Monster Discussion #44: Godzilla (1984-1994)

[UltramanGoji]

This is the discussion thread for the Godzilla featured in the Heisei series.

For those not in the know...
Do I even need to say anything? You know who this is!

[Space Hunter M]

Bolky, not fat.

[Missingno.]

Still prefer the '84 suit (save for a few shots of the face) over those that followed.

[Dannybeane]

I'm all about that Biollante suit. The 84 suit has its charm as well.

[Castellan Zilla]

Still prefer the '84 suit (save for a few shots of the face) over those that followed.

Gotta agree here. Only Heisei suit I liked. Always loved the placement of the spines too.

[Missingno.]

Still prefer the '84 suit (save for a few shots of the face) over those that followed.

Gotta agree here. Only Heisei suit I liked. Always loved the placement of the spines too.

I feel the same here regarding the way the spines were placed. The suit overall just looks like "Godzilla". Bulky, slow-moving, angered look in the face, etc., that is all what is represented in this suit, while the later ones didn't quite have that feeling of being Godzilla as this one did. It is definitely what comes to mind when I think of the character.

Also regarding the appearance of Godzilla changing between '84-'89 through what has been said somewhere on this site before:

"Apparently, volcanoes are good plastic surgeons."

[Space Hunter M]

I actually think the GhidoGoji is an improvement over the Biollante suits. It seems better proportioned and more regal looking I guess.

[Castellan Zilla]

I've always felt that way myself. I've never understood the love for the G89 suit. Hell, it's in an awesome movie, but going with those similar looking Heisei designs, I prefer '91.

[UltramanGoji]

The 89 suit, as shown in the OP picture, looks kind of squat. Like a squished version of the 91 suit.

[g2vd]

While all the Heisei designs are very similar to each other they're not as similar as people say I can always figure out which one is which they're not identical as some have said.

89 has no lines on his neck and is not as fat as later incarnations.
91 has no lines and is more muscular with a longer neck, different eyes and a bigger more defined longer chest.
92 starts the neck line trait, is Skinner than later incarnations but also looks more stunted than the others.
93 is a fat ass with no space between the spikes they're all jumbled together.
And 94 is generally different enough from the rest that I don't need to explain.

I never understood why some people have trouble figuring out which is which, I find it as easy to differante the designs as it is for the Showa G designs.

[Dannybeane]

For me the 89 suit is the best of they Heisei because its all about the eyes. Maybe its because most of Bio-goji's scenes take place at night where as Ghido-goji's are during the day, but bio-goji's eyes disappear into the shadows of his face which gives him a more sinister imposing look. I love the Ghido-goji as well, but for me the 89 suit just barely edges it out.

[szmigiel]

The 84 suit was a nice attempt to recapture the look and feel of the 54 suit, but ends up looking to stiff and expressionless
In some shots and angles I like the 89 suit the best, and in other shots and angles I like the 91 suit better.
92 and later suits become to bulky.

[GigaBowserG]

Love the 1994/1995 suit. For me, the bigger eyes give it more personality; they add to the character, while still retaining a sense of ferocity. Makes it look more observant and intelligent.

Come to appreciate the 1989 suit more as well. I love how the eyes look black and completely feral in nighttime scenes, it's pretty chilling. But on the contrary, I don't like the 1991 suit much. Ironically, I find it too built, especially in the legs. The top of the head looks like it has a big bump at most angles and is somewhat distracting.

[Giga Kaiju]

My favorite Godzilla, 1984-1991-wise of the series. Memorable, fierce, cool and overall awesome.

[LegendZilla]

Could you start a discussion thread for Super Godzilla?

[GigaBowserG]

Could you start a discussion thread for Super Godzilla?

Even if he's under the Godzilla copyright, talk of the VG monsters might do better in the Video Game section of the forum, don't you think? This category's specifically for the films and shows of the various eras. That could be fun.

[Rodan]

I've always felt that way myself. I've never understood the love for the G89 suit. Hell, it's in an awesome movie, but going with those similar looking Heisei designs, I prefer '91.

Agreed. Godzilla '91 is one of my favorite designs for the character.

Anyway, Heisei Godzilla? I like that he gets an arc similar to the second Showa incarnation, steadily becoming more of an ally and reluctant "hero" over the course of the series. But what I really like about this version is the element of tragic inevitability the films build up around him. From his origin revealed in vs. King Ghidorah to the way he meets his end, this is a monster destined to be victimized and used by the various humans in a position to do so, both by design and by accident. Fitting for a walking nuclear metaphor, and all his attacks are granted an equal level of somberness. Only in the second half of the series do the movies really ask for sympathy, coinciding with the introduction of the younger Godzilla and Godzilla's shift into a seemingly more peaceful life. Even then, this is a universe where characters remember that he, you know, killed a lot of people, and aren't content to just leave things be.

The Heisei movies aren't my favorites, minus bright spots like vs. King Ghidorah, but I do think the series manages to do interesting things with his character as a whole.

[Godzillian]

Could you start a discussion thread for Super Godzilla?

Start it yourself

[3000]

89' and 92' are my all time favorite designs. To me Heisei Goji is the Godzilla i think of when i think of the character in general. Iconic and unforgettable design.

[LegendZilla]

Officially, this is the only Godzilla that demonstrated the ability to perform the "nuclear pulse" unless you also count G2K.

Is it possible that other Godzillas have such an ability locked away?