Godzilla

Gojira / Godzilla Deluxe Collector's Edition (Gojira/Godzilla [1954] / Godzilla, King of the Monsters [1956])

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Godzilla Raids Again

First time on DVD in North America!
Also released as Gigantis the Fire Monster by Warner Bros. The first sequel introduced the armadillo-like Anguilus (aka Anguirus).

King Kong Vs Godzilla/King Kong Escapes

The first color Godzilla film. The huge success of King Kong vs. Godzilla helped launched Godzilla into a series of sequels. This is one of the coolest looking Godzilla costumes and inspired the look of the Millenium Godzilla. King Kong, however, is a disappointment, being cheap and ugly looking. The film is fun, with some great moments in the monster showdowns. It also has a great score by Akira Ifukube, the jungle music was always one of his favorites. Universal was a partner in producing and releasing this film with Toho, and you will hear the theme for "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" thrown in with some other cues from Universal horror films. They work fine. As for the outcome...fans debate which of their heroes actually won. King Kong Escapes is another Toho King Kong movie, this time featuring a robot Kong as well.

Mothra vs. Godzilla

Widescreen presentation finally on DVD!
A favorite among many fans for its straight-forward approach and lack of camp. Mothra as a guardian of the Earth must stop Godzilla's rampage. Man's exploitation of the earth is a central theme.

Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster

New! Introducing popular foe King Ghidorah, a three-headed dragon from outer space, taking on Godzilla, Mothra, and Rodan. Contains both US version and uncut Japanese original. First time on DVD in North America.

Invasion of Astro-Monster (aka Monster Zero)

New! King Ghidorah returns in the first Godzilla film to feature an alien invasion. Contains US version "Monster Zero" and uncut Japanese original. Long-awaited DVD comes to North America.

Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster

The giant, lobster-like Ebirah is the foe in a rather slow entry. Godzilla is absent for about the first hour. This DVD is probably over-rated because it has absolutely beautiful picture quality and presents the film in both English and sub-titled Japanese. However, I would not recommend this for someone just starting their Godzilla collection. There are much better films.

Son of Godzilla

Minya or Minilla (as in "mini-Godzilla") is introduced, as well as the mantis-like Kumacuras and the giant spider Kumonga. As ugly as the Godzilla and Minya costumes are in the film it does have a touching moment at the end.

Godzilla's Revenge

This film has alot of stock-footage and an unabashedly campy approach. Once regarded as one of the worst G films, fans willing to get a laugh at this zany twist on Godzilla embrace its distinct sense of humor and spirit--there is no other Godzilla "kids" movie like this. In this film a child tormented by bullies fantasizes of going to Monster Island and befriending Godzilla's son (who speaks to the kid) who is likewise tormented by Kaiju bullies. Godzilla teaches his son not to be a coward and fight his own fights. Kaiju fight scenes are alot of fun here, especially the great confrontation with the monster bully, it's like a violent muppet movie.

Destroy All Monsters - 50th Anniversary Special Edition

Classic entry once known for having the most monsters in one film. Features Godzilla, King Ghidorah, Rodan, Mothra, Anguirus, Kumonga, Manda, Gorosaurus, Minilla, Baragon, and Varan. Awesome march in the main titles by Ifukube, and as a great bonus a soundtrack CD comes with this DVD!

Godzilla Vs Hedorah

Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster. Great looking monster Hedorah is a favorite of collectors. Movie may not be the best, and is often noted for it's unfortunate flying Godzilla scene.

Godzilla vs. Gigan

Again, not the greatest movie, but a fan-favorite foe, Gigan, a cyborg with a beak and sharp hooks. Would return in 1973's Godzilla vs. Megalon , but not to live up to his promise until his appearance in 2004's Final Wars. Godzilla vs. Megalon has not had a proper North American DVD release in a long time, but you might be able to get one of the rare or out-of-print ones here: Find Godzilla vs Megalon on DVD.

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

Not too terrible, an imposter Godzilla turns out to be a cyborg. Classic design on Mechagodzilla with lots of clever weapons.

Terror of Mechagodzilla

Featuring Titanosaurus. Ifukube returns to score the final Godzilla film of the Showa era. Haruo Nakajima's last performance as Godzilla, and director Ishiro Honda's final Godzilla film as well. Mundane storyline, but compelling kaiju fight scenes in this 20th Anniversary finale.

Godzilla 1985 [VHS]

Fairly redundant re-introduction of Godzilla for the 80's. Scenes with Raymond Burr were added into this one as well. The next film Godzilla vs. Biollante (from HBO video if you can find it) is much better.

