Favorite Godzilla Era?

[GotengoXGodzilla]

Bark at the Moon.

::Gawdziller blows whistle::

Foul: Humor failure. Ten yard penalty. Third down.

Officials would like to warn GXG that another epic fail of that magnitude will forfeit the debate and he will be benched the rest of the season.

What? I thought it was funny. Its what I thought whenever saw the title for Transformers 3. Besides, it's not like I dwelled on it.

Heck, I'm not even the first one to say that *cough*Spoony*cough*.

What I think GxG is trying to say, is that you should think and analyze rather than just be entertained with no thought.

Yes, this is what I've been trying to say. Thank you Gojira-Fan.

In case I haven't made it clear through the way I've been typing or what I've been talking about, I'm pursuing a career in Film Criticism, and working my way up to being a film critic. I enjoy analyzing films and critiquing films, and I believe I do a pretty good job at it. And the main thing that got me into my love of film are the Godzilla films. I've watched them more than any other films I can think of, and they mean a lot to me. And as an aspiring film critic, I often find myself analyzing and critiquing the films that I enjoy, including the Godzilla films. And believe it or not, there are Godzilla films that often look great when looking with a critic's eye, such as Mothra vs. Godzilla and Son Of Godzilla.

I personally believe that you can apply critical thinking to any film ever made, no matter what that film's intentions may be. Some films will look great, some will look terrible, others will be somewhere in the middle. But whatever the case, I enjoy analyzing and critiquing films, especially the Godzilla films. I find it much more enjoyable then just being simply "entertained" by it. It engages my thoughts, makes me think of what of the creators had to go through to get these films made, and what the creators thought of their own work when they were finished. And when hard work shows off on screen, it pays off for the filmmakers, because they earn my respect. That makes the viewing experience all the better.

[edgaguirus]

A film doesn't need a message or subtext to be good. What does matter is the quality. In the Showa era, you have good scripts and actors. They made characters you could care about and connect with. The early Hesie era did a similar job, but subsequent films were lacking in some aspects of this. Miki did provide an interesting character, and G vs Destroyah gave Godzilla an emotional moment that made him seen almost human.

GMK offered a quality film, but other Millenium films weren't much to think about. They entertained, but lacked that quality.

[EikoHarvey]

I hope we all know we're talking about "favorite" not "best"

[GodzillaDude]

I hope we all know we're talking about "favorite" not "best"

I am aware of that but for some its turned into a deep analysis on which is the best. But some are just giving good and detailed explanations on why it is their favorite like I, GxG and a few others have done for example.

[GotengoXGodzilla]

I hope we all know we're talking about "favorite" not "best"

And I've been saying that the Showa series is my favorite, because it had the majority of the best quality films.

[Sydney Aradi]

A good number of heisei films are (legally) up on crackle if you ever want to see them.

The man speaks the truth:

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah: http://www.crackle.com/c/godzillavskingghidorah
Godzilla vs. Mothra: http://www.crackle.com/c/Godzilla_vs._M ... 49080?c=US
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II: http://www.crackle.com/c/Godzilla_vs._M ... 79428?c=US
Godzilla vs Spacegodzilla: http://www.crackle.com/c/Godzilla_vs._S ... 49112?c=US
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah: http://www.crackle.com/c/Godzilla_vs._D ... 49082?c=US

I know they are on crackle. However, they are all English dubbed, and I would rather get a bootleg with subs than watch them online dubbed.

Anyway, about interpretations of films, and why they are made ect. You see, one can interpret any sort of meaning from art (that includes films). Or you can interpret nothing. There is a famous quote from Stanley Kubrick, saying that he never wanted to state his intention with his films because he would rather audiences get what they wanted out of his movies. Each individual interprets something in his or her own way. Because of this, nothing is universally bad or good, and anyone can get whatever interpretation of a film they come to.

