Ishiro Honda, 1911 - 1993

[Goji]

Sadly, you're right for the most part. With the exception of THE MYSTERIANS, YOG, and GORATH, none of them really did. And even then, they were just the U.S. versions on ugly, faded pan and scan EP VHS tapes. I didn't get a chance to see ATRAGON or MATANGO until the DVD releases.

I still find it odd that both KING KONG ESCAPES and FRANKENSTEIN VS. BARAGON both eluded VHS releases in the U.S.. I had to tape KKE off Sci-Fi back in the 90's, and FvB I had to settle for a Toho VHS that wasn't even subtitled.

[The Dark Uniter]

ORIGNAL: SuperSaiyan4Godzilla Ha.

Anyway:

I'mma propose an idea about why Honda isnt that well-discussed and I may get hell for it. Could it be that Ishiro Honda isn't as great of a director as we make him out to be? I've only seen his monster films, however. I cant comment that much on his other works. I'm just suggesting.

Speaking for myself, I think Ishiro Honda is a great director. I personally don't see how he's a bad director. Granted he wasn't like Akira Kurosawa, making the films he wanted to make, but still in general his movies are very good, and I like how the stories in his movies are treated as if its real. He may have some not-so-great (who doesn't), but even with those, he makes the most out of his films.

[DaikaijuSokogeki!]

Even though it's still a sci-fi film, I think The Human Vapor proves that Ishiro Honda was a freaking genius.

[Gojira-Fan]

I feel like Honda is hardly talk about or mention in most film debates. I hardly see him mention as people's favorite director.

Probably because most of the films that he directed that get exposure in America were Kaiju films, and generally most critics or film historians are not going to praise those type of films (other than the scholars who work exclusively in researching/analyzing the genre such as August Ragon). Simply put, these type of movies don't generally attract serious critical analysis.

Ha.

Anyway:

I'mma propose an idea about why Honda isnt that well-discussed and I may get hell for it. Could it be that Ishiro Honda isn't as great of a director as we make him out to be? I've only seen his monster films, however. I cant comment that much on his other works. I'm just suggesting.

I don't see what is so funny about any of the things you highlighted, other then I misspelled Ragone's last name.

Honda is considered a great director because he has directed some of the best Godzilla/Kaiju movies. If he directed good movies, how could you say he was a bad director?

[Crocodile]

Honda is considered a great director because he has directed some of the best Godzilla/Kaiju movies. If he directed good movies, how could you say he was a bad director?

Question is bold, answer is underlined

SS4G is simply making the assertion we love him for creating some of the Japanese Sci-Fi films that the current cult following we're in, was formed around. Therefore it's possible we have a heavy bias towards considering him a genius. Much the same way a comic book fan may love Stan Lee more than say, an English Professor might.

I don't quite agree with him, but he does make sense.

Gojira, Rodan, Mothra, Mothra vs Godzilla, Atragon, Ghidrah, Monster Zero, Frankenstein Conquers the World, Gargantuas and Destroy all Monsters have always been favorite and well known Toho films. They probably wouldn't be so fondly remembered if Honda wasn't such a good director.

Case and point, very few people outside the fandom give a shit about any of these films sans Gojira (maybe)

Where as Kurosawa is typically respected by film critics the world over

[Gojira-Fan]

Quote:
Honda is considered a great director because he has directed some of the best Godzilla/Kaiju movies. If he directed good movies, how could you say he was a bad director?





Question is bold, answer is underlined

SS4G is simply making the assertion we love him for creating some of the Japanese Sci-Fi films that the current cult following we're in, was formed around. Therefore it's possible we have a heavy bias towards considering him a genius. Much the same way a comic book fan may love Stan Lee more than say, an English Professor might.

I don't quite agree with him, but he does make sense.

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score:

Gojira - 93%
Rodan - 71%
Mothra - 70%
King Kong Vs. Godzilla - 36%
Mothra Vs. Godzilla - 89%
All Monsters Attack - 33%

Generally his films got fairly good review from mainstream american critics if Rotten Tomatoes is to be trusted.

