Xenotaris,
You said it before you edited your post.
I say things to get you mad, sorry I won't do it again. I just disagree with the sentiment that it should stay Black & White. I mean the Black & White version exists for those who want to see that one, so they could have a color version for people who want to see that one as well. Like give people options.
Fortunately, I think Toho knows well enough to not.
Xenotaris, it’s okay to have opinions. But what Gman was saying didn’t seem to be quite as much about personal preference as it was about general fact. So you said movies weren’t shot in color until 1960s first of all, which is not true. There are movie from 1950s (Radon, Earth Defense Force, just to name familiar examples) which were shot and screened in color, never ‘colorized’ (even the posters say in color). Plenty movies in 1940s shot in color but not quite widespread until early 50s. Just saying, check your facts if you want to have a debate.
And then next, you did say that you don’t like artists, and find them pretentious, things like that. Since you said it, I think you should take a little more responsibility, because it is almost as insulting as your avoidance and denial, as it contradicts to your views on virtually entire world culture to make such claim. Then when you put down artists, then you view them as beneath you, and who is pretentious then? I understand you get defensive, and sometimes we can all get irrational, but that isn’t any way to win a debate, I don’t think Gman was out of line or out to get you for your opinion.
But on to my analysis of why I think Godzilla 1954 works best in Black & White. While true enough, 1954 was pretty rough time for Japanese economy so color film was more expensive, I still don’t think they would have shot it in color even if they had the resources, because the monochrome shades really create atmosphere of melancholy and darkness that go with the first Godzilla really well. The imagery mixed with aftermath footage from the war creates stunningly heartbreaking imagery, which would not translate the same in color, because the bright and vivid spectrum takes away from the sorrow of the scene.
King Kong in color is sort of guilty pleasure of mine, because I find the strange added colors very fun and soothing, while I still think that it takes away from the experience of the film. However, it works better for King Kong in my opinion because it is not formed around an actual tragedy which America was facing at the time, unlike Godzilla in Japan. Maybe my Japanese roots are taking over when I say, but I also think that what my people faced, what my great grandfather personally faced was a terror which cannot even be understood to fullest extent by my generation or the current generation. When you take into account that Godzilla comes from a real world tragedy, made as Japan’s way to accept their karma and come to terms with what happened, then it makes only too much sense why it was shot in such a style that it brings out all of the sad and unsettling feelings.
Gman made very excellent points about the photography crew, and how their previous work with cinematic genius Mikio Naruse really shows in the film. I agree that it would obscure original film makers’ vision in less than satisfying way. I have seen ‘colorized’ old movies and shows, the techniques give too much saturation because the coloring is unnaturally added, and every time you see teeth, they look like they been coated with whiteout and then painted gray, and then clothes look too solid colored, skin looks orange. Colorization of motion pictures rarely come out looking good, but single photograph could get better coloring detail.
While the Japanese and film technique lover in me would feel somewhat offended if colorized edition Godzilla is released, I won’t really make a big deal about it, because art is art, and art is a creative vision for anybody who has it, but I definitely don’t think it is necessary thing either.
So having options is bad? I mean we have extended editions, special editions and directors cuts why not a color edition? maybe the technology got better?
Yes I was being a jerk earlier, had a very rough day. I didn't really mean what I said about artists I was just trying to piss GHman off. Also I don't see artists beneath me, what am I? An artist or an evil tyrant? I just don't like their high mighty attitude sometimes, I just don't understand them hence why I lash out. Their way of thinking is very alien to me. I am aware Japan is more artsy compared to America, so maybe its a cultural difference?
I'll just stick to the Alien and Jurassic Park forums from now on. To avoid sticking my foot in mouth when it comes to Godzilla related topics.
Did you read my comment? I am not saying that having options is bad, I didn’t say that at all. Again, I was giving my own opinion to why I personally think it wouldn’t be necessary to colorize. This wasn’t meant to clash with your own views or judge you. Colorizing is not inherently bad concept, but from my own perspective of my history and culture, as well as the creative decisions of the original creators, I feel content without colorized version, and you on the contrary pursue interest to watch the film colorized, and that is completely okay.
Not trying to drive you away or force you to the same opinion as my own, but instead what I was meaning to do was just show my perspective. But if you want to stop using this forum because of my opinion, then that is your decision.
P.S. In the future, it may do you well to reflect how you could compose yourself better online. It is a general etiquette, even a rule on some forums that you don’t try to piss off others like with you to Gman over disagreeing about something, but again is only my opinion and if you want to continue being disrespectful on a community where we express our opinions about our mutual interests, then that is your business.
Sorry I am usually not disrespectful but I usually clash with Gman because are opinions are like fire and oil. But I understand what your saying about etiquette. But when it comes to not coloring Godzilla 1954, I still struggle to understand, why not but I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to art.
Xenotaris " Sorry, I am not usually not disrespectful " I know. But what is etiquette?
Cool Godzilla, etiquette is like more formal way to say manners or good form. I was saying to that I felt Xenotaris wasn’t showing very good form.
Xenotaris, What is to understand? Some of us don’t think colorization is necessary from an objective point of view it isn’t very practical and may conflict with the film. And some of us would like to see it colorized from a subjective point of view, to see it from another perspective, and that is perfectly valid I think, and shouldn’t be reason to get upset about. At least from what I have seen, Gman seems to express opinions and/or share facts respectfully. Maybe I am missing something here, but what is it that pushes your buttons? Did you feel like Gman wasn’t regarding and respecting your opinions and feelings very well? Or is it about inability for yourself to accept others’ opinions and perspective? Is it how it was treated objectively instead of subjectively? I’m genuinely interested, because while I haven’t been on here long time, it feels almost unfounded, your irritations. Just a curiosity, you don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to.
Its a long story. That started out with innocent disagreements like can non-japanese countries make a good godzilla movie, which godzilla incarnation was the best, which godzilla movie was the worst, the proper definition for evolution, whether or not american giant monsters can be called kaiju and now this topic.
With each topic it kind of got more heated the further it went on
But I guess too some a colorized Godzilla would be like a terrible remake
Xenotaris Have you seen this before? https://archive.org/details/godzilla-big-attack-2-color
Why does it take forever to load on this website
Remember that glitch I was talking about, maybe you have the same glitch like me.
Your having the same video problem as me on https://archive.org/details/godzilla-big-attack-2-color
