Got my copy the other day. What a HUGE disappointment. This is supposed to be a hi-def format release?!? The video quality is about on par with your average dollar store DVD. Those raving about this are watching through rose-colored glasses. Check out Kraken's other releases for hi-def transfers that look GREAT - and those movies are 10-15 years older than G'84. Regardless of where Kraken got their source print - it blows. Focus is more often than not rather soft, with the exception of handful of shots. The colors are washed out looking and there are minor scratches and so forth throughout. Sorry for those gushing about this, but while it is nice to have a missing piece of the G-release puzzle, this was an extremely under-whelming offering.
The movie itself is a tedious ho-hum affair. It's more about the sailor, his sister, the reporter and the Charles Bronson-esque scientist than Godzilla. The government officials just sit round arguing and frowning... and those two losers representing USSR & USA? I'd forgotten how awful they were, but at least the New World dub made them palatable. This "International" dub is by the same bunch of monotone morons who did the other 70's G-films. Ugh. Lots of "Godziller" & "Godzilly" throughout. The big complaints about how New World 'bastardized" the original version by making the Russians the badguys, etc. is a pretty minor plot point, IMHO. This film benefited tremendously from the trimming New World did for their version if you ask me. I may be in the minority here but I was pretty bummed after watching this. Yes, my only exposure was to the G'85 theatrical release version, but after watching the original Japanese cut (do yourself a favor and skip the terrible dub; watch subbed only) I feel the New World edits were for the better. And Raymond Burr's presence is sorely missed... especially his voice over during the final scene. 3 out of 5 STARS (barely) for the film, 2 out of 5 STARS for the Blu-ray.