We think he's a scream. Really, we do. And we think you'll agree once you read our review. Along, of course, with the usual scattering of opinions from our counterparts across the way.
Here Comes Godzilla.
This year is his 50th anniversary.
Everyone in Japan knows the name. He has been in every child's dream for decades. He is loved by millions of fans. Some Godzilla toys have become priceless, rare collectibles.
Godzilla: Final Wars is the very last episode. The history of Godzilla is synonymous with the history of technological development in cinema. It is not an exaggeration to say that the end of the series may also mark the end of an era of Japanese filmmaking.
People's memories of Hollywood's '98 Godzilla production should still be fresh (Editor's note: Unfortunately). Would the original Godzilla be able to prove he is the real hero? (Imagine the headline: U.S. Godzilla vs. Japanese Go-ji-ra!) There's also an exhibition of the Japanese film industry's craftiness on full display, a stark contrast to Hollywood's state-of-the-art CGI effects. So how has Final Wars fared in the public eye? Several Japanese cine-zines offer their take:
Excerpt from Mainichi-Shibun On-line
http://www.mainichi-msn.co.jp/geinou/news/20040826spn00m200006000c.html
The '98 Godzilla, directed by Roland Emerich, was a mega hit in Japan. However, its style and design caused polarized responses from the Japanese film industry and original Godzilla fans. Director Kitamura himself also commented that it would've been simply more entertaining if you imagined a completely different version of Godzilla. For his final episode, Kitamura aims to showcase the pride and tradition of the "authentic" Godzilla.
Kitamura further states that he hopes to win over both Hollywood and hardcore fans by fusing the computer graphic monster with Gojira, the long-time favorite and costumed beast.
"I want this to be the best episode of the whole series, and I want to show the strong Go-ji-ra again," says Kitamura. "In this episode, he has a somewhat caring side and can be quite charming as well. I think even [the filmmaker] Emerich will find it funny."
(08/26/2004)
Excerpt from Goo Movies
http://movie.goo.ne.jp/contents/movies/MOVCSTD5941/story.html
The director Kitamura is one of the most acclaimed film creators in the
current Japanese film industry. His skills and leadership are widely accepted trademarks, not only in Japan, but also in Hollywood. The production team looked for a distinct creative flair combined with a sense of passion previously unseen in the series. When Kitamura was offered the job, he even postponed the Hollywood film that he had been working on, shifting his immediate attention instead to the 50th anniversary episode of Godzilla.
(Date not posted.)
Godzilla All Stars: A Review of Final Wars
Maybe advancements in technology transformed the entire film industry. The rule of thumb to produce a successful movie these days seems to be the use of computer-enhanced graphics, but think about it for a second: What happened to the skillful, handmade, craftmanlike special effects? These are not things of the past yet, at least not for Godzilla. The production team of Godzilla: Final Wars did not forget the importance of its long-standing Godzilla tradition.
The film is a clever combination of various elements throughout the 50-year-long history of Godzilla. In a way, the characters and monsters that appear in Final Wars comprise a Godzilla dream team. Kitamura must've had plenty of ideas when he was brainstorming for this final episode. There are nostalgic elements for dedicated fans but evidently, Kitamura has also managed to incorporate new storylines and characters as well.
Now that Final Wars is about to be screened in the United States, concern remains as to whether or not a U.S. audience can fully understand the inside jokes and hidden meanings buried within each scene. Even the casting decisions are strategic in that they play upon audience's preconceptions of the series. Also, one might have difficulty following the multilayered storyline without having seen other Godzilla reincarnations.
Overall, Godzilla: Final Wars is fun entertainment. It sure is a nice treat for Godzilla fanatics, and even those who are rather unfamiliar with the series can appreciate the film's artistic and aesthetic achievements, which include a littering of Japanese-styled special effects. Moreover, the locations are not restricted to Japan, providing an interesting perspective of foreign lands based upon Japanese nativism. The ending may take one by surprise, especially if he or she is expecting the typical Hollywood finale. After all, the point must be made that with all the environmental issues--pollution, plundering of natural resources, etc--created by humankind, it becomes difficult to truly define who the bad guys and the good guys are.
Godzilla has been hard at work the past 50 years duking it out with one enemy after another. Although the series ends with this episode, there will always be fans, and he will continue to be cherished throughout the world.
http://www.ryuhei-kitamura.com/