[YouTube video] Why You Should Watch Godzilla (And How To Start)

[Tek]

Obviously, this isn't a guide that any of us need... since we're all pretty big G-Fans in some form or fashion. But even so, I found this video refreshingly professional, slick and well presented. The Criterion covers, the scenes he chooses to show at just the right moment, and even the font... he really brings a touch of class to the Godzilla series. Great video for any Godzilla newcomer.

Although, 3 things that slightly irked me... but I'm mostly nitpicking:

1. Calling the Heisei series the VS. series, not once referring to it as the Heisei series
2. Recommending Godzilla vs. Megalon as an "essential" Godzilla film
3. Ditto Son of Godzilla, but to a lesser degree. I thought that film was fun. But hardly "essential"

Other than those 3 tidbits, really awesome video.

What do you guys think?

Edit: I think the best compliment possible is... after I watched this, I want to do a gawd damn Godzilla marathon on one of these rainy weekends coming up in the next month or so Really makes me want to revisit some G-Films I haven't seen in 8-10 years.

[Spuro]

That was a nice watch. Thanks for linking it.

So much negativity on TK with people complaining about all the things they *don't* like in the series, it's nice to have some unabashed positivity for a change.

[PitchBlackProgress]

I agree, this video popped up in my feed a couple days ago but avoided it thinking it’d be one of those trashy videos hosted by someone who had zero clue what they were talking about but I’m glad I decided to give it a watch.
I agree mostly with this. 8/10

[KillCrites]

Cosmavoid makes great content, one of my favorite guys on Youtube.

[JAGzilla]

Megalon may not be good, but it is a highly important icon of the franchise, at least in the West. And for sheer fun value, its final battle is real tough to top. I can see treating it as essential. 'Course, in my book, they're all essential, but still...

[Terasawa]

The “Vs. Series” label is, I think, primarily a Japanese thing, but it was used by fans here when those movies were still somewhat new.

[MechaGoji Bro7503]

Yeah it's a great video. It's nice seeing someone with a more objective approach.

The same guy makes great videos all around on other monster franchises as well.

[eabaker]

The “Vs. Series” label is, I think, primarily a Japanese thing, but it was used by fans here when those movies were still somewhat new.

And it remains very much my personal preference, especially as it gets around the problem that historically we're still in the Heisei era.

[JAGzilla]

I feel like it's potentially confusing for new fans, given that several movie titles from Showa and Millennium also contain a 'vs.' Continuity is complex enough for this franchise, you know?

[UltramanGoji]

I think labeling them as “Heisei” would be even more confusing.

[KaijuCanuck]

I think labeling them as “Heisei” would be even more confusing.

Confusing to non-fans with knowledge of the Inperial Japanese succession system maybe, which I would argue is a relatively narrow group, but not to the fans who care about distinguishing the film eras. It’s primary function is as a clear, distinguishing word, the source of the word is kinda just trivia.

[goji89]

That was a nice watch. Thanks for linking it.

So much negativity on TK with people complaining about all the things they *don't* like in the series, it's nice to have some unabashed positivity for a change.

But now are we not bashing the video about some things we disliked about that?

[Dv-218]

Damn, that was a surprisingly well done video- I love seeing a more objective point of view about this franchise from time to time. I agree with most of his points regarding where to start. This guy has some great content on his channel.

[edgaguirus]

That's a good video to bring in new people. The recommendations I mostly agree with.

[Dr. Professor]

Cosmavoid makes some fantastic videos. I highly recommend checking out the rest of his stuff.

[GojiDog]

That was a great watch, and I loved the perspectives he brought into his recommendations.

Picking 1954, Mothra Vs. Godzilla, and G2K as his three starting points actually makes a lot of the sense. The original, the best of the 60s, and a good starting point for the modern era without huge ties to continuity.

I also like that he pointed out that the Showa and Millennium films can mostly be watched in any order without a lot of concern for continuity. Even direct sequels like Terror of Mechagodzilla and Godzilla vs. Monster Zero are fairly easy to follow without having seen the previous film. The Heisei film is a bit of a different beast where it is almost an all or nothing deal, although I'd say you can probably skip the weaker entries (Vs. Mothra and Vs. Spacegodzilla) and you'll be okay.