So it was a surprise for me in liking Godzilla: Final Wars, even though I had a positive attitude before seeing it. I didn't want to make an opinion about the movie before seeing it. But I do admit, my excitement was high prior to my first viewing.
But there's something more to this movie than what was seen in the movies shown during the '70s.
To me, if you try to compare GFW to the other movies in the series, you'll come up empty handed - since GFW is a different type of Godzilla film. It was not intended to be the perfect 50th anniversary film we all envisioned (I don't know if any of you will deny it or not, but we all had our own idea on what Godzilla's 50th anniversary film would look like) - it was meant to be fun.
Personally, I didn't want a 'fun' 50th anniversary film. I wanted one dedicated to Godzilla's roots: The horrors of nuclear war. But just because I didn't get it, doesn't mean I don't understand why GFW was made the way it was. In the eyes of Kitamura, it's exactly what Godzilla is all about. I'm fine with that, since I agree with him to a degree: these films aren't fooling anyone in making them believe this should all be taken seriously. This film was meant to be directed to a large crowd - not just G-fans, but movie fans period.
Don't say the only reason of why people are giving this movie a thumbs up is because they don't want to say a Godzilla film was bad. I bet they can find a 'bad' Godzilla movie, and would freely tell any of you if asked. Let's not forget, these are people who are in the vast minority. They like Godzilla films. The majority of people do not. How many times has someone chuckled when you told them you liked Godzilla? What happened afterwards? Most of us would defend Godzilla, right? Then I guess, by using the above analogy that started this paragraph, they're just defending Godzilla, because they don't want to admit that he sucks, huh? I guess Godzilla sucks, because the fans don't want to admit it.
I had a good time when I watched this movie alone. I had a wonderful time when I watched it with a large crowd. I consider movies an art. The style Kitamura utilized in GFW is not my own. It was not what I wanted. So yeah, I do disagree with those who just go to see a movie in order to be entertained, while considering movies not an art form at the same time. But I am a type of person who can like different things. Movies are an art form, but they can also entertain the viewers, and let them forget about reality for a few hours. (And also have different opinions, of course...)
That's exactly what Godzilla: Final Wars did for me. It tested me, asking me if I truly loved being a Godzilla fan. It showed me a variety of reasons of why I like Godzilla, what he's all about. It didn't show Godzilla's true symbolism, it didn't show what I would do if I made the movie, but it entertained me a great deal, because when the credits came up, I was proud to realize that I will never stop being a Godzilla fan.
...And seeing GINO (Zilla) getting beaten up was worth it, too.
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