Koji Hashimoto

[Tyler]

Koji Hashimoto (1936-2005) directed two films for Toho in 1984, the first being the space opera Sayonara Jupiter and the other being reboot to the Godzilla series The Return of Godzilla. I'm still not entirely sure what Sayonara Jupiter is supposed to be about. It's pretty weird. Apparently it got him the job for Return of Godzilla, though.

I've only seen the Amerianized version Godzilla 1985 starring Raymond Burr. It tries to set itself up as a sequel to Godzilla, King of the Monsters (the American version of the orginal Gojira). It does a pretty decent job, but the right-wing Cold War agenda by the American distributors does muck some things up. What's up with the Russian guy shooting the missile? That was in poor taste.

Anyway, hopefully the original Japanese version of Hashimoto's only contribution to the Godzilla series will get an official DVD sometime soon.

Next week: Kazuki Omori

[DaikaijuSokogeki!]

I thoroughly enjoy The Return of Godzilla, despite its iffy acting and mildly slow pace. The movie is wonderfully atmospheric, powered up by Koroku's utterly fantastic score. A lot of enjoyment I have from this movie definitely comes from nostalgia, since its US version was the first Godzilla movie I ever saw and quite literally changed my life. So, I owe Hashimoto for bringing such an intimidating vision of Godzilla back on the big screen. If I wasn't awed by the Big G in this movie, I dunno how much my life would be different.

That being said, I also enjoyed Sayonara Jupiter. It's a fantastically trippy movie with grade-A SPFX and a great score. I'm not sure how much Hashimoto contributed to the film since there was another director, but I'm sure he was the one responsible for much of the movie's dark tone. Then again, the other guy did write Virus, so who knows?

I really wish he directed more movies, I think I would have preferred him directing the next few Godzilla films over Omori, to be frank.

[Tyler]

That being said, I also enjoyed Sayonara Jupiter. It's a fantastically trippy movie with grade-A SPFX and a great score. I'm not sure how much Hashimoto contributed to the film since there was another director, but I'm sure he was the one responsible for much of the movie's dark tone. Then again, the other guy did write Virus, so who knows?

I had no idea Sakyo Komatsu co-directed Sayonara Jupiter.

[Mini-Godzilla]

He did a solid job. The film's weaknesses lie mostly in its sketchy characterizations, not its direction.

[Red-Death Gigan]

Godzilla 1985 was my first Godzilla movie I ever watched, in 1986, when I was 5 years old. I REALLY want to see the Japanese "Return of Godzilla" version. I hear it's almost a different movie.

[shinmattiathekaiju]

Godzilla 1985 was my first Godzilla movie I ever watched, in 1986, when I was 5 years old. I REALLY want to see the Japanese "Return of Godzilla" version. I hear it's almost a different movie.

I have the japanese version dubbed in italian in VHS.

and also send me a PM if you want it.

[TokyoVigilante]

The movie has bad pacing, but this is one of the few films where Godzilla looks and feels truly gigantic in size. One of its strongest points is the atmosphere it creates, even if the film drags on a bit and the music is AWESOME.

While it's not the best, it does a lot of things really well; and it was my second Godzilla film, so it's got a lot of nostalgic value for me.

[shinmattiathekaiju]

For the american version,i would had add subtitles to the scene with the russian submariners and dont' take away any minute of the lenght of the japanese version and just add the scenes with Raymond Burr in the middle,making the movie long enough for american standards(almost 2 hours).

[DaikaijuSokogeki!]

I had no idea Sakyo Komatsu co-directed Sayonara Jupiter.

Yup, although Komatsu is billed as "Chief Director", whatever that means.

[Tyler]

Yup, although Komatsu is billed as "Chief Director", whatever that means.

Perhaps he dressed as a Native American on set.

[Godzilla 1995]

Yup, although Komatsu is billed as "Chief Director", whatever that means.

Perhaps he dressed as a Native American on set.

...What? I thought it was funny.

[Sydney Aradi]

Even though Return of Godzilla has its slow points I love how dark the mood of the film is. Its a true return to the meance that Godzilla was in the 1st film. The acting in this film may be a little stiff but the music and the effects are very good. I love the death scream that was added in the ending of the US version it makes you feel sad for Godzilla. I was around 6 when I got this film and for sure I thought Godzilla was dead at the end of the film

[shinmattiathekaiju]

1 dislike:Arrow?

[Godzilla 1995]

1 dislike:Arrow?

Matt, you probably need to explain yourself better than that. I knew what you were saying, but that was just wierd.