Godzilla Vs Biollante [VHS]

Available again! Unfortunately, only on VHS. But yes, this is worth having. This is how the Japanese continually earn my admiration for their imaginations. Of course I had doubts for this story about Godzilla vs. a giant plant monster, but it's beyond all expectations. The monstrous plant is created from Godzilla's cells, and it's design is wicked, like a Todd McFarlane monster. The story is complex with a very thoughtful approach to its ideas and characters. This movie also introduced Miki Saegusa, a psychic character often sympathetic to Godzilla. She would appear in six consecutive G films.

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah / Godzilla & Mothra: The Battle for Earth

In the 90's following Godzilla vs. Biollante the G films were released regularly until the end of the Heisei series. One siginifigant development of this era was the advanced animatronics in Godzilla's head that gave him more expression. This Godzilla is also known as the cat-faced Godzilla for his distinctive features. Ifukube returned to score the rest of the Heisei G films beginning with these.

Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla II

One of the best of this era, the screenwriter would go on to produce some of the highlights in the Millenium series as well. Reintroduces Godzilla's son as Baby Godzilla, looking much better but still designed for cuteness.

Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla / Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

Space Godzilla has some terrible FX for outer space scenes. Ifukube skipped it and composer Takayuki Hattori is known for the unfortunate contrast between his bland action cues and themes and his truly beautiful emotional music. Ifukube returned for the 40th Anniversary finale, Godzilla vs. Destroyah, an introspective film which brought back the oxygen destroyer. Thought-provoking and emotional ending, really delivered by Ifukube's fantastic score.

Godzilla (Monster Edition)

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Godzilla 2000

Godzilla returns looking his best in the only Millenium G film to be theatrically released by Sony. It was dubbed with incredible sound design and some additional score replacing some of Hattori's. An intelligent film with a clever action-packed spectacle for its climax. The crafts of monster suits and model cities can easily be appreciated and recognised at their best.

Godzilla vs. Megaguirus

(Godzilla X Megaguirasu) The film is engaging, with interesting characters, and has some cool moments. In the beginning the CGI dragonfly-like beasties are awesome, then there are terrible FX when the monster attacks the Shibuya shopping district. Here Megaguirus begins to look as realistic as a cheap Happy Meal toy, and the wires holding him aloft are woefully obvious. Other FX are very well done, including a character climbing onto Godzilla. Film introduces a new Godzilla theme by Michiru Oshima, whose work is fantastic, except the unflattering cartoonish descending motif she uses when Godzilla falls. More suited for Wile E. Coyote falling off a cliff.

Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah - Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

Shusuke Kaneko directed the 90's Gamera films and elevated the giant turtle to a level of sophistication. Here he challenges Godzilla's mythos as well. A thoughtful storyline and thrilling action scenes make it one of the best of the Millenium era. Kaneko also brought Gamera composer Koo Otani along to help give the film a distinct sound. The Godzilla suit is the largest ever. A couple of shots look bad, but with its whited-out eyes and fierce character Godzilla commands respect, and the movie may have the best FX of the Millenium series.

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla

(Godzilla X MechaGodzilla) The director of Megaguirus returns with a solid film. From the bones of the original Godzilla from 1954, Mechagodzilla is constructed to fight the modern day Godzilla. Oshima returns through Toko SOS.

Godzilla - Tokyo S.O.S.

This fairly standard entry seems to retell the Godzilla vs. Mothra storyline, with Mechagodzilla thrown in for good measure. I was excited about the new Mechagodzilla story continuing, but this film didn't impress me as much as the previous entry. However, I can imagine that someone who hadn't already seen the Mothra story in both prior Godzilla series getting much more out of this movie.

Godzilla - Final Wars

Toho hands over Godzilla and their biggest budget yet to G-fan and director of the zombie flick Versus, Ryuhei Kitamura. He shows his love for the big G by gathering the most kaiju in one film ever and also homaging Destroy All Monsters with a similar plot. Kitamura's brother steals the show as a Xillian controller dispatching kaiju to destroy the world. Exciting style and lots of action, plus some cool surprises, with a warm-hearted moment adding a nice touch at the end.

For a full page review of Final Wars with video clips, see Godzilla Final Wars here on Squidoo.

The Best Of Godzilla 1954-1975: Original Film Soundtracks

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The Best Of Godzilla 1984-1995: Original Film Soundtracks

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Godzilla: 50th Anniversary Edition

Introducing the Rampage Theme, Godzilla's March, and more.

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King Kong vs. Godzilla

The Jungle Music was one of Ifukube's favorites.

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Godzilla VS. Destoroyah

The final Godzilla film scored by Ifukube.

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Godzilla: Save the Earth

Playstation 2

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Godzilla Save the Earth

Xbox

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Godzilla Destroy All Monsters

Xbox

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Godzilla: Domination

Take Godzilla with you in this version of Destroy All Monsters Melee for Gameboy Advanced.

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