Godzilla

Name: Godzilla
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, Horror
Released: May 7, 2004
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura

2004

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 59 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 59 Ratings

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Godzilla: The Japanese Original

Movie Details & Credits

Unrated

Distributors Corporation of America (DCA) | Release Date: May 7, 2004

Starring: Akihiko Hirata, Takashi Shimura

Summary: Never before released in the U.S., this is the original, uncut Japanese version of Godzilla directed by sci-fi master Ishiro Honda.

Director: Ishirô Honda

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, Horror

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 98 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Christian Science Monitor - David Sterritt

Not that Honda's original Godzilla is a message movie first and foremost. It's a horror flick, and an ingenious one at that, with visual effects so vivid that gimmicky spin-offs became an enduring staple of popular film. Read full review

Portland Oregonian - Marc Mohan

In the annals of monster movies, one name stands above all the rest, way above: Godzilla. Read full review

Dallas Observer - Luke Y. Thompson

The original retains its dark tone and deadly serious anti-war message. For today's moviegoing audiences, this may not be your daddy's Godzilla movie, but chances are your granddaddy could teach you a thing or two about the context. Read full review

The A.V. Club - Keith Phipps

Why it works is anyone's guess. It's fair to argue--and the film makes this argument itself, with no great subtlety--that Godzilla embodies Japan's nuclear anxieties in the aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Marc Savlov

Is it classic cinema? Perhaps not, but then again, American shores and citizens have never been lacerated by atomic weapons. What do we know? Read full review

San Francisco Chronicle - Mick LaSalle

A new restoration takes a flawed bit of monster camp and turns it back into a strong, serious-minded and occasionally moving science-fiction film. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

Regaled for 50 years by the stupendous idiocy of the American version of Godzilla, audiences can now see the original Japanese version, which is equally idiotic. Read full review

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User Reviews

barrosjared

Jan 13, 2017

Godzilla might lack the special effects of todays standards, but the story and message of this film is a very great importance. Filled with suspenseful scenes as well as emotional ones where Godzilla would make his debut in a nice touch on the monster genre.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KingGoji2001

Jul 7, 2018

This is one of the Best Godzilla Movies of all time.

If you are a Kaiju Fan, and you like Giant Monsters destroying cities: This Is For You

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ChadeW.

Dec 1, 2005

After decades of countless criticisms, crappy less-than-b-quality movies(not to mention the UTTERLY horrible and unfaithful 1998 "remake"), im glad to see that the Gman (the true Gman, not the creepy, speech impetted guy from half-life) finally gets some of the pat on the back he deserves. After decades of countless criticisms, crappy less-than-b-quality movies(not to mention the UTTERLY horrible and unfaithful 1998 "remake"), im glad to see that the Gman (the true Gman, not the creepy, speech impetted guy from half-life) finally gets some of the pat on the back he deserves. Honda does(or did...) a VERY good job of getting it through to our little americanized brains that, Ahem, NUKES SUCK. Well so did James Cameron with Terminator and T2, but as good as he did it, nothing can beet the master. Godzillas trademark... Godzillaness is all here. Plus a little (if i may say so myself) Barney the dinasaur-like message to kids... then again, dont get your kids to see this, they might fall asleep or get really fricken insultive of your old-timey self, but if they ever did understand the message(unlikely with todays kids) they WILL have horrific nightmares of the BMFRCM( Big Mutha ****** Rubber Clad Monster) stomping on theyre homes and ruining their barbies and GI joes with the charring and scathing nuclear fires that Ishiro Honda likes to call American Payback. This is without a doubt, THE best foreign monster movie ever made, hands down.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Gojira63

Jun 13, 2013

Directed by Ishirō Honda and featuring the special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, Gojira starred Akira Takarada, Momoko Kōchi, Akihiko Hirata and Takashi Shimura. It was an instant box office smash in Japan. Although many elements are similar to the American version the structure of the story isDirected by Ishirō Honda and featuring the special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, Gojira starred Akira Takarada, Momoko Kōchi, Akihiko Hirata and Takashi Shimura. It was an instant box office smash in Japan. Although many elements are similar to the American version the structure of the story is different. The film begins with the mysterious destruction of a couple of ships near Odo Island. When people come to investigate the occurrences they experience some type of attack at night during the height of a hurricane. Then the scientists arrive to study Odo island where they encounter a giant reptilian monster standing over the hill roaring at them before fleeing to the ocean.

