Talkback Thread #3: King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)

[Arrow]

For years, this was one of my least favorite Godzilla films. It was unappealing, badly scored, poorly acted and written and badly edited. Then I watched the Japanese version. Holy crap, the Japanese version is over a kabimillion times better. The acting is funny, the humor is slick, the music is outstanding and some of Ifukube's finest, the special effects are....a mixed bag but the good stuff is really good. I enjoyed this film a whole lot once I saw it in Japanese and I have since vowed never to watch the US abomination again. It's the only time I can think of where an Americanization almost destroyed a Godzilla film beyond repair.

Neither Godzilla Raids Again nor King Kong vs. Godzilla will ever be my favorite Godzilla film, but watching the things in Japanese makes you feel as if you're watching the thing for the first time. It's awesome.

[Legion1979]

^My sentiments exactly. Anyone who says this is a bad film and hasn't seen the Japanese version needs to shut up and try to find it. Like DaikaijuSokogeki said, it's a kabimillion times better.

[Hedorah]

I have seen the American one and actually still love the film, it was a great battle and I have it on VHS so yay!

[Gamera216]

I wish they would make another american version and make it exactly like the japanese just Translated and dubbed

[Hellblaze]

I still need to find the VHS or DVD on this on ebay whenever I get the chance and the other 2 to complete my Godzilla movies. I saw this from my uncle's who loves this film since it was his favorite. He had it on DVD and I watched it. Still it's one of the biggest debate over who won. To me I think both didn't win it ended in a tie since they're popular. I would love to see a remake of this when Big G comes back in 2014 back from his vacation. Really they need to make a remake of this movie that would be soooooo epic!!

[Gamera216]

Wait he's making his comeback in 2014? I didnt know that toho confirmed that he was even coming back

[Legion1979]

Wait he's making his comeback in 2014? I didnt know that toho confirmed that he was even coming back

They didn't. People just like to assume he is for some reason.

[Gamera216]

Well it is really a good thing to think because who knows if the new american godzilla film is crap we can believe we got something better to look forward to

[Legion1979]

Well it is really a good thing to think because who knows if the new american godzilla film is crap we can believe we got something better to look forward to

Meaning? Toho isn't going to start making Godzilla movies again if the LP movie fails. This isn't 1998 again.

[Gamera216]

Yeah but thay could be already having one in the planning and they might decide to make it

[Legion1979]

Yeah but thay could be already having one in the planning and they might decide to make it

Toho doesn't work that way.

[XxComablack1937xX]

I am surprised to see how many don't or didn't like this film. This was easily one of my favorites an one of the first Godzilla films i ever saw if i can remember correctly.

Ill be honest ''I hate King Kong'' i see nothing appealing about a giant ape an find it ridiculous that it could even hold itself against a T-Rex much less Godzilla.

Well i actually loved King Kong's suit in this film, It's so bad that it makes it better for me to enjoy Kong. Godzilla looked Good much better then he would in the later films. The cast wasn't great but rarely are in a Godzilla film, The Story if you can except Kong being the size of Godzilla is alright. The first fight scene was good... the fight's with Godzilla an the Military were entertaining esp when Godzilla break's out of the ice-berg. What bring's me to the best part of the entire film is the final battle between King Kong an Godzilla.

Probably one of the Longest, Greatest battles in the Franchise. It's like watching WWE with Godzilla an Kong... Godzilla tripping Kong with his tail, Kong shoving a tree down Godzilla's throat an body slamming him. This is easily the perfect description of (It's so bad it's good) kind of film. Had they tried to make this film more serious it probably would have been terrible.

I like everyone else hated that Godzilla lost as the American one was the first i saw, But after watching the Japanese film an hearing both Godzilla an King Kong's Roar at the end shows Godzilla did not die but swam away i was very pleased. Good score as well... Easily one of the Godzilla films i can watch again an again.

[Chris55]

Wait he's making his comeback in 2014? I didnt know that toho confirmed that he was even coming back

2012, not 2014

[Goji]

The U.S. version was the second G film I ever saw as a kid..and I loved it for years. The scenes of "United World News" always seemed to slow things down to me as a kid, and as I got older, I realized this may possibly be the worst Americanization of a Godzilla film. I didn't watch it for years until the Universal DVD was released, and even then, I longed to see the Japanese version.

Luckily, a few years ago I finally was able to get a hold of the original version, and I must say, it's definitely a much better film. The film works great as a comedy, and a lot of the performances are really humorous, especially the actor that plays Mr. Tako. I can't help but love Toho Kong..he's got a lot of charm, and the 62' Godzilla has always been my absolute favorite design. Just something I like about it. It's really a shame that this version may never see the light of day in the U.S...it forever gives the film a pretty awful reputation (even amongst fans) in the U.S.

[Hellblaze]

Wait he's making his comeback in 2014? I didnt know that toho confirmed that he was even coming back

2012, not 2014

That's Legendary Pictures not Toho. It is possible Toho's Godzilla is coming back from vacation in 2014 don't give out hope he's taking a little vacation if you remember the Showa time lines when he took a vacation and came back. Godzilla just needs some R&R and needs it

[Goji]

*posted in the wrong thread*

[shinmattiathekaiju]

i have the japanese version with english subs and what can i said about this movie?


the plot is not really well done but the special effects are okay for the time and i like the jokes of mr.kato,especially the dynamites one.

the actors gave a pretty good performance especially fumiko's boyfriend protayed by kenji sahara.
and the fight beetween godzilla and king kong is the part that i liked the most,one of the funniest fights i ever seen especially at the end where king kong and godzilla destroy a pagoda.

theres a part of the movie that shocked me: when the faro island kid smoke a cigarette i wrote this in white because is a spoiler.

in conclusion:king kong vs godzilla is one of the funniest godzilla movies and one of the best of the showa period,the only thing i dislike is kong's face but everything else is fine and maestro ikube's music is always great.

3,5/5

[Godzilla63]

My all time favorite Godzilla movie! I first saw this when I was 5, it was my 3rd or 4th Godzilla film. When Godzilla came out of the iceberg and towards shore I almost quit watching because I thought it was a baby Godzilla! But I got over it and it's my favorite movie. I was so scared when Kong and Godzilla were on Mt. Fuji and Kong was hiding under the outcropping ready to pounce Godzilla......never felt so much suspense in my life! I'd really appreciate if someone could list all of the differences of The American and Japanese version, so I can know how my favorite film can be even better!

[Dash 7]

A really great G-movie in my opinion, I love the fight scenes and Godzilla's suit looks beast!

[Mini-Godzilla]

Godzilla's first journey into color is very underwhelming. Even without the clunky U.S. inserts, the film plays as a rather limp satire that comes off as silly rather than clever. The suits are unforgivably terrible, no matter how light-hearted this project was meant to be. The two greatest giant monsters of all time deserved better than this.