Godzilla 1985 Discussion Thread

[CyHunter]

Well, I just bought a copy of the original G'85, since I haven't seen it in YEARS, back before I was a real fan of Goji, and even then it was the Americanized version.

So, I'm interested in ya know, just talking about it. I remember quite a bit and all, but still...what do you like about it? Hate about it?

[zekend01]

I remember when it came out (I was eleven at the time) I was totally stoked. My then local theater announced over its phone messageing system that it would be showing soon and I just couldn't wait!!! I remember that several sources were playing up the angle that Godzilla was supposed to be nearly all Cybot except for the long shots. Of course as it turned out (thankfully) it was more suit that robot, but my local theater decided not to show the movie at the last minute with no explaination. I couldn't believe it!!! I had been waiting for it since Ackerman's write up of it in "Monsterland".

Well, I had to wait anouther year or two afterwards when it came on T.V.. Again I sat in eager anticipation. I was so worked up that my stomach hurt, I remember!!!

Ultimately I enjoyed the picture. I fully embraced the mature angle that Godzilla was given. This was a complete reversal from the defender of the earth status he was wearing through the 70's (basically, when they showed Godzilla on T.V. when I was growing up, it was G vs Megalon, or vs Mechagodzilla or some such, I read about the "serious Godzilla" in a few books at my school library and this really appealed to me then). I liked the suit in "84/'85 because it looked so evil. I thought the special effects were great, especially the jet fighters that shot faster and more accurate projectiles. I loved seeing him feed on the reactor.

On the other hand, even at eleven or twelve, the whole Dr. Pepper thing kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I also didn't particularlly care for the Super X then. I've since learned to appreciate it, but at the time it looked too silly too me.

Then and now I like the Ramond Burr additions, though he serves no necessary purpose. And then and now I'm still affected by Godzilla's "death" in the film. This movie will always hold a special place for me because it was the first big comeback Godzilla movie for me. I was there to suck up all the media tidbits as they came out and that was a big deal for a little guy with a big Shogun Godzilla. Also this was the last that this westerner even heard about any new Godzilla films until about 1994

[anguirus23]

Agh! Where did you get the original? PM me if you have to!

I'm probably too poor to buy it anyway, lol.

[CyHunter]

[anguirus23]

[CyHunter]

[Trier]

[Severn]

It’s one of my favorite G-Flicks. The JP ’84 version was great comeback for him. I liked the models, the cast and the soundtrack. The suit I didn’t like so much but it was still passable. I really enjoyed this outing. I didn’t care much about the Super X but then again it’s there for a reason and was used very well (I don’t think we needed a SXII and SXIII tho’. Kind like going to the well one too many times). There really isn’t much to say about this movie. It’s a good movie that had a good follow-up in Biollante.

[Giganfan]

[gfanikf]

[Rodanex]

I think Godzilla (1984) is one of the most underrated entries in the series. I absolutely love the music (they should get this composer to do more Godzilla music), and this was one of the few Godzilla movies that scared me as a child. I remember my mom rented this for me back when I was 6 or 7, and I turned it off after the boat scene with the shokilas and all the rotting corpses. Then, about five years later, I saw it at a video store, and decided to see it all the way through. I absolutely loved it, and then when I saw the original Japanese version about five years after that, I was enthralled. Obviously, it has flaws...the Godzilla suit isn't the best, and I'm always tempted to turn the movie off after the Super-X has been destroyed, but this is probably one of the darkest movies in the series, and also has a somewhat realistic depiction of how world governments would react if Godzilla were to reappear. I guess one other flaw is that the scenes of the Japanese, Americans, and Soviets debating seem kind of separate from the rest of the movie.

[Andrew Nguyen]

[Poe Ghostal]

zekend01's story is pretty much identical to mine, so I won't go over it again. I was a bit younger, but otherwise the story is the same.

I also think G'84 is underrated. It's definitely in my top five (along with G'54, Terror of MechaGodzilla, Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster, and GMK). I've just ordered the original Japanese version, and it'll be very interesting to see what the film's like without Burr.

I remember, at the age of six, being very upset when Godzilla falls into the volcano at the end. I also remember another cousin of mine assuring me Godzilla would be fine, that laval wouldn't kill him -- and though it didn't know it for a few years after Godzilla v. Biolllante came out, he was apparently correct.

The dark tone and realistic political depiction -- not to mention the high-quality production values and cinematography -- set G'84 apart from any G film before or since (with the possible exception of GMK-- which, in any event is certainly lighter in tone).

[CyHunter]

Well, having recieved my EXCELLENT copy (Really surprised....I was expecting just a crappy video riip, but it turned out to be identical to the Japanese version (minus the second disc with bonus material ), complete with crystal-clear picture, 5.1 surround sound, and the added bonus of removable english subs! Wow, that's more than almost any legit companie's been able to scrounge up.

Anyway, enough promoting illegal activities, as for the movie itself, I enjoyed the Japanese version a lot more than I did the American version (which I saw, oh geeze, must've been about 6 years ago).

My only problem with it, story-wise, was that Godzilla didn't carry the movie. I mean, in a movie like GxMG, Godzilla doesn't have to carry the movie because it's Kiryu's film. But GMK definitely has Godzilla carry the movie, with the Guardians acting as just glorified magical tanks for all intents and purposes. Godzilla in that film is a threat that instills fear, anger, and commands awe.

However, G'85 Goji doesn't really do this for me: He comes off as just a big dumb aimless lizard, and even though he destroys buildings I never really felt afraid of him. Again, this is okay when there's a lot of monsters, but when Godzilla alone must carry the movie, it's...eh.

Other than that, though, I liked it a lot. The characters were pretty interesting and the only other things that bugged me were that A) even though Toho seemed to be going for a "realisitic" slant with all the international politics stuff, they kinda ruin this by suddenly having the de-militarized Japan have MASER TANKS and a CADMIUM-MISSILE HOVERCRAFT (Does that really constitute part of the JSDF? ), and B) Nobody seems to bother asking where in the hell a new Godzilla came from.

Still, the music was great, the atmosphere was good, and some stunning sequences such as Godzilla's entrance (gotta love the scene with the security guard, or that long flying shot through the smoke from Goji's POV, looking down at the power plant). :th-up:

Oh, and and the girl who plays Naoki gives Yumiko Shaku a run for her money in the "cutest G-Girl ever" department.

[Trier]

[StarhunterNebulaM]

[CyHunter]

Not in the Japanese version...again, the only real flaw I found with the movie was a certain lack of drama or weight on the part of Godzilla...oh well

Here's my revised list of Hesei movies:

1. Godzilla vs. Destroyer
2. Godzilla vs. Biollante
3. Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla
4. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla 1993
5. Godzilla 1985: The Return of Godzilla
6. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
7. Godzilla vs. Mothra 1992: The Battle For the Earth

[briizilla]

[Stadawim]

[briizilla]

[LawyerDestroyah]

Godzilla 85 really holds a special place in my heart. Its the very first Godzilla film I ever saw! I must have been around 6-7, and caught the film on its TV premier. I remember little about how I knew it was going to be on, but I'll never forget watching it and seeing Godzilla for the first time anywhere. I've been a fan ever since. And (surely a testament to the effectivness of product placement) I've also been a fan of the Dr.Pepper brand ever since. I've still got the VHS tape my dad and I recorded the movie on that night (complete with Dr. Pepper Godzilla and his girlfriend).

[anguirus23]

[Poe Ghostal]

[briizilla]

[Joseph Goodman]