As a die-hard Godzilla fan who’s been following the King of Monsters since the 1954 original, I have to say that the suit used in “Mothra vs. Godzilla” (1964) truly stands out for me. The way it emerges from the radioactive dirt, its permanent scowl, and the prominent brow ridge all contribute to a sense of intimidating presence that’s been hard to match. It’s no wonder this version of Godzilla was the antagonist in such a beloved film!
For 70 years, Godzilla has been a staple of Japanese and American cinema. First, there was the Shōwa era (1954-1975), which featured highs like Mothra vs. Godzilla and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla and lows like Godzilla’s Revenge. Then, less than 10 years later, it was rebooted with the Heisei era, which introduced new villains in films like Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla and reinvented older adversaries in movies like Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth.
In 1998, Americans had their initial attempt at depicting Godzilla in earnest through Roland Emmerich’s film, but the portrayal of the monster was quite different from what fans were accustomed to. Interestingly enough, Zilla, a nickname for this incarnation, will be featured on our list: The most impressive and least satisfying physical manifestations of the atomic monster.
As a film enthusiast, I must admit that this franchise isn’t the most scientifically accurate, but it certainly delivers top-notch cinematic excitement. The enjoyment factor skyrockets when viewers are able to accept the colossal atomic monster as sincerely as one can believe in a giant atomic beast. In simpler terms, I find that this series offers an incredible spectacle on the big screen, and appreciating the larger-than-life monster is part of the fun.
8 Worst: GyakushuGoji
Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
In the MonsterVerse, Anguirus could be a formidable kaiju for Godzilla to battle against or team up with. Fingers crossed it won’t be like their chaotic encounter in “Godzilla Raids Again.” Remarkably, even that brief scene of what looks like two puppets dancing around is more appealing than the original costume design for the main character.
What’s With Those Popped-Out Teeth?
The Godzilla from the movie Gyakushu Goji shares some resemblances with the more superior Godzilla from the previous film, Gojira. Firstly, it is less bulky than later versions of the suit, and secondly, close-up shots of its face were created using a hand puppet. However, the facial design is so distinct that the emotional impact doesn’t carry over from one film to the next, particularly since the puppet in Raids Again has prominent feet which are absent from full-suit shots. This discrepancy can be quite noticeable.
7 Best: MinusGoji
Godzilla Minus One (2023)
In simpler terms, the movie “Godzilla Minus One” effectively captures the horror aspects associated with the iconic Godzilla character. Interestingly, this version of Godzilla is known as “MinusGoji” among fans, which fits quite well. Previously, in the film “Shin Godzilla,” they also did a good job with ShinGoji, but it had multiple forms of the same monster. Although this variation showcases creative evolution for the IP, having multiple forms somewhat diminishes the impact of the main one (4th Form). However, unlike “Shin Godzilla,” “Godzilla Minus One” only presents a single Godzilla (except for a brief war scene in the beginning), and it’s incredibly well-designed.
It Does Look Like It Could Rip Down a City with Ease
In the opening scene of the first act, his posture is stooped over and he moves faster than he does later in the movie. This increased speed comes at the cost of size, but the film’s conventional cinematography ensures that the audience truly senses Godzilla’s immense size in Minus One. What makes this particular incarnation of Goji stand out is its dorsal fins. This is the first time they extend when he’s preparing to unleash an atomic breath, adding a powerful boost to those few atomic blasts.
6 Worst: MireGoji
Godzilla 2000 (1999) & Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
Following the conclusion of the Heisei era with the film “Godzilla vs. Destoroyah,” it became essential to introduce a fresh take, leading to what was known as the Millennium era. Out of the six films in this period, four showcased Godzilla with unusually large and pointed dorsal spines. The initial two Millennium films, namely “Godzilla 2000” and “Godzilla vs. Megaguirus,” introduced MireGoji, while the fourth and fifth, “Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla” and “Godzilla: Tokyo SOS,” featured KiryuGoji instead.
Trying Too Hard
The main distinction between the two designs, apart from the smaller head on the second one, lies in the color of their dorsal fins. MireGoji’s dorsal fins are eye-catching purple, while KiryuGoji’s are bone-white. This is why MireGoji received a less favorable ranking; even without the large spines, they didn’t need to be such a vibrant color.
