Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

See, I was just young enough when I saw all of the Heisei movies, that they left an impression on me. Yeah, they aren't the best-made movies, but I think the primary aim was to entertain audiences, and to re-establish Godzilla as a cultural icon. And on that note, I think they succeeded. Despite the fact that GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH is the best movie of the Heisei series, Takao Okawara really was the best director of that particular era.

I voted for GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA as well. I just watched it recently, and even though it does feel a little bit dated, I still believe it to be one of the best Godzilla movies ever made. The story is pretty basic, and it just flies at its own, breezy pace. And it's got some great characters too. Masahiro Takashima plays the pteronadon-loving Aoki as a very quirky, yet down-to-earth kinda guy, worthy of his father's best roles. Ryoko Sano as Gojo, the surrogate mother of Baby Godzilla is very warm and caring. The scenes between her and Baby are touching, and add a whole new dimension to the picture. And on top of all this, you have the usual traits that make a fine Godzilla movie; wonderful Ifukube score, great effects by Kawakita and exciting kaiju battles (Godzilla and Rodan on Adondoa Island is a tour-de-force on Kawakita's part). Yeah, this film is just peachy.

I voted for G2K.

Neat visual style
New monster
Lizard-y Godzilla design
Fun plot
Memorable characters

Definetely his best IMO. The Hesei movies, after the dark and cool G985 & Bio, and the fun G vs. KG, became rather bland for my tastes.

You know, after having seen it again recently, I've developed a much better opinion of Godzilla 2000 Millennium. I used to think it was one of the worst, but now it's probably my favorite of the Millennium series. Here, Okawara gets a chance to direct a script with a little more meat on it than his other Godzilla movies. The characters have to be some of the best in the entire series, and he gets the best possible performances out of his actors. The opening moments where Godzilla is terrorizing the man in the lighthouse, the GPN encountering him at the end of the tunnel, and his advance on Nemuro all combine to make a tour-de-force directing job by Okawara (though some of the editing is a bit discontinuous). He creates an atmosphere that unlike Masaaki Tezuka's movies, stays there throughout the entire picture. It's not as entertaining as Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, but Godzilla 2000 Millennium has become a strong contender these days, atleast in my opinion.

Critically best - Godzilla vs. Destroyer (gets my vote)

My personal favorite - Godzilla 2000 (my favorite Godzilla movie)

If I feel like it later I'll go into full analyses of comparing the four films.

Heartening to see G2k get so many votes! Not my favorite, but there seemed to had been a huge backlash against it the last few years, as if we had all forgotten what a great rebuttle it was to GINO and the great human cast.

Well considering I think G2K is the best millenium movie I am going to go with that one. Few Glaringly bad spfx, great story, characters, Orga is a sweet monster and I love the Godzilla suit design.

I think the problem that most people have with the Heisei movies is that, in fact, they weren't built to last. Even I can understand that. Godzilla vs. Biollante and Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, it seems, are the only two that have endured, while everything else seems to have become dated, despite the fact that there are some good ones in there. The way I see it, the Heisei Godzilla movies were made to satisfy the audiences of that time, and keep the money rolling in, because in the 90s, Godzilla did enjoy a great resurrection. Japanese audiences didn't seem to be all that sick of him, as they are now, based on box-office numbers. "Give the people what they want," and one that note, the Heisei series succeeded. And Takao Okawara was the best man for the job in that department.