Movie Tournament Rounds 9-12 Archive

Gmk has my vote.

Better special effects, better script, better acting, Shusuke Kaneko the director, Godzilla is a terrifying monster wrecking ball. Even though it's overrated. 

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 1993 is a great film, It's too sparky for my taste.

Jeez, two of my absolute favorite films in the whole series. While I'm almost positive that GMK is the better film and will end up winning the round, I'll have to cast a vote for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, since it is my undisputed favorite.

GvMGII has a lot of strengths. It updates Mechagodzilla, making him a human-based weapon while retaining his lovable beam-spamming. While it's easy to criticize Kawakita's overuse of beam battles, I think it works in this film (Rodan shouldn't have had a beam too, but oh well). Rodan also has a nice updated design, though the prop used for him is far too stiff-looking. The BabyGodzilla suit has to be one of the greatest achievements of suitmation. It's incredibly lifelike and expressive, and Hurricane Ryu Harriken does a great job giving life to the creature. I also think the relationship between Baby and Azusa was handled remarkably well, and their goodbye at the end has to be one of the saddest moments of the series. I also applaud the film's use of blurred morality. The film has no true villain or hero, as at first it appears Mechagodzilla is the monster to root for, but as the film progresses the viewer is made to sympathize with Godzilla more and more and by the end is rooting for him to destroy Mechagodzilla. The film points out that humanity aren't necessarily in the right, and Godzilla has just as much right to live as we do. Some may criticize this as an example of the film not knowing who is the protagonist or antagonist, but I attribute it to changing the game up a bit.

I could sing the praises of GMK all day, but I'm sure a lot of other users will anyway. So, I'll cast my vote for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, since I'm sure that it won't get many more.

It's no secret I don't like GMK. I don't like the story, not a big fan of monster selection, and not a fan of the characters outside the major. The effects are next level, but that's the only quality I personally found to like.

I vote for Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla 2. I like the Updates Rodan design, the prop was stiff but it's my favorite look to Rodan yet. The baby Godzilla actually looks like a baby Godzilla, granted it's a Godzillasaur, but still. A nice look at Godzilla's anatomy, an updated Mechagodzilla with a nice background explaining how humans managed to build it. The monsters generally carry this movie for me, watching Rodan and Godzilla fight to protect the baby, Rodan's sacrifice, Godzilla getting a family member at the end. Yeah, it may not be my favorite movie but I find Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla 2 more enjoyable to my tastes.

Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla II all the way.

GMK was a strange film, great special effects yet, poor xecution of story, bad monster design atleast in my opinion, and extremely gruesome. I did not appreciate and or like at all Godzilla for no rason killing the women in the hospital, it felt like a cheesy horror film.

GorillaGodzilla,

That's the purpose of Godzilla in Gmk, the return of Godzilla, Godzilla 54', Mothra vs. Godzilla, Godzilla raids again. He started off as a killer. He was also a killer in the heisei films as well. Poor story? Lol. I think gmk has a more solid story than half of the heisei films. Poor monster designs? Maybe. Godzilla was evil looking, and Baragon looked great in my opinion. 

We can debate about this all day long, however, if Godzilla wasn't a killer or some mythical legend then we would have nothing more than kid friendly films. Nothing wrong with it. But, Godzilla is the embodiment of the atomic bomb and is our punishment. 

A cheesy horror film? Hmm. Then how do you explain Godzilla 54'? Godzilla may not have been intended to be a horror film, but the fact is, people who watched were terrified by him, and the message that carried along with it.

^I said the scene where he killed the lady in the hospital was like that of cheesy horror film, and i did not enjoy it, way too gruesome for my taste, maybe for your's but not for mine.

The other original Godzilla films kept it known that Godzilla was a might beast, but they kept it classy. No showing in great detail of a women in the hospital being visciously killed. Although they're was the scene where Godzilla kills the women and her kid in 54, still i did not see it as gruesome as Godzilla signaling out one lone women in the hospital and killing her. Perhaps it is just cause i am in Vetinary school which is like being an MD but whatever.

Well, I hope you're ready. Cause we might see more stuff like that from the new upcoming film next year. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Just saying that Godzilla is a metaphor.

Not trying to start an argument but, that wasn't gruesome. I've seen much worse. I've seen a baby child get tossed up in the air, fall straight to the ground busting its head, and then the monster from this film ate it. Durp004 should know the movie I'm talking about.

The Feast films are cheap, tastless schlock. If you find enjoyment in those, then I don't see how your opinion is even welcome or valid here.

Gruesome? Give me a break. The original film was much more gruesome and grim, and no other film has dared to venture near it again. You've heard every theme from the original Gojira updated and replayed in multiple Godzilla films... except for "Prayer for Peace." There hasn't been another scene filmed since the original of victims of radation poisoning or of the destruction dying before their sobbing child. The closest is 1984. I'll grant you, GMK wanted to make a point, and they strong armed the point without subtedly. But calling it gruesome is laughable. The original had a mother and children praying in an alley way before they were trampled. So give me a break.