5 Best: 84Goji
The Return of Godzilla (1984)
In simpler terms, the much-loved Godzilla movie, “The Return of Godzilla,” features the fan-favorite Godzilla suit known as “84Goji.” This movie, although not quite surpassing the original in atmosphere, is highly enjoyable. It’s paced perfectly, keeps you entertained throughout, and boasts a mechanical Godzilla (often referred to as “Cybot Godzilla”) for close-ups that adds to its fearsome appearance. Compared to other Toho Godzilla films, this one feels more like an event rather than just another movie.
Just Stick with the Japanese Version
While some critics have expressed reservations about the up-close scenes, what sets this film apart from the rest of the series is its unique approach – it’s the sole movie to employ something other than a suit or CGI (with the exception of the hand puppet used in the initial film). As time passes, this distinction becomes more and more apparent. Just like Kong in the 1976 remake, there’s an undeniable aura about it that can only be achieved by creating a mechanically constructed monster.
In this film, they worked to reestablish Godzilla as a threat once more, and his brooding expression effectively communicates this change in tone, which stands out notably given that the movie “Godzilla’s Return” seldom displayed the title monster.
4 Worst: ToraGoji
Godzilla (1998)
After more than two decades since Roland Emmerich’s Godzilla was first released, people’s views on the 1998 film have become less severe. Even dedicated Godzilla fans have softened their stance a bit. This change in perception is largely due to the introduction of Legendary’s MonsterVerse, which offers a more authentic American interpretation of Godzilla. It’s essential to view Emmerich’s monster movie as a unique production from the late 90s, rather than just comparing it to other Godzilla films or series.
Jurassic Zilla
The reason for this is that it strays quite far from the traditional Toho Godzilla series. For instance, the design bears a resemblance to the T-Rex from Jurassic Park, rather than Toho’s iconic Godzilla, reflecting the 1998 film’s aim to mimic that thrilling mid-’90s rollercoaster ride more than it was about creating a genuine G-film. Furthermore, this version is dark blue, which sets it apart significantly. Perhaps the most significant difference is its ability to run, something uncharacteristic of the creature in the Japanese films. In fact, ToraGoji runs more often than it does anything else…except perhaps eating fish.
3 Best: ShodaiGoji
Gojira (1954)
As a devoted admirer, I’ve consistently found myself inspired by the American giant monster films that have followed in its footsteps, but none can compare to the groundbreaking masterpiece that is Ishiro Honda’s Gojira. This timeless classic remains unparalleled among G-fans and film enthusiasts alike as the pinnacle of the franchise. The delicate balance between character development and devastating sequences sets it apart, with the former often taking precedence, if not equally so. The result is a compelling and immersive disaster movie experience, brimming with iconic moments that have stood the test of time.
The Original Godzilla Design
Moreover, in discussing memorable movie scenes, it is often ShodaiGoji that supplies many of these iconic moments. The essence of Godzilla’s design can be traced back to this very source, and it’s amazing how well the suit has held up after 70 years since its debut. Even the puppet used for close-ups of the head doesn’t appear outdated, particularly when it’s menacingly snapping at the flashing cameras of a hapless group of journalists who are clearly in grave danger.
2 Worst: MusukoGoji
Son of Godzilla (1967)
MusukoGoji suits the mood of the movie it was created for, Son of Godzilla, quite well. However, Son of Godzilla isn’t the pinnacle of the Shōwa era. Despite this, it’s not as low as the subsequent film, All Monsters Attack, which holds that distinction within the G franchise.
DadbodGoji
In a more conversational style: All Monsters Attack got one thing right by discarding the suit (except for promotional photos) and opting instead for the less comical SoshingekiGoji. However, it returned in the 12th Showa movie to feature the infamous scene where Godzilla and Anguirus have a conversation while swimming towards Japan. This scene is undeniably silly, even more so in the dubbed version. Given that the villains are cockroach aliens, that’s quite a feat!
1 Best: MosuGoji
Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
MosuGoji, portrayed in the movie “Mothra vs Godzilla,” fits flawlessly for numerous reasons. Right from its emergence from the radioactive soil, this incarnation of the Big G exudes a presence rivaled only by the original film’s depiction. From the lean face and prominent brow ridge to the constant scowl, it simply looks intimidatingly powerful. Given that he serves as the film’s antagonist opposite a highly endearing protagonist, there is no more suitable movie for this specific Goji to have appeared in.
It Looks Like It’ll Eat Ya
In the movie “Ghidorah, the Three-Headed Monster,” they redesigned the suit for one of the heads to appear less menacing. Given the direction the story was heading in the final act, this change made sense. However, the reduced intimidation factor slightly diminished its impact.
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2024-09-01 21:32