Godzilla's real American problem...
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:51 pmIt's obvious that Americans are willing to eat up giant monster action. Cloverfield proved this, as well as The Host to a degree. Godzilla's stateside issues don't necessarily stem from a disinterest in the genre. Done right, any genre film succeeds.
The problem with American acceptance of Japanese Godzilla films (and asian films in general) is a language and cultural barrier. Sounds like pretty big obstacles, right? Well, maybe not.
Recently, American filmmakers have made habit of remaking Japanese horror films with American actors. The Ring and The Grudge are excellent examples of these. In fact, the Grudge was directed by the original Japanese film's director himself! These films were successful and stood well on their own merit.
Of course, Toho invented a means of better relating to their American demographic decades earlier by incorporating American actors into their films.
What am I getting at? Americans hate dubbing and "weird" (ie different) cultures. To get around this, Toho should incorporate some western actors into their productions. GOOD ones. However, unlike with their past attempts, these actors will be presented as main characters. It will be through their perspective and language that western audiences will better relate to the story.
I do not want to see American productions of Godzilla films. What I do, however, want to see is Toho taking strides in attempting to market these films to international audiences. I love Godzilla. I love kaiju films. But Toho has rarely ever attempted to create a production that anyone can honestly say would appeal to a broad audience. Unfortunately, in order for this franchise to survive, it needs to.
Toho actually felt Final Wars was marketable internationally. Love or hate Final Wars, I don't think anyone will argue that it would have gone over well theatrically here. Toho needs to solve this problem if they hope to make Godzilla more than just a laughable camp icon to the majority of Americans.
The problem with American acceptance of Japanese Godzilla films (and asian films in general) is a language and cultural barrier. Sounds like pretty big obstacles, right? Well, maybe not.
Recently, American filmmakers have made habit of remaking Japanese horror films with American actors. The Ring and The Grudge are excellent examples of these. In fact, the Grudge was directed by the original Japanese film's director himself! These films were successful and stood well on their own merit.
Of course, Toho invented a means of better relating to their American demographic decades earlier by incorporating American actors into their films.
What am I getting at? Americans hate dubbing and "weird" (ie different) cultures. To get around this, Toho should incorporate some western actors into their productions. GOOD ones. However, unlike with their past attempts, these actors will be presented as main characters. It will be through their perspective and language that western audiences will better relate to the story.
I do not want to see American productions of Godzilla films. What I do, however, want to see is Toho taking strides in attempting to market these films to international audiences. I love Godzilla. I love kaiju films. But Toho has rarely ever attempted to create a production that anyone can honestly say would appeal to a broad audience. Unfortunately, in order for this franchise to survive, it needs to.
Toho actually felt Final Wars was marketable internationally. Love or hate Final Wars, I don't think anyone will argue that it would have gone over well theatrically here. Toho needs to solve this problem if they hope to make Godzilla more than just a laughable camp icon to the majority of Americans.