This is actually tough. I'm not a fan of either. As I've said, I'm not a fan of the direction the Heisei films took. MechaGodzilla and Rodan looked absolutely laughable. Both downgrades from their original suits, and Godzilla himself was a new shade of awful himself. Much bulkier and with a less detailed head peice, he looked laughable compared to the earlier Heisei entries.

GMK, in my opinion, made terrible choices in both monster and designs. Godzilla himself... well, I have my reservasions. But the film committed itself to that design entirely. I can respect that. Just as we'll always see one suit and say, that's from King Kong vs. Godzilla, we'll see this suit and say, GMK. The thing is, if they had gone with the original scripted monsters, this movie probably would've been a solid favorite of mine. Baragon, Varan, and Anguirus vs. Godzilla, with Anguirus leading the fight... GIVE ME THAT MOVIE! Both Mothra and Ghidorah were downgraded from their origins and basically made out to be punching bags.

The score for GvsMGII was far superior... though, it was an updated King Kong Escapes bit.  But compared to GvsMGII, GMK was rather amateur. It's musical beats grew to be repetitive and annoying as the movie went on.

I'll go with Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II... and it was still close. I've actually retwritten this line a few times. I voted for GMK originally, but now... GxMGII.

GMAN2887 - Hmm...this is yet another complex decision. Before I answer, I must say that I greatly enjoy the thought these little debates evoke within me; rarely have I thought so intently upon such topics. In the end, I believe I will cast my vote in favor of Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla II. There was something, hmm, more driving about that film (in my opinion). :)

"The thing is, if they had gone with the original scripted monsters, this movie probably would've been a solid favorite of mine."

I have similar sentiments. While I still don't think it would be a favorite it would definitely been improved. Whenever someone wonders why there is such a gap between the Big 5(Godzilla Rodan, Mothra, Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla) and every other monster in the series this movie should explain it. Toho is willing to shoehorn those monsters into movies even if the roles go totally against their character and there are better monsters selected. I mean Varan, Anguirus, and Baragon 3 monsters that would have fit into this being smaller underdog monsters who have to fight against this unstoppable Godzilla giving it their all to try to pull through. Instead we replace them with some of the biggest baddest monsters in the series and just strink them down. Never before or since had Ghidorah been the smaller of the two between him and Godzilla, not to mention his lack of ability to fly or shoot his gravity beams prior to Mothra empowering him. I don't look at Ghidorah and think he fit this role in the slightest, it actually pretty much goes against everything he has ever been with the exception of being opposite of Godzilla. Mothra might fit the role slightly better as she has been essentially a guardian monster her whole career, but without the fairies there was just something missing, that and Mothra has won so many times she's pretty much lost the underdog status at this time. Just poor choice overall for monster casting, and took away some of the feelings that should have been experienced. I never rooted for Ghidorah because up until this point he had always been the stronger monster, or at least close to equal, and the fact Mothra who does decently well on her own had Ghidorah by her side made me not think Godzilla should have had a chance. The only monster I rooted for and thought of as the underdog was the only monster that was kept from the original 3, Baragon.

Ghidorah in terms of proportions looked really off to me too, Mothra at least looked good, but that would be outdone in the next movies to feature her Tokyo SOS. 

"The feast films are cheap, tasteless schlock. If you find enjoyment in them then I don't see how your point is even welcome or valid here."

@Wolfguy,

Just who do you think you are? Not once have I ever attacked you or your opinion so why in the hell do you think you can me or anyone else? Did I even say I enjoyed those films? No, I didn't. I was telling a difference in what I find to be gruesome when it comes to movies. My opinion matters just as much as yours and others. You don't have to like it and too bad if you don't. 

As for the topic, I'm sticking with Gmk because to me, it's a late 60's showa film.

Easy gentlemen.

Wolfguy,
Attack the opinion, not the opinion maker. There's no reason to make it personal and the comment was uncalled for.

As for GMK being a "much" better movie due to the monster roster, that's really become a shallow complaint in recent years. GMK has some problems and the roster is really the least of its concerns. It would've changed the dynamic, not the story. Hard to believe it would shoot up on most people's lists just because of that-- Especially after all these years.

Wouldn't shoot up the my list, but probably inch a few slots forward. As I said I dislike a lot about that movie, at least with a different monster rosters I could have been more behind the final fight rather than watch a monster I've basically been conditioned to root against get it's ass handed to it and just think eh. When you don't root for the good guys and could care less if they win maybe going as far as to hope they do it brings a movie down imagine having this mindset in other great movies, really changes how you'd look at them, when you don't have characters that fit the roles you can't immerse yourself as much into the film. 

