Viewing Thread #69: Back to Basics

[Alpha OTS]

Kind of spent the day with the Classic Media dvd of Raids Again. I had it on in the background as I went about my daily routine. First time was with the commentary, second time was the American version. Then I went through the extras and watched the little biography of the suit actors, which has some great information and still images. Finally I sat and properly watched the Japanese version earlier this evening.

The American version is awful. Not sure if it should be renamed: "Stock Footage Raids Again" or "The Narrator Raids Again" The commentary really takes the American version to task for narrating EVERYTHING. To say the Japanese version is subtle in comparison is an understatement. My opinion of the Japanese version seems to improve too each time I see it, whereas the opposite happens for the American version.

The American version really dumbs down Kobayashi to the point that he's kind of unlikeable. His sacrifice has a modicum of sense in the Japanese version at least as there's a line uttered about keeping Godzilla from going out to sea that you can then rationalize Kobayashi buzzing Godzilla, but in the American version its all but removed and you're left thinking the guy's a moron who was too stupid to leave the battlefield once the air force showed up.

There's a couple things I like about the film.


The perspective and special effect shots are really nice. The shot above is one which the commentary drew to my attention. Its easy to overlook the pilots scurrying below. The city destruction is also done very well.


The monster battle is pretty ferocious as each opponent keeps going for the other's jugular. I especially love the scene of the pause they take to catch their breaths, sizing each other up, before going at it again. Its a shame the fast motion's there, as I think this would rank up as a favorite battle for me otherwise. I also really like that Godzilla's to be feared and the approach to dealing with him is very practical throughout the movie right up to and including the end.

This is a piece of Showa that I do seem to appreciate more each time I see it.

[Henry88]