Talkback: Godzilla 2000 Millennium (1999)

[GojiDoobyDoo]

Aye! Another 2000 baby, nice!

My nostalgia with this one is strong, I watched it countless times as a kid and it might've even been my first Godzilla film (truthfully I don't remember which was my first). It's definitely a comfort film, and I also just think it's a really solid Godzilla movie. To your point about this one almost representing Godzilla's history up to that point, this film doesn't do anything weird or crazy. It's got a solid human plot, a fantastic Godzilla design, and a cool alien invader story. The effects can definitely be dated, but I also think you can say that about basically the entire series. As a 2000s child, the particular effects of this one definitely invoke a sense of nostalgic fun, just a remembrance of early 2000s SFX/VFX.

I know for some this one is kinda meh, but for me, it's a really solid entry.

(Also, the American edit is absolutely the way to view this one. The added music and sound effects go a country mile in improving the movie.)

[edgaguirus]

This one is memorable for me as the first Godzilla movie I saw in a theater. It's a different experience than viewing it at home.

[Breakdown]

Okay, since it was free on YouTube I decided to give it a rewatch. I'm actually surprised by how much I ended up liking it! Better than I remember for sure. Its not groundbreaking like Minus One or Shin, but it was straight up fun. The score, characters, sound design and pacing was pretty great, though I did have two main critiques about the film. Some of the effects have not aged well at all. Particularly the shots of Godzilla imposed onto real-world footage. The most egregious examples are the zooming out shot of Godzilla coming ashore, and pretty much his entire march through Tokyo to get to the UFO. There was one shot in particular that actually made me go "yikes"; when Godzilla is crossing train tracks and he doesn't match the background AT ALL and even has more muted colors. They tried to conceal some of this with dust and debris effects, but its painfully obvious he's not actually walking on anything. They also made Katagiri out to be an asshole even though he doesn't really do anything to warrant it? Yeah he blew up that building knowing Shinoda was inside, but the latter forgave him in their very next meeting lol.

Godzilla's design here is also solid; I always loved the pinkish-purple dorsal plates and the super rough texture of his skin. This Godzilla also has one of the coolest charge-up/beam sound effect in the franchise. The increasing hum accompanied by this crackling energy sound. The beam is also as powerful as it looks/sounds. Yeah it doesn't blow up entire cities in one shot, but its awesome how it just absolutely tears through anything in its way; carving through huge buildings, cutting the UFO in half, then boring a hole through it's remains and Orga's entire shoulder. I also love how aggressive this Godzilla is. Orga tried to avoid conflict at first, even feebly shielding himself with his hands when Godzilla begins approaching with hostile intent. As for Orga himself, he was never really a favorite of mine, but I do appreciate the idea behind his design being that of a misshapen alien beast. His shoulder cannon is a cool concept, and is a nice sort of visual continuity between himself and the UFO. The Millennian was also a really interesting looking creature that I kinda wish we saw a bit more of before it turned into Orga. Also potential hot take: I really like the use of the G98 roar here. It's oddly fitting? I saw this movie as a kid, and now I forever associate that roar with G98 and G2000.

Overall I'd say this is a solid 7/10.

[LSD Jellyfish]

They also made Katagiri out to be an asshole even though he doesn't really do anything to warrant it? Yeah he blew up that building knowing Shinoda was inside, but the latter forgave him in their very next meeting lol.

I think Shinoda knew the dangers of entering the building when the UFO was on top of it, and for that reason probably wasn’t so taken aback by Katagiri’s decision.

My interpretation of Katagiri is that he’s supposed to be a slightly arrogant antagonist to Shinoda, but not a villain. It’s clear he takes his job seriously, and in many ways his perspective isn’t wrong. I don’t think the film fully villainizes him, and I don’t think him dying at the end is supposed to be a comeuppance of any sort. It’s become a meme because of the dub, but my interpretation is that Katagiri finally realizes the mysteriousness of Godzilla, and he’s overwhelmed by it.

[GojiDoobyDoo]

This Godzilla also has one of the coolest charge-up/beam sound effect in the franchise. The increasing hum accompanied by this crackling energy sound. The beam is also as powerful as it looks/sounds. Yeah it doesn't blow up entire cities in one shot, but its awesome how it just absolutely tears through anything in its way; carving through huge buildings, cutting the UFO in half, then boring a hole through it's remains and Orga's entire shoulder.

HARD agree. The sound effects as a whole are so memorable with this one. The heat ray in particular is just fantastic, as you said, that humming and crackling sound as the energy starts to build up. That one scene where it's doing that and literally burning the cables off of his back and mouth. It's wonderful.

I also love how aggressive this Godzilla is. Orga tried to avoid conflict at first, even feebly shielding himself with his hands when Godzilla begins approaching with hostile intent.

This is something I've never noticed till you someone else mentioned it, but I can't unsee it now. Orga really is rather passive at first, almost confused and scared. I think it adds a lot to the character now that I see it, he really is pathetic, but in a genuinely sad way. He didn't ask for this, he just wanted to regain his normal form, not morph into a brutish Godzilla hybrid.

Also potential hot take: I really like the use of the G98 roar here. It's oddly fitting? I saw this movie as a kid, and now I forever associate that roar with G98 and G2000.

I wouldn't call it a hot take at all. The G98 roar fits in very well with G2000s roars/grunts, and I maintain that the additional sound effects of the American version benefit the movie immensely. It's funny, because the American edits of Godzilla movies have always done a pretty good job at lifting up the sound effect department. It's just that usually, they screw a bunch of other stuff up in the process. This movie stands out as being one that only uplifts the movie, adding much needed sound effects and solid additional music.

(Also, the G98 roars are very nostalgic for me with this Godzilla as well )

[Breakdown]

My interpretation of Katagiri is that he’s supposed to be a slightly arrogant antagonist to Shinoda, but not a villain. It’s clear he takes his job seriously, and in many ways his perspective isn’t wrong. I don’t think the film fully villainizes him, and I don’t think him dying at the end is supposed to be a comeuppance of any sort. It’s become a meme because of the dub, but my interpretation is that Katagiri finally realizes the mysteriousness of Godzilla, and he’s overwhelmed by it.

Yeah, that's the impression I got as well. Katagiri is very firm and by-the-books type of leader. In a way, their dynamic kind of reminded me of Yamane and Ogata in the original, where Yamane laments that Godzilla shouldn't be killed, rather studied, whereas Ogata thinks Godzilla is too dangerous to live, and must be destroyed. I swear one or two lines from Shinoda were almost exactly like something Dr. Yamane said in the '54 film. Still though, there was definitely some form of mutual respect between the two, as Shinoda seemed really upset by his death, lol.

[edgaguirus]

Shinoda and Katagiri are foils for each other, which is one of the strengths of the story. We have two men interested in Godzilla, but with polar opposite motives and methods.