Newer Godzilla films.

[RedKing]

GMK is pretty good and a definite fan favorite. I thought it was OK-the FX are quite good and I liked the ruthless evil Godzilla, but I didn't like Mothra's design or powers(stingers? from a moth?) and Ghidorah didn't work as a good guy for me. To me it was like having the Joker or Dr Doom suddenly become good. None of the Millenium films except for Godzilla against Mechagodzilla and Tokyo SOS have any continuity to each other by the way. Kind of odd I thought, but it worked for the most part. As for Destoroyah I forgot to mention how much I like Ken Satsuma's performance as Godzilla in the movie, especially at the end when he finds Junior dying, Godzilla's sorrow and rage really come through.There's also a funny story about why Toho's official spelling for Destoroyah is that way instead of Destroyer as it is pronounced-they were unable to copyright the name Destroyer, so they changed the spelling!

[LaettnersLegacy]

simple formula:

made in Japan-watch
made in USA-avoid!

[Dr Spankenstein]

GMK is pretty good and a definite fan favorite. I thought it was OK-the FX are quite good and I liked the ruthless evil Godzilla, but I didn't like Mothra's design or powers(stingers? from a moth?) and Ghidorah didn't work as a good guy for me. To me it was like having the Joker or Dr Doom suddenly become good. None of the Millenium films except for Godzilla against Mechagodzilla and Tokyo SOS have any continuity to each other by the way. Kind of odd I thought, but it worked for the most part. As for Destoroyah I forgot to mention how much I like Ken Satsuma's performance as Godzilla in the movie, especially at the end when he finds Junior dying, Godzilla's sorrow and rage really come through.There's also a funny story about why Toho's official spelling for Destoroyah is that way instead of Destroyer as it is pronounced-they were unable to copyright the name Destroyer, so they changed the spelling!

Thanks for clearing that up for me

[Dr Spankenstein]

Recently watched Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla Against Mechgodzilla.  Enjoyed both of them very much.   While watching Godzilla destroy Toyko, again, I thought "instead of the Japanese building Toyko back up, why don't they build it down, and build the city under ground, that way Godzilla can't destroy it!"  I guess I'm smarter than the Japanese government.

[Count_Zirock]

And then the Japanese become The Mole People!

[twilitezoner]

Maybe its me but watching some of the newer Godzilla movies on cable I swear the special effects were better in the original films.

[Dr Spankenstein]

And then the Japanese become The Mole People!

Godzilla vs The Mole People! 

[RedKing]

Maybe its me but watching some of the newer Godzilla movies on cable I swear the special effects were better in the original films.

I would definitely agree that is true in most of the 90s films.

[Dr Spankenstein]

I would definitely agree that is true in most of the 90s films.

I haven't seen all of the 90s movies yet, but the handful I did see had fine special effects.  Now, I did watch the Cinemassacre Godzillathon youtube videos and the guy did point out that in a lot of the movies, you can see the wear on the Godzilla costume and it some scenes where monsters are flying, their legs or wings aren't even moving, as if the effects crew just attached a string to them and moved them around in the air. 

The effects in the Millenium series are pretty good though. 

[king_ghidorah]

I haven't seen all of the 90s movies yet, but the handful I did see had fine special effects.  Now, I did watch the Cinemassacre Godzillathon youtube videos and the guy did point out that in a lot of the movies, you can see the wear on the Godzilla costume and it some scenes where monsters are flying, their legs or wings aren't even moving, as if the effects crew just attached a string to them and moved them around in the air. 

The effects in the Millenium series are pretty good though.

The effects and the suits look great in the Millenium series but the films are crap as are most of the Hesei era films.  GMK (2001/02) is probably the last "good" Godzilla film.  Before that it was 89 with Godzilla vs. Biollante. 

Remember ghouls and gals...don't forget to watch some Gamera films too 

[Dr Spankenstein]

The effects and the suits look great in the Millenium series but the films are crap as are most of the Hesei era films.  GMK (2001/02) is probably the last "good" Godzilla film.  Before that it was 89 with Godzilla vs. Biollante. 

