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

33 Comments
By YURI KAGEYAMA

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33 Comments
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I agree with Yamashita, Godzilla needs to be "kawii" to some extent. He is not really a bad guy, just misunderstood and really pissed off. So he takes it out on Tokyo. Now, I wouldn't mind him knocking down Skytree. Godzilla and Tokyo tower are products of the 1950's and you can feel that. Also, he may have punished Tokyo in the beginning but latter he was a defender. And even though men tried to kill him, he just keeps coming back.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Okay, I'm absolutely wrong. Spaghetti Westerns are not simply made in Italy. The most famous are the well regarded "Dollar Trilogy" by Italian directing legend Sergio Leone. But they were also usually international co-productions that involved a variety of non-Italian studios and actors like up-and-coming Clint Eastwood. But the low cost aspect of filming in Italy still stands.

It''S ME,

Yep, I've heard a little bit about these things you call "previews." And I'm pretty sure someone once told me about the existence of, what's the term you used? "Trailers?" Oh, yeah. And I've also heard that some studios even go so far as to negotiate actual licensing agreements to sell (gasp!) merchandise. Genius!!

As for reviews, Rotten Tomatoes gave the new Godzilla film a score of 89%, only three points shy of The Avengers at 92%. Considering the demographics for both films are almost identical, I'd venture to guess the writers, directors, actors, and producers put together a winner. So I'm gonna' go watch it and decide for myself.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

LFRAgain May. 14, 2014 - 05:02PM JST

They weren't made by Italy. They were made in Italy. Because of low production costs. It's an important distinction.

That popular spaghetti western film was made by Italian talents. Clint Eastwood was nobody before that movie was released. Thanks to Italian spaghetti western , he became the international stardom. The plot wasJapanese again which was based on Yojimbo by Director Akira Kurosawa. Magnificent seven of American western movie was also remade the Japanese movie seven Samurais directed by Akira Kurosawa.**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Fistful_of_Dollars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_a_Few_Dollars_More

I am not a Japanese. However I was a fan of old classic Japanese movies. Except Magnificent Seven, most of the J movies made by US were not become good spaghetti movies as 1960s. Although I have not watched the new Godzilla, old Godzilla movie made by US was a total disappointment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It's got Bryan Cranston in it - enough said!

Pity most the Japanese population have never even heard of the masterpiece that is Breaking Bad. We have the local TV networks to blame for that, spamming the same old generic short-run dramas out each & every year...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

LFRAgasin.

You are aware about the previews before the official release, tons off trailers, reviews and footage from across the globe.

Also toys from the movie have already been released. The storyline, etc are well known entireties by now.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Zeppun,

Even western movies made by Italy were more entertaining

They weren't made by Italy. They were made in Italy. Because of low production costs. It's an important distinction.

And Godzilla vs Hedora (1970) was so cutsey and so far removed from the original pathos and severity of the original 1958 Godzilla as to suggest Toho forgot entirely what they had done before with their own creation. Hmm... A lot like people are accusing Warner Bros. of doing with their film . . . again, dare say . . . sight unseen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Can't be worse than the 90's version where Godzilla look like a T-rex which everyone seems to have forgotten

Even than the 50's version with Godzilla moving by strings and the strings being visible for all to see?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Zenpun, I believe the comment about most Japanese actors not being able to act is not in reference to older movies, but rather the steady stream of tarento-laden crap that is passed off as cinema recently. Seriously, when movie after movie is filled with Johnny's idols or moronic tarento hamming it up under cheap production conditions, can it really be called a movie?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Japan’s greatest contribution to cinematic history next to “Seven Samurai” and “Kagemusha” director Akira Kurosawa.

The 1954 is a classic, first time I saw it was at my Grandmother's house at around 1am when I was a kid and I fell in love with that radioactive reptile!

As for the US version, well I'll give it a shot, but the last time the US made a Godzilla flick it was awful!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I agree with the first Godzilla actor. I also have an almost complete collection of Godzilla films and I still enjoy watching the very first one. Toho made a big mistake when they thought suit acting was finished. No, it isn't. Just film a new Godzilla with a suit actor and you will see long lines of fans waiting to see it. I wish Toho would make another one. But, this new Godzilla just fill my need till Toho produces a new one.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I agree with the Japanese in this article and will never accept this new film as a true Godzilla film. It's very sad people think that certain film techniques are "outdated". What's wrong with "suitmation", as they call it? Seriously, modelling technics are advancing as well and you can combine it with CGI if needed and do something awesome every fan and newcomer will love. CGI is just something different, not better or worse, and it will never have the same effect as real action made in a real studio with real actors. And the Japanese really master it. My dream actually is a Japanese-Korean co-production, since the Korean really master special effects, have many great actors Japanese girls are falling for and it would be a good contribution to peace and mutual understanding between the two countries. Plus, Seoul never got destroyed in a Godzilla film yet (even Hong Kong and Sydney were), and it offers many tall buildings and structures as well. But alas, I'm afraid this dream will never come true.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

American Godzilla is just a giant iguana freaking out

Funny, I had the exact same impression the first time I saw one of the Japanese Godzilla movies (I think it had Gene Barry acting in it.)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Paul Laimal-ConvoyMay. 13, 2014 - 05:47PM JST75

As much as the American version may flop, I severely doubt any Japanese can make a live action film that's any good, simply because the majority of Japanese actors can't actually act.

Speed known as Keanu Reeves masterpiece has copied major elements of the Japanese movie called as Bullet Train of 1975. Leading actor of Bullet is Ken Takakura. According Keanu confession Japanese macho actors such as Toshio Mifune, Ken Takakura, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tetsuo Tamba are role models for his action movies characters. Keanu was a fan of that actors. That actors were not fans of Keanu.

