Posted on 06/25/2004 3:11:11 PM PDT by Long Cut
After banging around on some threads lately, it has become obvious that a decent number of FReepers are fans of Japan’s most famous monster, GODZILLA.
This is certainly understandable; that worthy creature has appeared in 28 movies over 50 years, has had two animated TV series, as well as a series of novels devoted to his exploits. Most of the movies we enjoyed as kids, whiling away Saturday afternoons in the days before cable with those great old ‘60s and ‘70s films with the Big G and his buddies Rodan, Mothra, Angilas, and a host of others. Lots of fun memories there, right? (C’mon...how many of you almost drove Mom crazy by trying incessantly to imitate the famous roar of Godzilla...at the top of your lungs? ‘Fess up.)
Myself, I have over 20 of Godzilla’s best (and worst) films on tape and DVD, as well as Daikaiju Eiga (giant monster movies) with other famous creatures of yore...Gamera the fiery turtle, Gorgo, and King Kong.
What is it that draws us to these creatures? Why do we take such pleasure in watching men in suits trash fake cities? WHO CARES?!?! They’re FUN!
Not only that, but they are perfectly suitable for our own children, being free of the sex and profanity so common today. Heck, I still own several Godzilla toys from years ago, and some NEW ones I “impulse bought”, to my wife’s chagrin, a few years ago when the American “GINO” (Godzilla In Name Only) came out.
Godzilla is actually a great fit for conservatives, is he not? Let’s see...he is steadfast in a fight, never running from confrontation and always standing up for himself.
He favors personal weapons, bringing his famous Atomic Breath (“Assault Breath”?) everywhere, carrying it concealed until needed. He has also taught his children the safe use of this weapon, as a good father should.
He is a good family man, taking care of both of his children single-clawedly, and homeschooling them besides. In fact, when one was taken by government agents (possibly from HHS), he retrieved the lad by leveling a city. As mentioned, he taught both the proper use of FIREarms.
He disdains illegal aliens, especially those from the planet Kilaak, whom he turned to cinders himself instead of bothering to wait for the INS. Repeat atmosphere-crossers, like Ghidorah, get similar treatment. In fact, no illegal aliens have ever faced anything but trouble from the Big Guy. He even destroys their ships, to prevent recidivism.
He hates government intrusion in his private life, such as when the government sends battalions of tanks to stop him from peaceably going for a walk. Not even David Koresh, however, reduced tanks to molten slag in defense of his Liberty.
He’s a team player as well as a good leader, having rallied other monsters to a cause and leading them on to victory, that being the obligatory stomping of (illegal) space alien ass, and of course the severe beating of Ghidorah.
He has no patience with the Endangered Species Act, which he proves by mauling and torching endangered giant mantises, spiders, and moths who pester him.
Yes, there’s a lot to like about the old geezer, and I figure that this is as good a place as any to discuss his and his bunch’s finer points.
So what’s your favorite movie? Favorite monster? How about the best battle, or what fight would you like to see? Let’s chew on that for a while...it’s the weekend!
cross thread ping and link.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1248306/posts?page=1
The thread I crosslinked to above has some more details. Looks like a big spread is planned.
I haven't seen a real Godzilla movie on the big screen since I was about 6 or 7. I'm hoping it has a wide enough release to make it here to my college town.
I don't mind the DVD's, though. I've got a widescreen TV and a really comfy couch.
I'm convinced that's why the movies this year are mostly tanking...people are much more capable of enjoying the experience in their own homes.
Incidentally, Media Blasters will finally be releasing The Mysterians to DVD in January-restored and SUBTITLED. They also have plans to release American DVDs Varan the Unbelievable, Dogora the Space Monster, Yog-Space Amoeba and the one I'm most looking forward to, Mantago-Fungus of Terror!
STOMP TOKYO has reviews of both up now. Go to the site and click on "reviews by genre" and follow the links.
Those aren't necessary DVD reviews, although it may very well be that the Stomp Tokyo folks have a region-free player, and use it to watch imported Japanese DVDs ( very expensive if you can afford it). My local video store has subtitled VHS copies of many Japanese science fiction and fantasy films copied from the laserdiscs, some of them also retaining the original disc extras (for instance, the War of the Gargantuas tape includes comparisons between the Japanese and American versions, showing how the US distributors decided to alter the nocturnal battles of the creatures to make it look like they took place in broad daylight-a decision which, in my opinion, damaged their impact). It should be noted that only their Mysterians review offers an Amazon link to a VHS copy of the film ("out of stock"), and a DVD link for neither. This will at least be their first completely legal appearance on American DVD.
Looks pretty cool, so far. Better versions will no doubt surface soon. If you catch one, post it here!!!
I can't get the video to play.
Nevermind. I got it.
Beautiful picture.
Any word from any FReeperzilla fans in Japan about what they thought of GFW?
Oh, THANK YOU!
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