Overall Rating
  Awesome: 77.33%
Worth A Look: 9.33%
Average: 8%
Pretty Bad: 1.33%
Total Crap: 4%
4 reviews, 51 user ratings
|
|
| Godzilla (1954) |
by Steve in Prague
"A work of art that deserves to hang in the Louvre"
|
This review is the original version WITHOUT Raymond Burr!!!In 1954 the most expensive Japaneese movie (up to that time) was released: Gojira (Godzilla). Little did anyone know, Godzilla would become THE icon of Japan, spawning many many sequels, and becoming the third part of the "franchise" trinity of cinema (Godzilla, James Bond, Tarzan).
What sets the original 1954 Gojira apart from all its later efforts is simple: Its a re-telling of the Atomic attack on Japan, as embodied by Godzilla itself.
From the brilliant opening sequence, based on the real life experience of the trawler "Taihaiko Maru", which was bathed in radioactive fallout from Bikini Atoll, to the stunning musical score, to the scenes of devastation in Tokyo and the radiation burns on Godzilla's victims, this is NOT the Godzilla of the 60's or 70's.
Everything clicks. The cast, the editing, the score, the lighting, EVERYTHING. What makes this movie so special is that it is told in documentary style, as if a brave cameraman was following Godzilla on his path of destruction.
Many aspects of Japan's unique culture and traditions are throughout the film, and may be lost on many non-knowing Westerners. For example: In the final scene, take a look at the bandannas worn by Dr.Serizawa as he prepares to dive into Tokyo Bay in an attempt to kill Godzilla with the "Oxygen Destroyer". It is a kamikaze blossom bandanna, and its symbolism cannot be overlooked.
References are also made to Japan's war time alliance with Germany, and it is implied that Dr.Serizawa developed the "Oxygen Destroyer" (the main weapon used against Godzilla) with Nazi Germany. Serizawa denies it, but the look on his face and in his eyes betrays him, as does the shame he radiates when confronted with his "german friends".
On a side note, it should be mentioned that when Godzilla FINALLY is killed in 1998's "Godzilla vs Destroyah", the Oxygen Destroyer is once again used, this time inadvertently spawning Godzilla's largest foe to date.
It is next to impossible to see the original non-Raymond Burr version of Godzilla outside of Japan. You can order it online, or look for a serious art house retrospective on Japanese cinema, the original version is almost always included in any screenings of classic Japaneese cinema.
Remember, this isn't the Godzilla that Dean Develin raped, and its not the rubber suited comical Godzilla of the 1970's, this is a SERIOUS, dark, violent, chilling, and ultimately moving art film that set the standard."Gojira", "Ran", and "The Seven Samurai" make up the three greatest Japanese movies ever made.
link directly to this review at https://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=1657&reviewer=253
originally posted: 05/03/01 23:04:17
![[printer]](/images/icon/printer.gif) printer-friendly format
|
OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2004 Sydney Film Festival. For more in the 2004 Sydney Film Festival series, click here.
OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2005 Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival. For more in the 2005 Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival series, click here.
Trilogy Starters: For more in the Trilogy Starters series, click here.
|
 |
USA
27-Apr-1956 (NR)
DVD: 05-Sep-2006
UK
N/A
Australia
02-Jul-1956 (MA)
|
|
Articles 
subscribe to this feed![[AllPosters.com]](/images/icon/ap.gif){kind=icon}