The story also revolves around the human characters, such as the lead scientist Archeologist Kyohei Yamane, his daughter Emiko, who is engaged to her father’s colleague, Daisuke Serizawa, but is in love with a salvage ship captain, Hideto Ogata. A core scene and plot point of the movie is the break up of Emiko and Serizawa. Before she can break off her engagement to Dr. Serizawa he shares with Emiko his secret weapon he invented, a device which can destroy oxygen in water. After witnessing the horror and the destruction that this device can do to living things Serizawa has Emiko swear to reveal his secret to no one.

Amidst these interpersonal relationships Godzilla begins to attack Tokyo and with each attack being more destructive than the last. Emiko is overcome with grief as she views the destruction Godzilla has brought to her city and nation. She also nurses a her wounded boyfriend, Ogata, who survived Godzilla’s rampage. With the government unable to defeat Godzilla and fearing more death and carnage Emiko betrays Dr. Serizawa and reveals his secret of the Oxygen Destroyer. At first Serizawa refuses to use his weapon. After being convinced of the wisdom of using the weapon Serizawa burns the research papers.

The Japanese Navy brings Ogata and Serizawa to Tokyo Bay to use the weapon to destroy Godzilla. Once the weapon is deployed and Godzilla writhes in agony and is dieing Serizawa cuts the chord to his oxygen tank to sacrifice himself so that the secret of his weapon dies with him. Emiko and Ogata witness the demise of both Serizawa and Godzilla yet there is no comfort in their victory due to the loss of Serizawa coupled with the awareness that the atomic age has released forces that may strike again.

For myself both the original Japanese version and the adapted American version are equally good movies. There is a somberness to the tone of the film and an urgency along with despair and helplessness that would never be repeated in the franchise again. As Godzilla evolved into a more child friendly franchise Toho studios did not attempt to recreate the seriousness of this first film for many years. Once they did try to a more serious attempts at a Godzilla movie in the late 80s and beyond they could never achieve the the same mood and tone this one set. One of the reasons, in my opinion, that the later movies failed to recreate the same mood is that all Godzilla movies has Godzilla fighting another monster (except the 1984 reboot) and those rampages by the big guy seem more motivated toward defeating a threat by another monster than Godzilla being a threat himself. In the original movie Godzilla was something mankind had brought upon himself and was reaping what he sowed. That was not the message in these later films. I also think the black and white cinematography and the distinctive musical score by Akira Ifukube also helped set the mood. When Toho begins to make Godzilla movies once again, or if the planned American movie gets made, I hope they take lessons from the one that started it all.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Sam

Nov 23, 2005

Holy re-release Batman! Not only does this movie bring back the everything that made me jump with love and joy, but there's even more of it. Although I will say that the 1998 wasn't that bad, I thought it had good FX and pottential, and I loved the underated 2000, but this forever Holy re-release Batman! Not only does this movie bring back the everything that made me jump with love and joy, but there's even more of it. Although I will say that the 1998 wasn't that bad, I thought it had good FX and pottential, and I loved the underated 2000, but this forever will be the best Godzilla movie. However, there is a good chance that the new one, with its rumor of being darker, grittier, and more intense, may overpower this, but until then, let's enjoy ourselves, and unleash the hardcore Godzilla fan everyone has inside them.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

Kameron

Sep 7, 2014

An absolute master piece.
Nicely done characters and GREAT portrayal of Godzilla.
Nice Screen play and script.

Crushes its sequels and its 2 American made films just like how it crushes Tokyo.

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