So with the upcoming release of another American production of a Godzilla movie, I 
decided to revisit the franchise for my Sunday night viewing pleasure. At first I was going to watch Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the Godzilla movie that most American would
mistakenly call the original film. It was in fact the Japanese film, severely cut down and with an American reporter, Steve Martin, (Played by Raymond Burr) stuck in with some ham-handed editing and thoroughly unmatched cinematography. Then It struck me that the right film in the franchise to watched was this one from 1985.
This was the 16th film in the monstrous franchise and the studio, Toho, had decided that they needed to return back to the original darker roots of the series. In Japan the film was released Gojira and it ignored all the films that had taken place since the original. Banished from the cannon were the dancing Godzillas,the tail sliding Godzillas,the sons of Godzillas, perhaps the most insane aspect, the flying Godzillas
The American rights were purchased by New World Pictures, that’s Roger Corman’s company, and what I can only guess was a nod to the original, they cut it down and stuck in Raymond Burr again playing reporter Steve Martin. The editing works better this time, but it is assisted by the manufactured storyline that keeps Burr safely in the United States instead of the King of The Monsters version where they tried to insert him ‘interacting/ with characters in the original film. (The writer/comedian Steve Martin did that better in Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid.)
In the story Godzilla has not been seen since that original attack in the mid 1950s, and no suddenly awakens and descends on a terrified Japan. World powers watch and interfere, in the case of the USSR launching a nuclear strike on the monster while it is in Tokyo. The American mainly watch from their command center and offer up intrusive product placement.
That said this is one of the better entries into the franchise. Godzilla is a monster again, not a savior. There are more original camera work that helps sell the terror of the beast. (really, with a giant monster like this you should never shoot it from it’s eye line, never.) There are simply but likeable characters to root for and a distinct lack of cynicism. The rubber suits looks well done, and for close-up the articulated head gives a fine performance. This film is certainly worth the time if you care for big monster stomps a city movies. It certainly help put me in the mood for this upcoming weekend.
