Godzilla (Gojira) (1954)

Given the primative state of the Japanese movie industry in post-war Japan this was quite a fine effort. The modeling and miniature sets used to give the impression of a huge monster stomping his way around Tokyo is very well done for the time and technology.

Ok, I'll give it two stars because of its unintentional humor and its cheesy special effects, but it's a pretty crappy movie. Better than all its sequels though, and way better than the more recent remake.

Probably one of the worst movies ever made but I still like to watch it cos its so stupid, oh Godzilla, ......

The most powerful giant monster movie of all time.

I truly believe that this is THE greatest giant monster movie ever made, second only to KING KONG. However, upon close comparison between this (the Japanese version) and KING KONG, it becomes quite obvious that both are completely different kind of films. KING KONG is, in traditional Hollywood fashion, shot as an entertainment piece, while GODZILLA, under close scrutiny is a testimony. A testimony made by the Japanese, the only people who have a right to depict the horrible devastation of nuclear disaster. It is that fact alone that fascinates us. It is that fact, as well as the endurability of the character that we all love. But of course, we must not forget the efforts given by the films master "dream-weavers." Tomuyuki Tanaka provided the concept while Ishiro Honda, arguably the greatest director of science fiction and fantasy makes "radiation visible." Eiji Tsuburaya's effects are excellent for their time although they do hold up quite well today. Akira Ifukube's score is entirely ... Read more