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!
Location filming in Paris was out of the question at any budget unless you were a German filmmaker. "I remember every detail. The Germans wore gray, you wore blue."
| GODZILLA - Blue Oyster Cult (1977 "Spectres") With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound He pulls the spitting high tension wires down Helpless people on a subway train Scream bug-eyed as he looks in on them He picks up a bus and he throws it back down As he wades through the buildings toward the center of town Oh no, they say he’s got to go Go go godzilla, yeah Oh no, there goes tokyo Go go godzilla, yeah Rinji news o moshiagemasu! Rinji news o moshiagemasu! Godzilla ga ginza hoomen e mukatte imasu! Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai! Daishkyu hinan shite kudasai! Oh no, they say he’s got to go Go go godzilla, yeah Oh no, there goes tokyo Go go godzilla, yeah History shows again and again How nature points up the folly of men Godzilla! |
Godzilla rocks! Whether he's friendly Godzilla or bad Godzilla, he's always guaranteed fun.
I was always astonished that that song has been in NO Godzilla movies to date. You'd think they'd have used it at least ONCE.
In the very first movie, he only went on a rampage AFTER he was attacked. Prior to that, he was simply walking along and curiously examining things.
A bit of diversion here.
Hey, Dog, you oughtta see GMK...watch Japanese pilots in SU-35's (!) use JDAMS against Godzilla in that one.
In the '90's movies, there were some pretty good scenes of F-15's battling both Rodan and King Ghidorah.
If that don't strike your fancy, there were these pieces of pinup art we were discussing earlier...go to spiderwebart.com for a bit of a pulse increase!
Awesome artwork by CHRIS SCALF at www.chrisscalf.com!!!!!
Wait for gen-Y to come along and rewrite the Godzilla myth's cinematic rules.
I'm one of those lucky few who live near video store which not only carries these films (they actually have separate sections devoted to classic sci-fi and classic horror) but subtitled tapes of the original Japanese prints, in the original aspect ratio. You can really appreciate an intelligent and lavish production like Atragon when you watch it they way it should be presented.
I stick with recent, licensed releases. They're easy to find now...I get most of mine from the mall, or Amazon.
I just logged in. I just finished watching Godzilla, Mothra, & King Ghidorah. Yuri is fine!
Thanks for the fun.
LOL!
Wasn't it funny how they had the Japanese air force using Sukhois?
PING to an evolving atomic-mutated reptile!
#167 makes a GREAT wallpaper!
Looks like a great thread, but Godzilla just doesn't appeal to me. Never did. Must be something lacking in my childhood. When you've seen one city stomped into rubble, you've seen 'em all.
Ah, we bounce around the topics here. See #153.
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