TALKBACK #24: Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

[jamaal7]

I have a couple of more thoughts about GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRUS (I love the way this title looks, by the way, with the "X"):

I would put purposeful pauses, for reasons of suspense, between the appearances of the Meganulon and the Meganula. You would not see one evolving into the other (except maybe in a flashback). During 'the pause,' Tokyo's beleaguered, attack-weary citizens begin to think that it's over; the menace has passed. Then, out of no where, the 5 meter (16.5 feet) Meganula begin their onslaught. And it would be brutal.

As for their energizing of Megaguirus, I would have added some tighter shots to let the audience, now scared out of their wits, with a 'what's next' frame of mind, get a closer look of what's ahead.

As for Godzilla, I would have started with a massive confrontation between him and the JSDF in Tokyo Bay, not some hide-and-seek skirmish featuring bazookas. The attack in the bay would alternate POV-wise, between shots of Godzilla-some of them close up-and the results of the use of his heat weapon. The last thing you would hear would be his famous roar against the visual of a completely devastated military.

[jamaal7]

More on GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRUS: as for the implied political corruption tied to the secret use of plasma energy, I would like to have seen more exposition involving some of the main characters, particularly Prof. Yoshino Yoshizawa as portrayed by Yuriko Hoshi. To have her involved in the cover up regarding this banned energy source would be intriguing. This 'other side' of her character would be a nice counterpoint to the public persona of the dedicated, patriotic scientist. The idea would be leaving the audience not really knowing who to trust.

I would remove the kaiju high jinks, like the Great Pounce (Godzilla falling from way up in the air), the Head Shake (and its attendant sound effect) and any other silliness. I understand the idea of infusing GXM with a manga-like quality (as stated by SPFX Director Kenji Suzuki in Fangoria). But, that doesn't require making a giant monster film, which by its nature should be filled with peril, into a story where the titular kaiju are distinguished by camp.

Obviously, I would fix the SPFX regarding Megaguirus' flying.The idea of her wing movement, at high speed, resulting in power outages could have been explored in the form of a night time fight to the death between the Hyper Dragon Fly and the King of the Monsters in a blacked out Tokyo. The imagery of two, gigantic silhouettes leveling large sections of this great metropolis would shocking and arresting.

I feel that a kind desperation could have permeated GXM, driving it into areas of horror, dark humor, shocking political corruption and intrigue and scary monster visages.

A film like this, with this kind of imagery and suspense would be great to see at midnight.

[jamaal7]

One more thing: I would lose the subtitle, "G Extermination Command."

Godzilla X Megaguirus would be enough as a title as it would be in line with the general idea of purposefully leaving some things unexplained.

[armandv]

I saw a news item where it appears that "life is imitating art."

[The Real McCoy]

Godzilla X Megaguirus was a pretty boring movie for me. For me, this movie is living proof that boring human characters can almost ruin a movie. They all seem pretty much like cardboard cutouts to me. The monster action wasn't great, but it wasn't awful either. I don't dislike this one as much as Final Wars.

[king_ghidorah]

[The Real McCoy]

[king_ghidorah]

[The Real McCoy]

[king_ghidorah]

[MouthForWar]

[Gojilove]

[Legion]

[MekaGojira3k]

[kiryugoji04]

[The Real McCoy]

[kiryugoji04]

[MekaGojira3k]

[The Real McCoy]

[MouthForWar]

[Reaper G]

[king_ghidorah]

[The Real McCoy]

I wish Jean Reno would have had a bigger part in that movie. He equals Don Frye in badassery.

[king_ghidorah]

[jellydonut25]