If your just watching a Godzilla movie to be entertained, that's fine. However, a more scholarly view, like GxG is taking I think is admirable. These movies have rarely ever got any attention like that in the past due to their reputations. I think that's neat.

It can also be revealing as to why movies make you feel the way they do. This is important in terms of film studies as well as for filmmakers as to explore what techniques make an audience feel a certain way.

I love Manos: The Hands of Fate, and I think it's great that you mentioned that Dr. Nishiyama. Everyone says that movie is crap, but I ended up loving it. I love the obvious comic value, but I think parts are the film are somewhat psychologically disturbing. As well, I love the story behind the film. The idea of these people with little or no film experience going out into the El Paso desert, only to end up making this little oddity is compelling.

The film really opened my eyes. It made me ask the question, what makes a movie good? I enjoyed this movie, even though people say it's one of the worst movies of all time. Yet, it has a sizable audience of people who watch and remember it fondly.

The movie did two important things: Engage the audience and make them remember the movie. I think those two things are the most important qualities a movie can have. And a movie can do those two things in different ways.

What I think GxG is trying to say, is that you should think and analyze rather than just be entertained with no thought. I think that is one of the big problems with these movies is that they are under appreciated by the audience.. People just think of them as dumb cheesy monster movies, and don't think about them as films. Or there are people who just watch for the monsters, which is fine, and goes along with the whole "just entertainment" value that people watch these movies for. However, if one wants to really appreciate the art of filmmaking, watching the films in an analytical manner can be greatly rewarding.

I'd rather watch movies without overthinking about them in a film scholarish manner thank you very much

[Viva la revolucion!]

HEISEI!

It has Spacegodzilla, Desotoroyah, Meltdown G, Godzilla Jr, Fire Rodan and SUPER Mechagodzilla- Nuff said.

[Gojira-Fan]

Sydney Aradi, that's fine. I never said that being entertained by a film is a bad thing. But for people that are interested in film, thinking about how a film is constructed is an enjoyable experience, not a chore.

[Hellspawn28]

The Showa Series had the best direction and characters. They all have a great charm to them and it feel like the Showa era was when Toho as at their prime.

[Gojisan866]

Had to go with Showa. Many of my favorite movies were released in the Showa era, and they all have this great charm to them. The Heisei and Millennium eras were much more serious than any of the Showa movies (excluding the first, obviously).

[Legionmaster]

Asking what my favorite era is is like asking me what my favorite race is. Every ethnicity has its babes, and every era has its enjoyable movies.

[Bentley]

Showa by far. Quality is excellent, narratives are quite varied and helped to establish later models, interesting monsters -arguably the best designs from all the series- and downright better movies. There are great examples in each of the other generations but given its sheer amount of movies I think it is hard to go against Showa.

Heisei as a whole serial story has its merits, the 2000 era is all over the place but still fun.

[RedZillaKing]

Asking what my favorite era is is like asking me what my favorite race is. Every ethnicity has its babes, and every era has its enjoyable movies.

I voted Showa because most of my favorite monsters are Showa monsters, but this response wins the thread.

Besides, in my opinion the Showa era films stopped being good after Destroy All Monsters, and started again right before the 10 year hiatus. I'd rather watch Godzilla Raids Again and Godzilla vs. Mothra before I'd watch Hedorah and Gigan. Of the 90s films I really enjoy vs. Ghidorah and vs. Mechagodzilla. I can tolerate Spacegodzilla and Destoroyah. The only one I find borderline unwatchable is G vs. Mothra. And again, I'd watch that over Gigan and Hedorah.

Of the Millenium Era I only really dislike Final Wars. And I love the Kiryu films.

[Gojira1963]

I love all the series and I grew up in the 60s and 70s so I have a great affection for the Showa series. However I am unapologetic a special effects junkie and I like the Millennium series because of their special effects and the stories have a more serious tone for the most part and are not as campy.

[Cimmerian Dragon]

Of the Millenium Era I only really dislike Final Wars. And I love the Kiryu films.

