The Godzilla Criterion Collection is one of the best special edition movie sets of all time! Every page has amazing artwork and detailed stories about the production and release of each film. This collection covers every Godzilla movie from his debut in 1954 to his battle with MechaGodzilla in 1975.
I’ve seen bits and pieces of these over the years, however Godzilla vs. King Kong is the only one that I have seen all the way through.
I am excited to go through all of these classic monster movies and share the experience with you!
1. Godzilla (1954)
Score:
7.5
The first Godzilla film arrived in theaters during 1954. For being 66 years old, this monster movie classic holds up well and is actually pretty compelling in black and white. The dread and fear is built up very well and we actually don’t see Godzilla for quite a while as he sinks fishing vessels from the murky depths.
The Japanese government sends a team of scientist to investigate and they discover the giant lizard footprints and radioactive residue. When the famous man-in-costume monster finally does appear he quickly slinks away back into the ocean. The scientists conclude that Godzilla must have been living in an underwater cave, but his habitat was destroyed by all the H-bomb testing. There is a side-story involving Emiko, who finds out about a flesh-eating weapon that will eventually be used on our charming dinosaur.
No Godzilla movie is complete with the destruction of cities. Plus, in this one we learn that Godzilla likes to play with trains (just like the rest of us)! He is menacing and this film takes it all very seriously (unlike some of the sequels that get pretty zany and silly). The model work is unbelievably good.
The big guy eventually meets his maker when the Oxygen Destroyer is used against him and it leaves nothing but his weary bones behind. It’s a good movie and every monster movie fan should definitely check it out at least once.
2. Godzilla Raids Again (1955)
Score:
4
As I popped this movie into my disc player, I imagined that it was going to be difficult for Godzilla to raid again, especially after he was turned to bones in the first film. It turns out that this movie features a new Godzilla, and he is chilling on an island and battling other monsters. He is discovered by a couple of unlucky pilots who happen to have crashed in his backyard.
From the very beginning of this film, you get the feeling that it is a step down from the original. Part of this could be that the transfer of the film hasn’t been given the same loving treatment as the first movie, which is understandable. But I also think that the subject matter doesn’t come across as serious as it did in the first film. It doesn’t help that much of Godzilla’s action scenes have the big lizard moving in fast forward. Turns out there was a mistake while filming those scenes and they opted to just go ahead and use the footage.
The model work is still pretty cool, and most of the things that make watching these movies fun, is here. (Spoiler Alert) Godzilla defeats Anguirus by biting his jugular and turning him into Bar-B-Q, but those pesky humans end up burying him in a mountainside avalanche. How will he ever escape?!
3. King Kong vs. Godzilla (1962)
Score:
8
This is the one I remember from my childhood. King Kong battling the big lizard and grabbing him by the tail – it doesn’t get any more awesome than that! Even on a small, crappy TV in the 80’s, that battle of these classic monsters made a huge impression. Watching this again, in high-def on a huge plasma TV… man, life is good.
The first thing I noticed was how much of a leap in quality this film is over Godzilla Raids Again. Not only going from B&W to color, but this movie just looks great. It does not look and feel like a 1962 production. The Criterion Edition notes that for the U.S. version new scenes were filmed and added to the release in the 80’s, which is probably why this movie feels more modern than it actually is.
Godzilla gets out of his icy prison thanks to global warming or something, and King-Kong is captured thanks to some sleep-inducing fruit juice. Making them fight each other is our only hope!
Besides our two favorite man-in-suit monsters, there is also a giant octopus, and the model destruction here is the best yet. Also, King Kong gets in on the train destruction, much to everyone’s delight. The final showdown does not disappoint and the whole movie is campy and fun. Turns out Godzilla doesn’t like electricity and King Kong gets juiced up on the live wires, or even lightening. Who knew!
In the end, they fall into the water and it must cool them off, because Kong decides to swim for home. Is this the best Godzilla movie of all time? Let’s watch some more and find out…
4. Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)
Score:
5
A pesky typhoon washes Mothra’s egg away and some greedy business types try to steal it from those two miniature island woman. It takes Godzilla a full 33 minutes to show up and save us from this nonsense!
He’s a bit clumsy from being buried in the mud though. His tail gets stuck in a tower, and then it falls on his back. Then he stumbles and falls into a building. The goof isn’t trying to destroy stuff, he’s just bumbling around!
In his inebriated state a giant moth starts kicking his scaly butt! Because, as you know, moths are ferocious predatory creatures.
Fortunately for Godzilla, Mothra is super old and eventually just lays down and dies. The army tries to do their part, but their toy tanks and cell phone towers prove to be no match for the big lizard. In the end two caterpillars spit on Godzilla and he falls into the ocean. The poor guy can’t catch a break in this one.
This movie is actually kind of boring until Godzilla and Mothra fight, and then it gets hilarious and awesome. A worthy addition to the Godzilla saga, but one you will probably skip for more exciting entries.