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This is the big kahuna of all Godzilla films. The story is unique,
the acting is beautiful, the special effects are
good for the time period, and Maestro Akira
Ifukube presents some of his best work here.
Needless to say, Godzilla is a masterpiece!
A fishing boat is suddenly destroyed
in a flash of fire, and another sinks soon after!
Anxieties mount, and the nearby Oto Island is
investigated. After a native ceremony, Godzilla
comes ashore and decimates the island. Japan’s
leading paleontologist, Dr. Yamane, suggests further
study, and another group is sent out. Godzilla
appears above a mountain before he heads toward
the sea. The people are unsure whether or not
they should tell the public. News ultimately gets
out and depth bombs are deployed in order to destroy
the threat. Dr. Yamane is upset that such a wondrous
creature is apparently eliminated, but Ogata,
his daughter’s boyfriend, says that Godzilla
had to be destroyed. Soon thereafter, Emiko meets
her fiancé, Dr. Serizawa, who shows her
a terrible secret…
Godzilla emerges once again and
destroys a South Tokyo train station before retreating
to the bay. In response, the city quickly erects
a towering “fence” of electrical wire.
Godzilla is not deterred, as he breaks through
it. Tokyo is ravaged. Thousands of people are
killed, and Emiko reveals to Ogata the secret
she was shown by Dr. Serizawa: the fearful oxygen
destroyer. Dr. Serizawa and Ogata clash over whether
or not the weapon should be used, but after witnessing
Godzilla’s carnage on television, Dr. Serizawa
is convinced. He asks to place the weapon alongside
Ogata, and the two descend into the bay where
Godzilla rests. The weapon explodes in a fury
of bubbles, but only Ogata surfaces! Dr. Serizawa,
heartbroken that his fiancée loves Ogata,
chooses to die alongside Godzilla. Godzilla is
stripped of his flesh. The creature dies. In the
end, Dr. Yamane fears that another Godzilla will
arise due to humanity's continual testing of H-Bombs.
In regards to the acting, this
movie is superb. Akira Takarada, Momoko Koichi,
and Akihito Hirata are the best actors in the
entire cast. Even still, everyone else seems to
just fall right into the role they play, effectively
creating a brilliant cast. Of the characters,
Emiko, Ogata, and Serizawa are the most focused
upon, and easily become the most likeable. Everyone
in the main circle of characters is well developed,
with more than just the basic motives tossed in
(as seen in later Godzilla films). The actors
skillfully handle the grief in response to the
death of thousands, Dr. Serizawa’s tearful
death scene, and numerous other moments of drama.
The suit actor and the filmmakers also handle
Godzilla’s character beautifully. It really
looks as though Godzilla is a merciless force
of nature. The monster comes across as truly brilliant.
In the special effects department,
this film boasts some of the best scenes in any
Godzilla movie. While Godzilla's heat ray appears
as just a spray, one needs to remember that was
just about the best that could be done at that
time. The tanks and jets look very realistic,
but the jets do feature one of the film’s
few flaws. Specifically, the wires from which
they are suspended are clearly visible. The only
other flaw is that Yamane claims the Jurassic
Age was 2 million years ago, while scientists
say that it ended 136 million years ago. Overall,
the special effects are wonderful and help to
entrap the viewer in this film.
The music in Godzilla
is also excellent. The most memorable theme is,
without a doubt, the title theme, which is also
entitled "Intercept Godzilla". Other
themes, such as "Godzilla's Rampage",
add to the feeling that a 50-meter monster is
leveling Tokyo. Another one of Ifukube's great
themes is "Desperate Broadcast." Played
while Godzilla attacks television reporters in
a radio tower, this theme is right on the money.
Ifukube is certainly at the top of his game in
this film.
Godzilla
is the first and easily one of the best kaiju
films, made by the masters themselves: Ishiro
Honda, Eiji
Tsuburaya, and Tomoyuki
Tanaka. The emotions one goes through as he
or she watches this film are like a roller coaster.
There are ups and doubts, but it ultimately leads
to drama and sadness. If one doesn't cry while
witnessing the deaths of thousands, or Dr. Serizawa’s
death in particular, than one must have a heart
of steel. Both this version and the American version
of the same film are brilliant, and truly warrant
many, many viewings. Godzilla is truly
a classic.
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(4.5/5)