Pretty much the same for me, though Megaguirus doesn't appeal much. GMK and G2K are great, but I absolutely love the Kiryu story. If you take GxMG on its own, it's a bit exposition heavy, and Tokyo SOS can be accused of being nothing but one long battle scene. However, watch them as one story with the first being the setup and the second being the climax, and I think the pacing works very well.

And seriously, they actually made me care about the feelings of a giant, weaponized, cybernetic dinosaur. I have to give the writers kudos for that!

[GodzillaDude]

I loved the Kiryu Saga especially Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. Good acting, story and characters. I really liked and related to the character of Akane in the first one (Against Mechagodzilla). To bad she didn't have much of a role in S.O.S.

EDIT: To be more specific about my favorite era and after reconsidering a lot of it the list ranks like this...
1. Millennium
2. Heisei
3. Showa

Millennium is now #1 instead of Heisei for multiple reasons. For example I like ALL films from Millennium where as there was a pretty lackluster film in the Heisei era titled "Godzilla & Mothra the Battle For Earth". Another reason is that my favorite Godzilla film GFW is in the Millennium era, another reason is that Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is a very close second thanks to the good acting, Godzilla suit but mainly the character of Akane who I thought was a very interesting and potentially deep character. She should have been further explored in Tokyo S.O.S. instead of the smaller brief role she got. Plus I got into Godzilla by watching the Millennium films. Millennium is just the most consistent for me. And well I know I will and have already gotten some heat for this...I really don't care for the Showa to much mainly due to the constant campy feel in a lot of the films the only two films I actually think are more than just bad or okay in the Showa era are Gojira and Son of Godzilla everything else I wouldn't really care to much if I didn't see any of them again.

[Legion1979]

I really don't care for the Showa to much mainly due to the constant campy feel in a lot of the films the only two films I actually think are more than just bad or okay in the Showa era are Gojira and Son of Godzilla everything else I wouldn't really care to much if I didn't see any of them again.[/b]

W...t...f....?

So Mothra vs Godzilla, Ghidrah and Monster Zero hover somewhere between "just bad" and "okay" for you?

[Sydney Aradi]

I loved the Kiryu Saga especially Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. Good acting, story and characters. I really liked and related to the character of Akane in the first one (Against Mechagodzilla). To bad she didn't have much of a role in S.O.S.

EDIT: To be more specific about my favorite era and after reconsidering a lot of it the list ranks like this...
1. Millennium
2. Heisei
3. Showa

Millennium is now #1 instead of Heisei for multiple reasons. For example I like ALL films from Millennium where as there was a pretty lackluster film in the Heisei era titled "Godzilla & Mothra the Battle For Earth". Another reason is that my favorite Godzilla film GFW is in the Millennium era, another reason is that Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is a very close second thanks to the good acting, Godzilla suit but mainly the character of Akane who I thought was a very interesting and potentially deep character. She should have been further explored in Tokyo S.O.S. instead of the smaller brief role she got. Plus I got into Godzilla by watching the Millennium films. Millennium is just the most consistent for me. And well I know I will and have already gotten some heat for this...I really don't care for the Showa to much mainly due to the constant campy feel in a lot of the films the only two films I actually think are more than just bad or okay in the Showa era are Gojira and Son of Godzilla everything else I wouldn't really care to much if I didn't see any of them again.

Sometimes, camp isn't a bad thing.

#JustSayian

[GodzillaDude]

W...t...f....?

So Mothra vs Godzilla, Ghidrah and Monster Zero hover somewhere between "just bad" and "okay" for you?

Those films managed to reach the level of okay for me with Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster being my favorite out of that selection.

Sometimes, camp isn't a bad thing.

#JustSayian

It's not always terrible but just not my particular taste.

[Legion1979]

It's not always terrible but just not my particular taste.

See, the funny thing is that most of the Showa series actually aren't camp at all.