Great Godzilla Movies

 

To most horror and even sci-fi fans, Godzilla has a special place in our hearts. This is usually the movies that introduced us to horror. It has death, destruction, mad science, violence, and monsters; but it is presented in a gentle and fun way. This is the bait that hooked many to the horror genre. Here is what we get, men in elastic monster suits brawling with one-another amidst a spiffy built train set, stepping on miniature cars/trucks/tanks willy-nilly in the hopes of conveying a sense of annihilation on an apocalyptic scale. To the average moviegoer, Godzilla is an icon of combative campiness; a monolithic figure akin to a green gladiator, fighting other kaiju(strange beast) while tiny people point and scream “the monster is attacking the city!”

Very few people consider Godzilla as unwatchable, if they do, then unfriend them. You do not need that kind of negativity in your life. Godzilla is one movie monster that everyone knows just by name. Ask anyone be it a 8 or 80 year old, and they will recognize the name Godzilla. The greatest thing about these movies is this; you can share the experience with any age group, and it will generate a smile. So lets look at some of the great movies of The King of Monsters, Gojira. As always, these are in no way shape or form in any order of best to worse, greatest, or any intelligent ranking at all. They are just good movies that brought something new to the franchise.

Godzilla vs. Hedorah 1971

 

This is the Godzilla movie most kids in the US saw first. For some reason most horror shows ran this a couple of times. Maybe it is because of the anti-pollution message. The titular monster Hedorah, is a microscopic critter from space that, after entering the earth’s atmosphere near a power plant, begins to morph into a slippery creature made of pure pollution. Godzilla appears not as a menace to mankind but as the planet’s savior (an idea frequently revisited, including in the new movies), here to ward off the evil smog monster. This entry is memorable for the monster’s unique design, which combines Muppet-like googly eyes with a Lovecraftian body shape, and the refreshingly psychedelic visuals that often borders on the downright hallucinogenic. It has everything a Godzilla movie needs, destruction, mayhem and Godzilla kicking the living snot out of the bad guy. Plus it has one of the best death scenes of all the movies.

Godzilla 2000 1999

After the horrible American version of the King of Monsters, Toho was quick to get the bad taste out of everyone’s mouths(we thank you for that too). A giant flying saucer crash land right in the middle of Tokyo(where else would it). After much speculation as to what it is, the spaceship transforms into the gigantic beast named Orga, a massive monster with a big enough mouth to swallow Godzilla whole. This movie kick-started Toho’s millennium series, and was a return to form for the titular monster.   

King Kong vs. Godzilla 1962

Giant monster fans had their dreams come true when East met West in King Kong vs. Godzilla. Audiences got to witness firsthand the battle of the famous great ape. Kong and everyone’s favorite dinosaur, reptile or amphibian(you pick). The third movie in the Godzilla franchise is a fun ride. It’s certainly absurd and the effects are dated, but the final battle is entertaining nonetheless as the two creatures exchange punches, blows, slams, and throw boulders at one another. Who will win in this battle of the titans? Watch and see.

Godzilla: Final Wars 2004

Intended to be the very last Godzilla film(yea right), everything about Final Wars is notched up to 11, with aliens, psychic abilities, martial arts showdowns and every giant monster that Toho could find crammed into one movie. The plot, in a nutshell, involves mysterious aliens named Xilians as they unleash havoc on mankind with Earth’s various creatures. The final half of the film has Godzilla stomping around from place to place as he beats down monsters like Anguirus, Gigan, Ghidorah, and my favorite fight against the pathetic 1998 American version (which is killed off in glorious cathartic retribution).

Godzilla: Final Wars may be campy, but like all of the films on this list, it’s a lot of fun. It’s nothing but nonstop action all the way through, with either humans fighting aliens, or Godzilla fighting, well, everyone. Final Wars culminates in a fantastic all-you-can-eat-buffet of monster matches that does the King of the Monsters justice.

Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster 1964

 

The actual plot(that is a stretch) of this movie is a crazy alien story that makes almost no sense. A princess is possessed by an alien who prophesies the return of Rodan and Godzilla. There’s some side business about assassins, but Rodan and Godzilla cause some destruction before the possessed princess says that the real threat is King Ghidorah, a three-headed golden space dragon that destroyed her society and had come to Earth. The humans call upon the Mothra Larvae to try and convince Godzilla and Rodan to help her fight King Ghidorah. Then the action starts. So throw the story out, and enjoy a monster battle royal.

Godzilla Vs. MechaGodzilla 1972

When a prophecy about a black cloud in the sky leads to what appears to be Godzilla emerging from Mount Fuji, humanity panics. Then, Godzilla is wounded revealing a flash of silver metal underneath his skin. A second Godzilla appears, outing the first Godzilla as MechaGodzilla. It turns out there are aliens from the Third Planet of the Black Hole that have infiltrated Earth and are controlling MechaGodzilla. The humans have to call upon an ancient protector (and a new monster!) a giant bi-pedal lion god named King Caesar. King C doesnt get the love he deserves. He is a good design and they only use him in 2 movies(well 3 but it was brief). There’s a lot of singing; then the three monsters have a big throw down and even includes some gore.

　

Shin Godzilla 2016

 

This is the new retelling, and in retelling I mean bigger, badder, and angrier than any other. This movie’s Godzilla is a constantly evolving monster that goes from being little more than a giant tail to the monstrosity bent on destruction. Some don’t like this because this new Godzilla has way too many powers and doesn’t look the same; the whole split mouth laser breath, and laser fins. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, one thing is true, it is a fun ride to watch.

　

Son of Godzilla 1967

Yes this one is geared toward kids more than adults, but it is still a pretty good movie. This movie introduces Godzilla’s son Minilla(Godzooky is from the cartoon, same character different name). We get to see how giant monsters raise kids, so remember when in doubt, stomp his tail. The plot is just that in a nutshell, an introduction to Godzilla Jr. It is funny, cute, corny, and the fights are rubber-tastic.

Destroy All Monsters 1968

The humans have captured or sent all the monsters to a large island(Monster Island, how original) to be studied and live freely away from people. A cloud comes over the island and puts everyone to sleep. Then when the scientists wake up the monsters are gone, but then they begin to appear all across the globe, destroying different cites . We find out aliens(Japanese love aliens) are controlling the monsters, and want to conquer earth. It all culminates in a giant fight at the foot of Mt. Fuji. All your favorite giant monsters are here. So grab a snack and root for your favorite monster.

Godzilla 1954

Of course this one is listed. How could you not have a list without the original. However this one is strait up horror. Their are no funny, goofy, or cheesy parts at all. It’s the most thoughtful Godzilla picture by far, and the cinematography wonderfully emphasizes Godzilla’s size and power as a destructive force of nature. It still has the big guy stomping, chomping, and burning his way through the countryside, so it is a win. So remember Godzilla is the enemy(supposable) in this one.

Godzilla Raids Again 1955

I admit this one is slow, but like the original; it plays as if 2 real giant monsters would fight(not the sometimes corny way later films do), and the damage they would produce. This one has Godzilla and Anguirus(which is the first of Godzilla’s many enemies) destroying both the city and themselves seeing who is the greatest monster of all. This is just strait up fighting between 2 big monsters and that is the reason why it is on the list.