One of my favorite top 3 Godzilla movies of all time ever. It holds up well to repeated viewings for me, and it's one of the G movies I show to my non-g-fan friends.
This is just one EPIC Godzilla movie. I don't mind the multitude of characters at all! It's really neat to watch them deal with all the situations as they unfold. This movie has conflicting ideologies that work quite well in the context of this movie, and the issues of terrorism and genetic engineering still holds up more than ever. Most of the characters that move the plot along aren't just simple good/bad black/white types, and the true villains have some sass to them (the Bio-Major terrorists come to mind, love those guys). Gondo's a scene stealer, and a pleasure to watch every time, a man's man.
I wish the psychic plot line had more fruit to bare as the series went on. Seems like it peeked pretty early with this movie. I still get chills when those psychic kids all hold up their pictures of Godzilla, who they dreamed would be soon returning from the night before. Just the look on Asuka Okouchi's face as the realization fell it to place!! MAAAAAAAN! The music kicks in and I'm swimming in anticipation!
The monsters were fan-tabulous in design. Godzilla was especially well performed, though I prefer his more polished look in the following movie. Biollante, while beautiful, didn't quite fulfill her
true potential. The vines didn't always convince me, and her biting down on Godzilla got harder to look at after repeated viewings. Guess I wish it didn't look quite so rigid!
The only other thing I could grumble about was Erica's spectral face appearing as Biolante dissolved. Very kitschy looking.
BUT WHAT AM I GRIPING ON ABOUT?!? If Godzilla 1984 had atmosphere, this one had scope and urgency. The ultimate Us against HIM Godzilla movie. The script totally sold me on the whole "building dread" thing as the characters reacted to the inevitable return of Godzilla.
But it was a nice balance in these characters that never let this movie get too
DARK. Their worry coupled with their humanity, seen through their frailty and resolve and ego. Very satisfying. It amazes me when folks see these characters as one dimensional. Is it just the dubbing? I dunno....
So all in all, F' YEAH!!! to this gem. Just wish it would/could make it to DVD at some point in the same format as the awesome media blasters releases.
Here's to hoping.