Godzilla (1954)

Godzilla (1954) is the original and definitive Godzilla movie. Made less than 10 years after the end of WWII, it carries a heavier emotional weight than the Godzilla movies that would follow. Before the high-fiving, boxing anti-hero and sometimes protector of Japan came this vengeful terror. This Godzilla was a fearsome indictment of man’s lack of humanity.

The miniatures were more intricate and had more detail than other Godzilla movies. This movie did a good job of interspersing people with the miniatures to give us a vested interest in their lives and sorrow when an unforgiving monster sent them to their doom. When Godzilla unleashed his atomic breath, the results were tragic and all too real whether it be on humans or property. As the citizens and military waited for Godzilla’s arrival, the tension was palpable. The carnage was unflinchingly shown as Godzilla cut through the city with his slow, unmerciful gait.

Dr. Serizawa, played by Hirata Akihiko, had developed his own terrifying weapon and refused to use it for fear it would fall into the wrong hands. Ultimately, he had to decide whether to deploy his weapon to stop the immediate destruction being rained down on his country or to withhold it for fear of unimaginable destruction that could take place if people were to use it as a weapon against other people.

The movie is not perfect, there is a love triangle even in Godzilla. The story can bounce around. The acting style is dated, but didn’t distract from the actors expressing the emotions the characters were feeling. The special effects were exemplary for 1954, viewers expecting spectacular CGI will be disappointed.

Whether conveying the urgency of people fleeing or ominously announcing the arrival of Godzilla, Ifukube Akira’s score was spot on.

My rating reflects how I rate movies and dramas. Only my first love in a particular genre receives a 10, the one that all other movies in that genre will be judged against. Godzilla who meshes the prehistoric with the modern and forces us to look back on the consequences of society’s actions is far deeper than a giant lizard destroying a city. Thus far, no other Kaiju has measured up to the original Godzilla’s standard.

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Really Good

This is my first time watching anything Godzilla and I really enjoyed it. I have seen modern tokusatsu but this is also a first for anything pre-2000. I recommend this to anyone as it has a great story and a really somber tone

Story
This was a very enjoyable story plot. It is very appropriate for the time it came out, only 9 years after the end of WWII. It might be a slow burn but it is sure to have an impact.

Acting
I really enjoyed the acting for the leads. It wasn't as good as acting in modern-day shows but I think acting was different at that period of time so it okay.

Music
The soundtrack of this movie was really well put. It added an appropriate tone to the sense and made everything feel the importance and grandeur of the moment.

Rewatch
I can say that I would probably rewatch this at some point, especially since I plan to watch some more movies from Godzilla and I might need a refresh of the one that started it all.

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