Not saying the original was not gruesome, just I have never seen Godzilla single out someone like he did in this movie.

And they're were a ton of other flaws in GMK, they had Godzilla one time shoot a Atom Bomb atomic breath, and then every other time it is not the Atom Bomb so what the hell?

And the whole thing with the spirits of the soldiers in WW2 Japan rising in Godzilla was just wtf worthy, unless it was the spirits of the Allies then why would they attack they're own country?

And I know some love it, but Godzilla's design was just messed up. He had a big belly popping out, he looked like a demon (Which some people love for some reason) and it was overall strange and flawed.

And where did this whole thing of Godzilla always meant to be a demonic gruesome killer? Yes, he was meant to show and explain mans arrogance in creating the Atomic bomb but the versions of Godzilla where he is helping the earth is somewhat equal to the amount where he is blowing up stuff, well actually he is always blowing stuff up.

Godzilla Vs MG II is probably my favorite of the Heisei series. I love the monster action in it, I love the music, the characters are likable and it was great to see the return of Rodan. I would love to have seen a bit more mobility and dynamic movement from Rodan, and would have made him larger as well. All in all a very entertaining entry in the series.

Although there's much I like about GMK, I don't love it. I do applaud the use of a director outside the system however. I wish Toho had done this more. 

Some things I like:

The return of Godzilla to his more malevolent roots; in fact, probably the most ornery Godzilla put on film to date.

Baragon. Who doesn't love Baragon in this? Wish he was in it more. He's a pitbull; but completely overmatched.

The effects are pretty top notch. A step above what was being done.

The lack of pupils for Godzilla gives him a frightening soulless look. Shortly after the Tri-Star movie came out in '98, I did a pencil sketch of what I thought a CG Godzilla could look like. The version I drew had no pupils. I scanned it and e-mailed it to Monster Zero News, which is now Sc-Fi Japan. This was well before GMK came out.

Some things I'm not crazy about:

Making Ghidorah a guardian monster. Just not a fan of the three-headed planet killer being a "good guy". Speaking of Ghidorah, this is also my least favorite design of the various King Ghidorahs. I know he's not supposed to be fully developed in it, but it's just an unappealing look.

Altering the origins of the monsters in general, especially Godzilla and Ghidorah.

Both entertaining movies in the series, but I'm going with G Vs MG II here.

KOLDWATKID62 - I agree whole-heartedly! Baragon was such a cutie! It is too bad that he was terribly outgunned by Godzilla. Regardless, he fought on despite his handicap! :)

This is pretty funny how GMK has one vote, I would have expected it to do better seeing as when I first voiced my distaste of the movie on this forum I was looked at like I was a madman. I don't look at twitter, but if it's anything similar either Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla 2 has a much larger following that I thought, or more people have come to realize GMK isn't all that good.

^If I added up correctly on twitter and here, it's tied!

Power be to me for being the one! LOL.

Anyway, my concern now is at least 2 of my personal favorites competing against each other. We have a long way to go with this and I'm worried about what is to come.

For example, if Godzilla 2000 competed against say....Terror of mechagodzilla, then I would actually have to forfeit that round. I love both of those films equally. I could go into paragraph after paragraph of how much both of those films are spectacular.

Both movies have been overrated to the core. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II was once hailed as the "second greatest Godzilla film of all time" in the mid-90s. GMK was of course called that for awhile as well.

Both have fallen out of favor with that kind of hype, but I think GMK is far and away a better achievment than GvsMGII, which might be one of the more dull films in the series.

GMK's fans seemed to be on twitter as it beat Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla '93 11 to 8. Quite the round.

ROUND 10:

Godzilla 2000 VS. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

Like 'em both, but the nod goes to Tokyo SOS. Overall, a more entertaining film and pretty much a direct sequel to G Against MG, which is probably my favorite Millennium film. I really liked the inclusion of Hiroshi Koizumi's character, and linking back to the original Mothra; nice touch there.

This is a tough decision. Well, lets see.

Godzilla 2000 is a fun movie. I always liked Kenji Suzuki's special effects. The battle between Godzilla and Orga is actually some great kaiju fights. Katagiri got what he had coming to him from Godzilla. Godzilla's design is actually one of my top favorites.

Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S. is another great film. I actually feel like it was a remake of Mothra vs. Godzilla 1964 only with Kiryu thrown in as an almost afterthought. The special effects in this film are wonderful as well.

Both of these films are great. Both have some unique stories, exciting special effects, and Godzilla in both films in terms of design are great.