Remember ghouls and gals...don't forget to watch some Gamera films too 

Actually, GMK was probably my least favorite of the newer ones.  I enjoyed GMK but I thought Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla were better films.  Tokyo SOS just arrived from Netflix so I'll watch that within the next couple days.  And because Biollante isn't commercially available on DVD, I'm trying to find a good torrent copy of it, eveything I get so far is either all Japanese with no subs, or a poor English VHS rip (hopefully this will get a proper DVD/blu ray release soon).  Almost all the Godzilla movies are available on Netflix so I've been watching them there, just trying to get my hands on a good quality version of Biollante.

And I have the Gamera trilogy on blu ray and it's very good.  I haven't seen the original ones, but they're also in the Netflix queue. 

[king_ghidorah]

Godzilla vs. Biollante is coming to dvd/blu ray later this year, just a heads up.

I don't like GMK that much either but most people regard it very highly.  By the same guy who directed the newer Gamera films.

If you ever have any Gamera questions don't be afraid to ask 

[Dr Spankenstein]

Godzilla vs. Biollante is coming to dvd/blu ray later this year, just a heads up.

I don't like GMK that much either but most people regard it very highly.  By the same guy who directed the newer Gamera films.

If you ever have any Gamera questions don't be afraid to ask 

Thanks for the heads up!  I'm still pretty new to the Godzilla franchise but I've been watching them like mad lately, so I'm always open to suggestions.  When Godzilla vs Biollante comes out I'll be sure to pick up a copy.

Speaking of Gamera, I read that Gamera The Brave is coming out on DVD shortly.  Can't wait to see that one!

[king_ghidorah]

Thanks for the heads up!  I'm still pretty new to the Godzilla franchise but I've been watching them like mad lately, so I'm always open to suggestions.  When Godzilla vs Biollante comes out I'll be sure to pick up a copy.

Speaking of Gamera, I read that Gamera The Brave is coming out on DVD shortly.  Can't wait to see that one!

GTB is indeed coming out on dvd and blu ray soon.  There's actually an older copy already out on dvd.  I love that film.  It's not perfect mind you...for one thing Gamera doesn't even have his proper roar but instead he's been given Herman Munster's roar for some unknown reason.  It's very much a kiddy film but honestly, that's Gamera.  I love Gamera 3 but it's not really a Gamera film.  Out of the 90s films I'd say Guardian of the Universe is probably the closest in terms of how authentic it is to the Showa films and Gamera as a "Friend of all Children."  Before you see the Showa films just make sure your expectations are in check.  They are cheaper looking and they do revolve entirely around children but they're fun and that's the key.  They move quickly and they're bright and colorful.  I love them.  To me, they're really what Japanese tokusatsu (live action special effects films) are all about.  They don't strive for realism...they just do their own thing for the sake of fun.  I'd recommend checking out Gamera vs. Guiron first maybe as that was my favorite as a kid and I think it's the best of the bunch. 

No news yet on when Godzilla vs. Biollante will be available on blu ray but expect sometime this fall.  Also, Godzilla vs. Megalon is coming to dvd in the next few weeks.  So that means that the only Godzilla film left unreleased will be Godzilla 1985...maybe my favorite G film. 

Also, they're releasing the Daimajin trilogy on blu ray soon and those are some of the best tokusatsu films ever made in my opinion.  Especially the first film. 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008L0YMSW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
20 bucks for 3 films...it's a bargain. 

[Dr Spankenstein]

Hmm, I'm not familiar with the Daimajin movies.  What are they about?

I have the first Gamera movie in my netflix queue, but I'll add Gamera vs. Guiron as well.  What other Gamera (and giant monster movies) do you recommend?  Also, is there any difference between Gamera The Giant Monster and Gamera The Invincible (or are they the same movie)?