GODZILLA 2000
D: Takao Okawara (2000); Takehiro Murata, Hiroshi Abe, Tsutomo Kitagawa, Mayu Suzuki.
The G-monster returned to form this past year. No more computerized effects and no Matthew Broderick. The original guy in a rubber suit was back in action and smashing model cities on the big screen. Plus, all those dubbed voices were back in the mouths of Japanese actors to make this truly a nostalgic affair. The story begins as Godzilla is smashing things up while a pesky reporter and the Godzilla Prediction Network are in hot pursuit. This leads to some good chase sequences and a subtle introduction to all of the human players. While the GPN is truly interested in studying the big lizard in the name of science, government officials want nothing more than to nuke him. But as kindly scientist Shinoda (Murata) and Ahab-like militant Katagiri (Abe) clash, an alien has even bigger plans for Godzilla. The extraterrestrial wants to clone the monster using its regenerative cells (perhaps a jab at the recent American adaptation of the monster). Sparks fly, buildings are demolished, and human characters run like mad. It’s the same kind of material we’ve seen in past Godzilla films, but the special effects are actually decent in this one. The final battle between Godzilla and the alien doesn’t match up to his past bouts with Mothra, Rodan, or even King Kong, but it’s still in good fun. This was the first Japanese Godzilla film to hit U.S. theatres since Godzilla 1985, starring Raymond Burr. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 15 years.
This article appears in February 9 • 2001.