off, but it's a joy for me to see Kong scratching his head or getting upset about his scorched fur and Godzilla bobbing up and down and clacking his claws together. The way Ifukube's thunderous score offsets the obviously humorous tone of the film is interesting. As for the effects, it's easy to overlook the quality of the vast majority of them when looking at the Kong suit or the admittedly poor composites, but I find most of them to be quite well-done.

And Ichiro Arishima is magnificent as Tako. "Doesn't that infringe Kong's rights?!"

[The Dark Uniter]

I saw the Japanese cut of King Kong vs Godzilla on youtube before it was removed. Its not one of my favorite Godzilla films or Showa Film. I felt the pace was very slow, some of the stop motion animation look rush, in a wide shot, you see King Kong and Godzilla bouncing up and down because they're puppets. On the plus side, I did like the King Kong score, its the first time we see King Kong and Godzilla in color and its fan dream come true that Godzilla and King Kong are fighting each other.

[jellydonut25]

[TXKaiju]

[Legion]

[TXKaiju]

[The Giant Pacific Octopus]

[zekend01]

Phew dude.

Though knowledgeable response-wise, as a Goji addict I must grant you the Price Is Right Fail Horns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A

[TXKaiju]

[lhb412]

After years of wanting to I finally saw the Japanese version of King Kong vs. Godzilla. I wasn't dissapointed (though I still think the following three films are superior).

The biggest difference in tone seems to me to be the opening. In the Japanese version you're imediately given all this televsion parody stuff and it sets the tone for what is not a serious movie. All the bickering the main charcters (and side characters) get into over just who's stronger, Kong or Godzilla, was a highlight for me.

And Ifikube's score? Magnificent!

[Legion]

I really like Ifukube's score (although it's my least favorite of his '60s Godzilla scores), the Godzilla suit is cool and I really appreciate the Japanese version of the film for what it is.

But for some reason I really can't get into King Kong vs Godzilla. Something about it doesn't engage me. Maybe it's the godawful Kong suit, or the sometimes very poor special effects or quite likely the fact that I've never seen a subtitled version of the Japanese print. Or maybe it's because every copy of the Japanese version I've seen looks like ass. Who knows. But I just prefer the three films that follow by a wide margin.

[jellydonut25]

Full review for KKv.G is up and running! Check it out

[king_ghidorah]

[MouthForWar]

[jellydonut25]

[zekend01]

[OtiGoji]

[zekend01]