[Showa Gyaos]

^What about Destroy All Monsters?

[Gojira-Fan]

^What about Destroy All Monsters?

Doesn't have enough reviews, along with some other Godzilla films from Honda.

Oh, and apparently Roger Egbert reviewed Godzilla's Revenge:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/godzillas-revenge/

[Gojira-Fan]

Someone should translate the Japanese reviews for Toho's special effects films...

[Crocodile]

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score:

Gojira - 93%
Rodan - 71%
Mothra - 70%
King Kong Vs. Godzilla - 36%
Mothra Vs. Godzilla - 89%
All Monsters Attack - 33%

Generally his films got fairly good review from mainstream american critics if Rotten Tomatoes is to be trusted.

Rodan - 7 reviews
Mothra- 10 reviews
KKvG - 11 reviews
Mothra vs Godzilla - 9 reviews
All Monsters Attack-Perfectly valid as it sucked anyways

RT works on a Percentage based upon the number reviews sent, it isn't hard to maintain a high percentage when barely anyone submits reviews Goji. I love these films, I do. Except All Monsters Attack it can suck it. However RT, not trustworthy for Godzilla movies, the consensus is drawn from too small a number of critics. Except Gojira that one's score is legit

[Gojira-Fan]

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score:

Gojira - 93%
Rodan - 71%
Mothra - 70%
King Kong Vs. Godzilla - 36%
Mothra Vs. Godzilla - 89%
All Monsters Attack - 33%

Generally his films got fairly good review from mainstream american critics if Rotten Tomatoes is to be trusted.

Rodan - 7 reviews
Mothra- 10 reviews
KKvG - 11 reviews
Mothra vs Godzilla - 9 reviews
All Monsters Attack-Perfectly valid as it sucked anyways

RT works on a Percentage based upon the number reviews sent, it isn't hard to maintain a high percentage when barely anyone submits reviews Goji. I love these films, I do. Except All Monsters Attack it can suck it. However RT, not trustworthy for Godzilla movies, the consensus is drawn from too small a number of critics. Except Gojira that one's score is legit

Well, I think that has more to do with most mainstream critics not reviewing his movies. Granted, I really can't think of a better way of seeing what critics have thought of Honda's work other than RT.

[Crocodile]

Well, I think that has more to do with most mainstream critics not reviewing his movies

Reading into that thought, we can only infer mainstream critics simply don't care about Honda enough to pay him anymind

[The Dark Uniter]

I don't really read reviews. I like using my own judgement if I want to see a certain TV show or film. Not that there's anything with critics, but I enjoy a film or show a lot better that way.

[GalacticPetey]

Is Gorath available on the states?

[Rody]

^ I don't think so.

I gave my votes for Gojira, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Invasion of Astro-Monster, and Mothra. I really need to give his non-Godzilla sci-fi films another watch, though - and I have yet to see Gorath or The Human Vapor (much less his "normal" movies).

[Shadow]

If only Godzilla 14 came to this thread before posting... The Gigan Suit!
OT: My votes are Gojira, Mothra vs. Godzilla and King Kong vs. Godzilla.

[20th Century Boy]

My top 5:

1. Godzilla
2. Mothra
3. Matango
4. Mothra vs. Godzilla
5. Atragon

He might just be my favorite movie director, just narrowly beating Spielberg.

[MandaSaurus]

War of the Gargantuas( aka Frankenstein's Monsters: Gaira vs Sanda )

One of Honda's BEST, IMO, and Godzilla is nowhere to be seen. Proof that you didn't have to have Big G on board, to make a GOOD daikaiju movie. Doubt it will happen, but I'd love to see a sequel or re-make of this flick with modern suit acting & some CGI enhancement.

[MDK]

My favorite is Matango. Easily.

[ScootaVaran]

I love so much of his work, but i think Gojira and Atragon have to be his greatest.