Shall we dance remade with US version has also outstanding Japanese actors and actress acting skills. When I watched Gozilla vs Hedora back in 1970s, the ending was so emotional with cinematic climax . Godzilla sadly farewelled young boy and went back inside Pacific Ocean. The young boy keep running and calling loudly Godzilla until it disappeared totally.

Although I am not a Japanese, I totally supported nothing can beat Japanese Godzilla Charm, fearlessness and gangster manner . American Godzilla looks more like overweight Lizard and lacking the charms, physical expression and interesting character.

Even western movies made by Italy were more entertaining and exciting than American made cowboys movies. Fistful of dollars and For a few dollars more are still masterpiece as good spaghetti western movies.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Not like the last few Japanese Godzilla films were burning thru box office receipts. Tracking for this new Godzilla is currently over $60M opening weekend.

http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2014/04/strong-early-tracking-suggests-godzilla-earn-over-60-million-debut

1 ( +1 / -0 )

“I hope the day will come when a Japanese director can make a Godzilla movie again for the world,” he said. "

As much as the American version may flop, I severely doubt any Japanese can make a live action film that's any good, simply because the majority of Japanese actors can't actually act.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He carries a spare tire and has teenie feet.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not sure what the root problem is so many Japanese Godzilla fans have with the new film

He's got no neck! ;-P

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wait a minute!!! http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/welsh-director-spotlight-godzilla-premiere-7099952

Why are you guys blaming the movie capital of the world? It's not even directed by an American. He got funding for it yeah sure but looks who's at the helm.

If you're really going to hate you should be happy Godzilla is stomping America this time.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"American Godzilla is just a giant iguana freaking out," says Mudai Nozaki, 30

We can thank Roland Emmerich for this, to be fair. Still, someone might want to mention to Mr. Mudai that Emmerich's poop-fest was 16 years ago. The new Godzilla looks nothing like an iguana. Certainly, everyone's entitled to an opinion, but when those opinions are issued without ever having seen the source material being commented on . . . well, it sounds petulant and childish.

What I don't get is how much Japanese cinematic fans tend to contradict themselves. Each of the persons quoted above cites vastly different perceptions of what Godzilla is "supposed" to be. A figure of pathos? Lovable or “kawaii"?

A anti-hero born of nuclear bomb testing, he became a "cuddly" hero of sorts in the 60s. But no one in Japan freaked out about that. He grew to emormous proportions in the 90s, and no one in Japan freaked about that. His radioactive breath mutated ever so slowly from this ephemeral steamy substance to a glowing laser blast of destructive power. Yet again, no one freaked out. Heck, he started out as grey beast and now he's tinted green. And Japanese audiences loved it throughout, just as American fans did.

Not sure what the root problem is so many Japanese Godzilla fans have with the new film, but it's hard not to suspect it's rooted in the same things that compel many Japanese to wax on and on about their "unique four seasons," having the best rice in the world, and trying to get Japanese cuisine categorized as a World Cultural Heritage entity, while Japanese food police roam the globe to stamp autheticity seals on any restaurants off Japanese soil that dare to claim to serve "washoku."

Critics of this film have let the cinematic child in them die, I fear, preferring a nostalgic romp through memories of a Godzilla that never was, propped up by hopes for a Godzilla they wished he could be. Again, everyone's entitled to an opinion. But it does bear remembering that we are talking about a film where the the driving premise is not pathos, or exploring the human condition, or defining what makes a person (or a monster) a hero, but rather a humungous lizard that knocks over buildings for fun and occasionally tangles with other like-minded giant monsters.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Let's be fair here. SONY botched Spiderman 2 times already. It's only fair that Hollywood have some fun with Godzilla.

Japan ruined the hamburger. America can't get sushi right. Be fair!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Can't please everybody. If it bothers you, don't see it. Japan has their fair share of crappy remakes of western stories.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

dont see why they are blaming hollywood, the Japanese owners of Godzilla have the final say on how Godzilla should look like.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@gogogo

That movie being forgotten is a good thing.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If its a Japanese thing taken with a foreign perspective it usually isnt good enough in most Japaneses eyes. Japanese are pro Japanese for the most part. Sounds like these folks and probably many others just cant accept a foreign perspective. A clear indication of being narrowminded.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Can't be worse than the 90's version where Godzilla look like a T-rex which everyone seems to have forgotten

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Why not see it, then judge?

I have been saying that all along. People just want to bash the movie, NO one has seen it yet, but people can already criticize it? Childish.

Once again Team America saves the world from a monster/natural disaster/alien invasion (even those of Japanese origin).

Yup! What can you say? Life virtually imitates art, even Science Fiction.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Once again Team America saves the world from a monster/natural disaster/alien invasion (even those of Japanese origin).

From one review it appears as if the CGI sequences are few and far between, way too much pretentious filler of actors spouting off spiritual lines about the human condition.

I'll give it a pass methinks.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Seems like everyone has a different idea of what Godzilla should be. I think these fans should just relax and watch the film to enjoy it rather than to judge it. And definitely don't judge it based on a trailer.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I was hoping to see this while I was here, but I'll have to wait until I get back to the UK I suppose.

Funny how people seem to think Godzilla films stopped in the 70s... also funny that Japanese fans should decry the CGI Gojira when one appeared in the opening sequence of "Always Sunset on Third Street 2".

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I can respect a healthy bit of skepticism is always good when it comes to seeing how Hollywood handles Godzilla..but the people in this article seem to listing a lot of complaints for a movie that hasn't even been released yet. You know, judging a book by its cover and all.

Why not see it, then judge?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Even with all the updated CGI stuff, if does not have a guy in a suit and cheesy battle music than its not a true Godzilla movie

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Something gets lost when Godzilla remakes try be realistic. I prefer the campy versions.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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