Loyal to zip-up Godzilla, Japan wary of U.S. remake

[yuiyoshida]

TOKYO —

The big-screen Godzilla that scared and thrilled viewers in 1954 was an actor in a rubber suit with a zipper up its back. And many Japanese fans still prefer that monster over a Hollywood version made in terrifying, full 3-D computer-graphics glory.

“American Godzilla is just a giant iguana freaking out,” says Mudai Nozaki, 30, who believes Godzilla is Japan’s greatest contribution to cinematic history next to “Seven Samurai” and “Kagemusha” director Akira Kurosawa.

His reaction is surprisingly typical among Japanese who have seen the trailer of the film, titled simply “Godzilla,” which premieres May 16 in the U.S. and in July in Japan. They wonder if the Warner Bros remake will be a tribute or an embarrassment for Japan’s monstrous legacy.

Japanese Godzilla-lovers say their iconic hero falls into a special phantasmal category called “kaiju,” which have more imaginary, far-fetched traits than what they see as more mundane monsters like King Kong or Frankenstein.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/arts-culture/view/loyal-to-zip-up-godzilla-japan-wary-of-u-s-remake

[randome]

1. They should have been more wary of the Millennium series of Godzilla films.

The original Godzilla will always be unique and enjoyable. But it's time to move into the 21st century. This remake won't be on the level of the 2005 remake of Kong but it's a step in the right direction.

I'll be seeing the movie tonight with my daughters, who are also Godzilla fans. (Go figure.)
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[yuiyoshida]

2. I can't wait to see it frankly,

And Some of the comments I have seen, how this monster is "Too Fat" an how the reason is because Americans are over weight, are just too funny...I think they really want to see an updated version, but will sit back and wait to see the results of this.. I think once they do, they will be hooked as well.

[randome]

3. I agree. They will change their minds.

When they do, I hope they have the 'nerve' to introduce new, recurring monsters. Mothra was great for the 1960s. Godzilla vs. The Thing will always be my favorite. But let's face it, a giant, magical moth with two fairies calling the shots? That doesn't work for me outside the 60s.

It's time for Godzilla to grow up in Japan!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]You should never stop having childhood dreams.[/center][/font][hr]

[JHB]

6. I think that mostly comes from toys based on the new movie design...

...and a handful of clips, where the head seems disproportionately small. Just fans over-nitpicking. It's not something that stands out in the actual film.

And besides, the Big G has always had thunder-thighs, right? Those costumes weren't exactly made to convey a "lean and mean" look, but something more like a walking mountain.

Further, it's not as if the Toho films ever treated him less than seriously, right?

[Buns_of_Fire]

9. He's not fat -- he's big-boned!

Besides, you know that's the problem with subway cars -- you can't eat just one! (I think it's the crunchy shell surrounding the chewy filling that makes them so irresistible.)

[yuiyoshida]

11. One thing I never understood about this form of horror film...

You never saw him eating people in any film. He always had a huge thirst for Nuclear power (and in the last film it was fish) But he never ate anyone. Stomped them, yes.. incinerated them with radio active breath, yes. Never ate anyone. In the 1950's film he was chewing on the train, but again we never saw anyone eaten.


To me a horror film is best when we see the ultimate scary thing, humans being eaten. We think of ourselves as on top of the food chain, until some monster comes along and proves us wrong. Godzilla was a product of the Nuclear age...it made sense that he had to eat Nuclear power...

[randome]

12. For all the devastation caused, you see very little blood, lost limbs, etc.

A more realistic depiction in the aftermath of a city-trampling would be thousands of screaming and maimed individuals. It wouldn't be pleasant but it would be realistic.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]The truth doesn’t always set you free.
Sometimes it builds a bigger cage around the one you’re already in.[/center][/font][hr]

[yuiyoshida]

13. In the 1954 film we did see this ..

and in fact, we saw people with radiation burns..(taken from actual film footage of victims from Hiroshima and Nagasaki). In later films as well..people scrambling to get out of its way. (Or out of the way of other Kaiju.) Its funny, not until PACIFIC RIM did we see people being eaten. That of course, was an American film. Maybe that made the Kaiju all the more scary...Big things eating people.

As a child, Rodan scared me more than Godzilla.


My mother tells me its because as a Child a Chicken scared the hell out of me..at a farm we went to. She could be right. I still have a fear or birds, but not so much as I once had. We had a parakeet in the house... perhaps my fathers way of making them not so scary to me as a kid.

[randome]

14. Of course! How could I have overlooked the scenes from the original film?

The third movie of the Gamera trilogy had a more realistic depiction of mayhem, IMO. People being blown into the sky by giant explosions. The Gyaos at the start that had its eyeball hanging out. Not meaning to glorify such things but at least it was more realistic.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[JHB]

4. That article is from a few days ago, before the release...

The “American Godzilla is just a giant iguana freaking out” thing was a fault of the 98 film, even to American fans. It was a perfectly serviceable "Beast From 20,000 Fathoms", but it sure wasn't Godzilla.

This movie is a kaiju of a different color.

[yuiyoshida]

5. If you read many of the comments

Many of them can not make up their minds. One wants a cute "kawaii" Godzilla while others want the guy in the zip up suit to come out of retirement. The funny thing is, as someone pointed out, despite their hard knock at CGI..there was this comment:

" also funny that Japanese fans should decry the CGI Gojira when one appeared in the opening sequence of "Always Sunset on Third Street 2"."

Many of them can not make up their minds what they want, and will not be satisfied ever...but perhaps they should just wait and see the movie before they make a credible judgement. Note: while we will get to see the Movie today, Japan will have to wait till next month before they get to see the new movie in the theaters.

[JHB]

7. Hey, so are American fans. There are one or two sourpusses panning it, but for most...

...this is the "Godzilla done right" movie (at least for coming out of Hollywood).

[yuiyoshida]

10. Everyone I know has been wowed by the Trailer...and it could be

The Trailer is the best we will get. I have seen that before.. some trailers better than the actual movie.. But I have a feeling this will be awesome.. of course, there will always be someone who will sit and poo poo it and call it crap. You can't please everyone.

[JHB]

8. It ain't the CGI itself, it's what you do with it. n/t

[AceAcme]

15. "A soul-shocking experience" - GodZ Vs. The Thing

Trailer