Ranking the Heisei Films

[jellydonut25]

[Ghido-Goji]

I don't particularly dislike any of the movies, but some I enjoy watching some more than others.

1.) Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
2.) Godzilla vs. Destroyah
3.) Godzilla vs. Biollante
4.) Godzilla 1985
5.) Godzilla vs. Mothra
6.) Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II
7.) Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

[kent]

[Mac]

Godzilla 1984 - Holy "OH GODZILLA! WHAT TERRIBLE LANGUAGE!", what a snoozer. The only thing that has improved over repeated viewings is the score by Reijiro Koroku. The serious tone of the film is negated by the laughable boat investigation and any scene involving that annoying hobo. None of the main characters are interesting at all, and I was tempted to fast forward to the Godzilla bits. I’m glad I didn’t because those are terrible too. Godzilla does little more than sleep walk the whole film. The movie reeks of 80s Japanese cheese, whether it is stale directing, bland miniatures, or that stupid song at the end of the film. Oh, and don’t even get me started on how the film tries to build up sympathy for Godzilla by the time he trips in the volcano. 4/10

Godzilla vs Biollante – I remember loving the music score to this film as a kid. Now I’m sorely embarrassed. The soundtrack to this film is probably the cheesiest of any Godzilla film. Other than that, the film holds up pretty well. I especially enjoy the confrontation between X2 and Godzilla out at sea. At this point in the series nothing like that had been tried before, so it was genuinely refreshing. Biollante was neat and original too (Even though she was based off an Ultraman monster). It’s a shame Toho couldn’t come up with some new monsters for their later efforts, because I never want to see Mothra again. 8/10

Godzilla vs King Ghidorah – Putting aside the convoluted timeline, this film is genuinely good. The men from the future were an interesting take on the “Invading Aliensâ€

[G2KMaster]

G84 - 9/10
G89 - 9/10
Gvs.KG - 6.5/10
Gvs.M - 5/10
Gvs.MG - 8/10
Gvs.SG - 6/10
Gvs.D - 9/10

[Rodanex]

From best to worst:

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Godzilla '84
Godzilla vs. Destroyer
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Godzilla vs. Mothra
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

[KaiserGhidorah]

[Drax]

Finally, I've seen them all, except The Return of Godzilla, but it may be years before I get to see that, so I'll just give my ranking now. I've always loved how these were all interconnected after the craziness of the Showa films. They had to try something more linear and involving, and for that, it could be looked upon as the "Godzilla Saga" of sorts.

1. Godzilla vs. Destroyah - I've never seen a monster movie so emotionally involving with the monsters themselves. I like how by this point, it's been established that Godzilla is a character with pathos but his role as an indestructible force of nature isn't lessened or cheapened. It has flaws, but it's my favourite finale film of all time.
2. Godzilla vs. Biollante - at least they were being original, and it has that 80's whimsy that I'm really partial to. The Godzilla suit never looked better, thanks to trick lighting and photography that unfortunately, they never bothered with again.
3. Godzilla 1985 - I've only seen the Raymond Burr version, but the new and modern look brings Godzilla into the cyber-tech real world of the 80's Cold War era, and even the score reflects that.
4. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla - I remember when everyone loved this one, but I guess it hasn't aged well for many fans. I like its militaristic tone, and it's the point where Godzilla takes the anti-hero survivalist role. He's a flexible character, ain't he?
5. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla - I know it's easy to pick on this one because it's obviously the weakest with some serious editorial problems and the goofiest special effects imaginable for a film a part of a series that was meant to be modern and gritty, but since it's sandwiched in between two rather dark G-films, its presence as a more light-hearted entry is appreciated. Even Hattori's score has grown on me after listening to the 2-disc set. Don't you just love how they did it again, Godzilla goes from a destructive terror of the nuclear age in G'85 to heart-warming family lizard in this - he tends to mellow with age.
6. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah - I remember being disappointed that after all the work going into modernizing the franchise, it just went back to Showa Era silliness (don't get me wrong, I like almost everything Showa up to Destroy All Monsters, and the MG movies of '74 and '75), but I can still watch it and have fun with its plot twists and far-fetched explanation for the origin of the Heisei-G.
7. Godzilla vs. Mothra - I really hate putting it down the bottom because I still enjoy it a great deal. Ifukube's score is absolutely grand, and the Mothra/Battra mythology aspect gives the Heisei series a bit of mysticism without getting too stupid, but come on, Godzilla isn't even in this for very long!

[Jim Ballard]

[kiryugoji04]

[TXKaiju]

[heroforhirerob]

[Jim Ballard]

[the_candidate]

1. Godzilla vs. Biollante- brilliant script, best visuals in a Godzilla film; poetic imagery, serious tone
2. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah- starts off campy, then it's just non-stop rock and roll with the best fight scenes in the franchise
3. Godzilla vs. Destroyer- darkest in the series since the 1954 film, a great farewell to Godzilla
4. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla- good plot, lots of action, the life vs. artificial life theme works for me
5. Godzilla vs. Mothra- fun, but not enough Godzilla
6. The Return of Godzilla- very tedious and poorly edited, but I like the dark visuals
7. Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla- a mess, but some great scenes to be sure

[Dr Kain]

I summon the Resurrection Card!!

1. Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla
1. Godzilla vs Biollante
3. Godzilla vs Destoroyah
4. Godzilla vs King Ghidorah
5. Godzilla vs Mothra
6. Godzilla 84
7. Godzilla vs Space Godzilla

No, I did not typo 1 twice. Both movies are tied for my favorite of the Heisei series. Whenever I seem to watch the Heisei series, these two always flip flop on me based on my mood when I watch the movie. Biollante has some of the better effects with a great battle at the end, but MechaG has the better score and is full of monster action.

[H-Man]

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla vs. Mothra (Yep)
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
Godzilla (1984)
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

[Russzilla]

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Godzilla vs. Biollante
Godzilla '84
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
Godzilla vs. Destroyah
Godzilla vs. Mothra
Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla

[MekaGojira3k]

My list is atrocious, it needs to be redone. (Mostly in that vs. Mothra wasn't on the bottom)
1. Godzilla vs. Biollante (1984)
2. Godzilla (1984)
3. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1993)
4. Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995)
5. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
6. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
7. Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

Yeah. Much better.

[Psycho Soldier]

[Tomzilla]

I love the Heisei films. For all their faults, they're still enjoyable even after all these years. So even if, say, Godzilla vs. Mothra is at the bottom of my list, that doesn't mean I think its leagues behind the film in the top spot.

1) Godzilla vs. Biollante

It's easily one of the most innovative films in the franchise. So many creative liberties were taken to make the atmosphere of this film unique. The monsters have arguably never been better. I currently think this is Godzilla at his best, in terms of design and execution. Biollante is one of the most original monsters I've ever seen, rivaled only by Legion and Iris from the Heisei Gamera series. There are several subplots that keep the film fresh and entertaining. The musical score is one of my favorites. It strikes the perfect balance of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure. The human characters aren't boring, either. That's a rarity in this genre. The visual effects perfectly capture the feel of the '80s, which has almost become a lost art form nowadays. There's so many more reasons why Godzilla vs. Biollante is an amazing film.

2) The Return of Godzilla

Godzilla 1985 was the first Godzilla film I ever watched. In fact, it's one of the first films I ever saw. I remember how watching it I thought there really was a giant, fire breathing dinosaur leveling a city. That not only served as my indoctrination into the genre, it set the bar high. There are only a few other kaiju films that have made me feel the same way. Now after all these years, it's still my favorite Godzilla film. I love Godzilla's portrayal, I love how he was presented as a living nuclear threat, one that could attack and destroy everything without provocation. The humans aren't boring, in fact I find them to be relatable. I especially love the musical score. It's so different from what we're used to yet it perfectly captures what it is that makes Godzilla the King of the Monsters. A few years ago, I showed the opening to my film school classmates. To say it impressed them would be an understatement. I'm now compelled to go watch this film. Here's hoping we get a North American Blu-ray release!

3) Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

When I was young, I remember watching news reports about Godzilla. I was stunned, because why would the news be reporting on Godzilla? Ironic, given how I used to think Godzilla was real, and the news was reporting his attacks all the time (see above). No, what made these news reports serious were the headlines: Godzilla dies. Man, I was devastated. Godzilla was my hero, my favorite character of all time. I didn't take it well. Years later, the film was finally released, and I enjoyed it. I felt it was a befitting end to the Godzilla legacy, bringing the character and the series full circle. Destoroyah is one of the most fearsome, sadistic monsters I've ever seen. Godzilla, too, was scary; Godzilla was a ticking time bomb, and it showed. There's more I'd like to say, but it's Godzilla's death that sold it. The ending remains one of the best kaiju film endings ever, as it is both sad and hopeful for the future.

4) Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II

Godzilla. Rodan. MechaGodzilla. 'Nuff said, right?! This film tends to switch a lot with the next film on my list.

5) Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

King Ghidorah returns in my favorite design for the character. This film, as others have pointed out, has it all! I see it as a celebration of the science fiction genre. It has one of my favorite Godzilla moments; Godzilla's reunion with Shindo, which is emotional on so many levels.

6) Godzilla vs. Mothra

Hey, look! It's Indiana Jones! Oh, wait. Part of the problem with this film is it tries to be everything. Unlike Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, which tried to be many things and succeeded, this film doesn't quite make it. It is still entertaining to say the least. Battra needs to return someday.

7) Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla

For what it's worth, it has a few breathtaking scenes, which are quickly marred by its more infamous sequences. Hey, at least the score is nice! And SpaceGodzilla is in it. I love SpaceGodzilla.

[Hybrid Gojira]

1. Godzilla vs. Biollante (1984)
2. Godzilla (1984)
3. Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995)
4. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1993)
5. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991)
6. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
7. Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992)

Honestly, Mothra and SG go back and forth for me for the worst Heisei film. Battra was cool and I always thought SpaceGodzilla was a great concept but suffered from ridiculous sub-plots and a BORING final fight.

[klen7]

I've never tried ranking these since normally i would take any Showa or Millennium film over Heisei... so my opinion probably counts for less here than it normally does...

1) Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla
2) Godzilla vs Destoroyah
3) Godzilla Vs. King Ghidorah
4) Godzilla vs. Mothra - (Battra really bumps this movie up for me)
5) Godzilla vs. Biollante - (I love the monster and the effects, but i tend to fall asleep on this one)
6) Godzilla 1985 - (again, commits the crime of being boring with a lame ending)
7) Godzilla vs Space Godzilla - (agghhk.. what a mess.)

Really i could say the top 3 are about even, and 4-6 are also interchangeable among their rankings, but Space Godzilla is firmly at the bottom

[Dr Kain]

[MekaGojira3k]

[Dr Kain]