Talkback: Godzilla 2000 Millennium (1999)

[GodzillaDude]

I have to say that one of the many, many, many things I love about this film is the characters. I love how they were written as likeable and intelligent people. I espically LOVE the concept of Godzilla Chasers.

Glad there is someone else that thinks so.

[DaveTheAnalyzer]

I enjoy the film, but it was a bit dull. The human characters were fun, especially Katagiri. He appeared to be in every fanfic on the Rodan's Roost site way back when. I've heard there was a manga adaptation, but apparently the change was that Katagiri lost his mind after Godzilla approached. I liked the film version where he just wanted to have a man-to-man showdown with the King of the Monsters with his mental faculties apparently in check.

[GodzillaDude]

I enjoy the film, but it was a bit dull. The human characters were fun, especially Katagiri. He appeared to be in every fanfic on the Rodan's Roost site way back when. I've heard there was a manga adaptation, but apparently the change was that Katagiri lost his mind after Godzilla approached. I liked the film version where he just wanted to have a man-to-man showdown with the King of the Monsters with his mental faculties apparently in check.

I do a pretty good (or so I think) voice impersonation of Katigiri in the english version!

But yeah I enjoyed his character as well.

[TokyoVigilante]

At the time, the film was kind of bland. But in hindsight, after almost two decades of Godzilla films dominated exclusively by the tired "Godzilla Task Force + High-Tech Super Plane" formula and Kaneko's cynical revision of the reporter archetype, the cast of G2K is charming in its sincerity and simplicity and really pleasant to watch interact.

The film is really spotty, though. Can't say it ranks particularly high with me, even considering the nostalgic value the movie has. But the characters are really noteworthy for breaking up the pattern started in the nineties that persisted into the Millennium series.

[SuperSaiyan4Godzilla]

At the time, the film was kind of bland. But in hindsight, after almost two decades of Godzilla films dominated exclusively by the tired "Godzilla Task Force + High-Tech Super Plane" formula and Kaneko's cynical revision of the reporter archetype, the cast of G2K is charming in its sincerity and simplicity and really pleasant to watch interact.

The film is really spotty, though. Can't say it ranks particularly high with me, even considering the nostalgic value the movie has. But the characters are really noteworthy for breaking up the pattern started in the nineties that persisted into the Millennium series.

What I enjoy in the film is the binaries of the CCI and GPN. If there was a sequel, I would have liked to see a tension between the two and how the politics work with them.

[Rody]

I think this film COULD have been one of the best in the franchise; if only Toho hadn't rushed this film, and instead taken another year or two to polish it.

[Gojira-Fan]

I think this film COULD have been one of the best in the franchise; if only Toho hadn't rushed this film, and instead taken another year or two to polish it.

Yeah, the special effects in the beginning were great, but you could tell they rushed the rest of them.

[Living Corpse]

I think this film COULD have been one of the best in the franchise; if only Toho hadn't rushed this film, and instead taken another year or two to polish it.

They rushed it to try and remove GINO from people's minds. Basically they're attempt to say "That wasn't what Godzilla is at all, this is what he really is all about".

Makes sense, unfortunately they probably should have waited cause now some people get this film and GINO mixed up. "Isn't Godzilla 2000 the one where he lays eggs?"

[Tyler]

I think this film COULD have been one of the best in the franchise; if only Toho hadn't rushed this film, and instead taken another year or two to polish it.

You could say that about any of them.

[Legion1979]

No matter when the movie came out, Toho would have only made it in less than a year.

[tymon]

^Yeah, that's the way it's always been right? Toho has always "rushed" their Godzilla films - difference is that the old school Showa crews were generally more talented and, apparently, worked better under pressure than their Heisei/Millennium counterparts.

I think the biggest mistep in G2K's effects is the overabundance of mediocre CGI. They should have used that money for more of those kickass miniatures and explosions they had going...and maybe an improved Orga suit while they were at it.

[kpa]

Since GODZILLA 2000 is airing today on the Sony Movie Channel, SciFi Japan thought it would be fun to look back at Sony's production notes for the film's US theatrical release...

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2012 ... ion-notes/

[tymon]

Awesome! This is one of my favorite kaiju films and it's always nice to learn more about it. Thanks.

[Gojira-Fan]

I'm surprised Sony would take this much time to make detailed production notes, considering they thought this film was only going to make around 10-15 million dollars.

I'm also confused by this line:

Takahashi notes that the design team was also challenged by the fact that Godzilla 2000 is filmed in the widescreen format. “We had more space to fill in,” says the art director, “and CGI does help in that regard.”

Godzilla films have been filmed in widescreen since King Kong vs. Godzilla. Are they talking about how Godzilla 2000 was filmed in 2:35:1 instead of 1:85:1?

[tymon]

^Yeah, I'm assuming that's what they meant.

[eabaker]

I'm surprised Sony would take this much time to make detailed production notes, considering they thought this film was only going to make around 10-15 million dollars.

I'm also confused by this line:

Takahashi notes that the design team was also challenged by the fact that Godzilla 2000 is filmed in the widescreen format. “We had more space to fill in,” says the art director, “and CGI does help in that regard.”

Godzilla films have been filmed in widescreen since King Kong vs. Godzilla. Are they talking about how Godzilla 2000 was filmed in 2:35:1 instead of 1:85:1?

Yes, they're referring to the fact that it's the first Gdozilla film since ToMG to be filmed in 2.35.

[Black Lion]

That was a really great read. I love how enthusiastic everyone is about the production.

I think I'm going to rewatch G2000 now and look for all those little details they mentioned

[Tohosaurus]

In an odd way I still feel this is one of the stronger Godzilla movies of the Toho 28. There are some glaring issues (disappointing CGI, etc), but somehow it all comes together and works pretty well.

[Showa Gyaos]

In an odd way I still feel this is one of the stronger Godzilla movies of the Toho 28. There are some glaring issues (disappointing CGI, etc), but somehow it all comes together and works pretty well.

I agree with that statement. The movie has its flaws, but it is a solid entry.

[eabaker]

While I wouldn't put it in my top 10 or anything, G2000 is a lot of fun, and has a few good concepts and one of the more interesting human ensembles of the Heisei or Millennium eras. I'd give it a solid upper-middle ranking.