Godzilla 1985: The Legend Is Reborn (1984) {American Version} (2)

Director: Koji Hashimoto, R.J. Kizer

Stars:Raymond Burr, Ken Tanaka and Yasuko Sawaguchi

 Genre:  Action | Drama | Horror

MPAA Rating: PG

Running Time: 82 Mins

Tagline: "Your favorite fire-breathing monster... Like you've never seen him before"

Siskel and Ebert review

OH NO ITS GODZILLLA!!!!!

GODZILLA IS BACK!!!

Yes folks, that’s right our beloved green dude is back to destroy Tokyo one more time. I actually feel bad for Tokyo, they are always been attacked by monsters, cataclysms and shit. If I lived in Tokyo, and Godzilla made and attack, I would move my ass out of there quickly...Like Chop Chop!

For its 29^th anniversary TOHO decided it was time to re-start the Godzilla franchise. This installment ignores all previous Godzilla movies, except the original Gojira film (King of the Monsters). I was actually excited to see this movie, I had never gotten the opportunity because it wasn’t available on DVD (it actually still isn’t available) I was able to watch this film due to the fact that they had it for sale at a Supercon Convention here in Miami. The version I obtained included both the American Version (which I am reviewing) and the original unaltered Japanese Cut. I still need to see the Japanese version, but I can say that the American cut is pretty lame. The U.S. version, which I know of, was edited and shortened in length. New World Pictures (the distributors of the film) also contracted Raymond Burr to reprise his roles as Steve Martin; funny how in the film they only refer to him by Martin. The reason for them doing that was the fact that Steve Martin, the actor, had become popular and they didn’t want to cause confusion.

As for the film itself, Godzilla has been dormant for too long, he needs to crush some Godamn buildings! Taking place some 29-30 years after the first Godzilla film, Tokyo has recovered after what Godzilla did before. But guess what? They will have to start rebuilding again! Godzilla is in for the kill!  Man I am full of one liners here today, aren’t I? Well keep in mind that Godzilla movies are never to be taken seriously; they are pure entertainment.

So after Godzilla raids again into town, the Japanese and the Americans unite forces to stop the eminent attack.  Even though I am content that they brought back Raymond Burr, I wish he had taken his role more seriously. Most of his lines are just lifeless, and pretty bland. I really think that they didn’t do any second takes, at all. Even Ebert mentioned this back in 1985. He said that it felt as if Raymond Burr did all his scenes in one day. Keep in mind though that Godzilla was shot in Japan, all the other scenes with English dialogue was shot here in the states much later. 

Aside the fact that Godzilla returns and destroys half of Tokyo (as he always does, has nothing better else to do) there really isn’t much else to say about the flick. They do have a scene where a special flying device is used to attack Godzilla and kill him (momentarily at least) the rest is very familiar. I prefer usually the Godzilla flicks that involve him fighting other monsters…it’s more badass, at least for me that is.  A great thing about this Godzilla film is the effects, they improve over the other installments effects. Ofcourse with the advent of CGI they could make it a lot more lavish and lucrative…right? Well take a good look how they fucked up the the character in Roland Emmerich’s 1998 Godzilla.  To wrap up I am positive that the Japanese version is far superior than the American re-cut. I am sure you can find the DVD either online or through a vendor at a convention. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed the review. I will leave some trailers from the film, a review from Roger Ebert and another review from the angry video game nerd.