Showa Godzilla films with best and worst special effects

[GodzillaDude]

The worst was Godzilla vs. Megalon

The best is a lot harder to decide for me...Invasion of the Astro Monster I think?

[Legion1979]

The worst was Godzilla vs. Megalon

The best is a lot harder to decide for me...Invasion of the Astro Monster I think?

Could you...explain a little bit.

[Space Hunter M]

For reasons people already stated, Godzilla vs. Gigan is easily the worst of the bunch. Megalon at least had the dam sequence, but then again, it was nothing new *coughMothracough*.

Son of Godzilla has some of the best wire and matte work ever seen in a Godzilla film. Battle in Outer Space is good in this respect too, although the matting is a bit still "meh".

[Godz]

My biggest problem with KKvsG's effects are the terrible blue bleeds on the matte shots.

Which nobody even mentioned in this topic. Funny how that works.

This is what I came here to post actually.

Also in defense of "Gigan", the pyrotechnics were pretty bitchin', Godzilla (and Anguirus) bleeding was done quite well, and something about the "rotting Godzilla suit" is charming to me, I see him more of an aging, battle weary hero by this time than a detrimental special effect.

My problem with "Megalon" is the stock footage overload. I like the suits for the fim for the most part, but, the fact that pretty much all of Megalon's rampage, be it city destruction (practically 100% lifted from "Ghidrah"), or battling the jet squadron (where his claws turn into Gigan's claws to smash the jets), and the maser attack ("War of the Gargantuas") is stock.

Also except for the scene where Gigan holds JJ hostage, and where Gigan gets tossed up at the end, Godzilla's breath isn't handled very well, as it doesn't even connect with the monsters.

Best effects? I'm a huge fan of the wirework done for Kumonga and Kamakiris in "Son of Godzilla", "Sea Monster" was pretty strong for the most part...."MechaGodzilla" was flashy and fun.

[Tamura]

I don't understand how stock footage or even derpy suits count as bad special effects. I mean, if a suit fails to give off the impression of a 50-meter high monster (e.g noticeable eye holes, visible strings holding up tail), then I guess that makes sense, but besides the suits from GIGAN being quite worn, I've failed to see any complaints of that nature yet.

[Goji]

^ Yeah, that's kind of what I was getting at earlier. How stock footage="bad", especially when a lot of that footage was good to begin with.

[Godz]

Because its bad editing when you can clearly see monsters that aren't supposed to be in the scene. There are even scenes in Megalon where the exact same set of buildings are destroyed, only the scene is mirrored so the text on a building is backwards. I consider that effects.

[Goji]

For the third time, how does stock footage equal bad effects?

It's how it's used, that's the problem, not the footage itself.

[Godz]

....did you even read what I said? I'm pretty sure EDITING counts as an effect, since...thats when most effects are added in, in the editing process....but just ask the same question again I guess.

[Legion1979]

....did you even read what I said? I'm pretty sure EDITING counts as an effect, since...thats when most effects are added in, in the editing process....but just ask the same question again I guess.

Film editing isn't a special effect.

[Goji]

WOW.

Yeah, editing is not a SPX.

[Godz]

WOW.

That makes you right, somehow. WOW.

Giving children the internet. Great call.

[GotengoXGodzilla]

....did you even read what I said? I'm pretty sure EDITING counts as an effect, since...thats when most effects are added in, in the editing process....but just ask the same question again I guess.

There's a reason that the Film Editor is never credited together with any of the Special Effects team of a film. Editing is not a special effect.

[Godz]

....did you even read what I said? I'm pretty sure EDITING counts as an effect, since...thats when most effects are added in, in the editing process....but just ask the same question again I guess.

There's a reason that the Film Editor is never credited together with any of the Special Effects team of a film. Editing is not a special effect.

Well if you want to split hairs, alright. At least you are presenting your point without sounding like a jackass.

But to that I'd say, aren't things like beam weaponry added in during the editing process? So where do you draw the line?

[Goji]

Way to be butt hurt about it. I'm not a "child", FYI.

You're wrong, and you know what? It's okay. It's not a big deal.

[Godz]

Way to be butt hurt about it. I'm not a "child", FYI.

You're wrong, and you know what? It's okay. It's not a big deal.

Nothing proves maturity like using the phrase... "butt hurt". You sure showed me...on the internet. You win, chief.

[GotengoXGodzilla]

....did you even read what I said? I'm pretty sure EDITING counts as an effect, since...thats when most effects are added in, in the editing process....but just ask the same question again I guess.

There's a reason that the Film Editor is never credited together with any of the Special Effects team of a film. Editing is not a special effect.

Well if you want to split hairs, alright. At least you are presenting your point without sounding like a jackass.

But to that I'd say, aren't things like beam weaponry added in during the editing process? So where do you draw the line?

You draw the line at something that is very clearly not an edit or cut in the film. An added beam is a special effect. A transitional wipe or jump cut is not a special effect. Also, effects and editing are done by two entirely different teams or people. And editing and special effects are used for two very different reasons. Editing is used to advance the story in a way not seen in normal life. To take a bunch of random, traditionally pointless images, and connect them together in such a way that shows some resemblance of a story and reality. Special effects, on the other hand, are used to make something look real that would normally be impossible, like an alien space ship or a monster attacking the city. To make it look like that normally impossible thing is actually real.

Just because something is done during the editing process (ie., post production), does not mean it's a special effect.

[Goji]

Quit your bitchin, Godz, please. Let's just chiiiiiiiiiiiillllll.

[Godz]

There's a reason that the Film Editor is never credited together with any of the Special Effects team of a film. Editing is not a special effect.[/quote]

Well if you want to split hairs, alright. At least you are presenting your point without sounding like a jackass.

But to that I'd say, aren't things like beam weaponry added in during the editing process? So where do you draw the line?[/quote]

You draw the line at something that is very clearly not an edit or cut in the film. An added beam is a special effect. A transitional wipe or jump cut is not a special effect. Also, effects and editing are done by two entirely different teams or people. And editing and special effects are used for two very different reasons. Editing is used to advance the story in a way not seen in normal life. To take a bunch of random, traditionally pointless images, and connect them together in such a way that shows some resemblance of a story and reality. Special effects, on the other hand, are used to make something look real that would normally be possible, like an alien space ship or a monster attacking the city. To make it look like that normally impossible thing is actually real.

Just because something is done during the editing process (ie., post production), does not mean it's a special effect.[/quote]

Well done. You've explained your position without sounding like a petulant 8 year old, and I've learned something.

[Goji]

So, let me see if I'm understanding this correctly. I'm considered a "child" because you're angry, and simply can't admit you're wrong about something that should have been obvious to you in the first place? Makes sense.

It's obvious I struck a chord, and you know what man, that's really not my problem. There was no reason to have a temper tantrum about this.

It's pretty easy to see where you "draw the line". Examples of 'special effects' are miniatures, pyrotechnics, mattes, optical effects, rotoscoping, CGI, stop motion, monster suits, make-up, etc...If we're going to go as far as to call editing a "special effect", then we might as well call the job of the art director a "special effect" as well. It's just really reaching at straws.