I think I will have to go with Godzilla 2000 but, barely. It was the first of the millennium series, Godzilla wasn't exactly a hero, anti-hero, or villian. I think Godzilla's role in the film worked great. He did his thing and no one complained. Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S., Godzilla wasn't a hero either or anti-hero. He was actually the villian in this film and the previous. However, Godzilla 2000 was released due to the fan out cry of Tristar's 98 tragedy and I personally enjoy Godzilla 2000 just a little bit more than Tokyo S.O.S.

So, my vote is for Godzilla 2000.

I'm not sure right now they both are basically at a tie right now for me I'll have to watch the movies again to see which one stands out more.

Wow this is close. I think I'll go with Godzilla 2000. I went to see it in theaters when it came out and I was like 4. It's one of the first movies I recall going to the theaters for.

This is a close one for me, but I think I am going to have to go with SOS.

While I really like both films, I'll have to go with Tokyo S.O.S. G2K is a really fun entry in the series, but it's very flawed and at times comes off as pretty mediocre. Tokyo S.O.S. I feel has moments where it is almost an absolute masterpiece, but suffers a bit from essentially being a rehash of Godzilla X Mechagodzilla with Mothra thrown into the mix.

But I really do think S.O.S. is a very good film. The callbacks to the original Mothra are great, and I especially love including Hiroshi Koizumi reprising his role as Shinichi Chujo. The human story really drags on at times, and aside from a few very memorable moments is really just a typical buildup to the final battle. The movie's final battle really is a great payoff though. It lasts for almost half of the movie, and features some excellent sequences. The battle between Godzilla and the adult Mothra is spectacular. Toho finally managed to recapture the magic of the battle from Mothra vs. Godzilla with some of the best special effects in a Toho film to date. Kiryu looks even better this time around, with a sleeker design and some even cooler attacks. The battles between Godzilla and Kiryu really don't offer anything new from the previous film, and that kind of prevents the film from being truly great. I think the film's ending is handled very well, providing nice closure to the Kiryu Saga and managing to be genuinely emotional. Not to mention that Michiru Oshima's score for the film is just astounding. I think it is honestly the best score of the Millennium series.

Godzilla 2000 tries to sort of simplify the series after the end of the Heisei series, but it really doesn't feel much different, as is to be expected considering how much of the old guard worked on it. The human cast is strong, but severely underdeveloped. For once, it left me wanting to know more about the human characters. The Godzilla design is great, but the execution leaves a bit to be desired with how stiff it is. Orga is a great new opponent for Godzilla, but again I feel he could have been executed better. The battle feels like it goes by a bit too quickly, and though it is an improvement over the beam-fest of, say Godzilla vs. Mothra, it's nothing really groundbreaking. The film's attempts at utilizing CGI mostly fall flat on their faces, and are laughable compared to the CGI effects seen in Gamera 3 from the same year. But still, the film overall is a nice entry in the series and was sorely needed at the time it was released to wash away the taste of the 1998 debacle.

But I'll go with Tokyo S.O.S. I feel that it's often overlooked due to how much it copy-pastes the film before it, but it still does a lot right.

I vote for Godzilla 2000. I really enjoyed the monster battle in this one. I like that it didn't go back and forth so much between monster action and the human drama and just let the monsters duke it out.

After rewatching the movies I'm gonna have to go with Tokyo SOS which is odd because I was leaning more toward G2000 before rewatching the movies. I think both have good characters and the pacing is pretty well done. I will say I give the character edge to G2000, but just slightly.

The effects go with a landslide victory to Tokyo SOS Mothra looks great, the best she's ever looked in my opinion, the fights were amazing with both Godzilla and Kiryu looking fantastic, Kiryu looks slightly better in this movie than the last one in my opinion as his extra armaments match his color not being randomly blue for some reason. Mothra fighting Godzilla is pretty much better than most of the fights in the series on its own, the final battle does drag on a little too long in my opinion Starting with adult Mothra vsing Godzilla, which isn't short, then Kiryu shows up and once it goes down the larva Mothra show up till Kiryu is fixed then Kiryu jumps back in to finish it. I know there were a lot of monsters to fit but just felt a little on the excessive side. In comparison G2000's fight is pretty short with Orga only actually appearing toward the end. The rest of the time we have to sit through Godzilla fighting the CGI craft. There's a fair amount of bad CGI in Godzilla 2000 I'm not sure if they did it because they felt pressured by the fact the 98 movie was all CGI, but just in comparison to other movies it felt like there was a lot. I didn't really see the need to CGI a craft that was solid and could easily be done by practical effects. The movement might not be as fluid, but it would have looked better. The characters also don't do anything once Godzilla shows up which is exactly like Godzilla vs Mothra 92, once Godzilla shows up again you just see the characters for reactions and exposition they don't actively do anything in comparison to Tokyo SOS with Chugo being a big part throughout.

So overall I think I have to give it to Tokyo SOS, both are great movies, but I think overall Tokyo SOS is a stronger entry.