Godzilla
From Free net encyclopedia
- For the Japanese films series see Godzilla (film series).
Image:Godzilla.jpg Godzilla (ゴジラ - Gojira) is a fictional kaiju featured in Japanese films. He was first seen in the 1954 film Gojira, produced by Toho Film Company Ltd. To date, Toho has produced 28 Godzilla films. In 1998 TriStar Pictures produced a modern film, set in contemporary New York City.
Godzilla is almost certainly the most famous of all kaiju, and is one of the defining aspects of Japanese popular culture for many Americans. The word "Godzilla" is popularly associated with special effects featuring "men in rubber suits", poor dubbing, and Saturday morning television. In Japan, Godzilla is one of the most popular kaiju, though the popularity has waned over the years since the original film. Despite this, Godzilla remains an important facet of Japanese films, embodying the "giant monster" subset of the tokusatsu genre.
Contents |
Gojira (Godzilla)
Height: 50 meters (164 feet)
Mass: 20,000 metric tons (22,000 tons)
Also appears in: Godzilla Raids Again (stock footage), Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (stock footage), Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (stock footage), Godzilla: Final Wars (stock footage).
Powers: Atomic fire produced from the mouth. High degree of resistance to harm.
The first Godzilla was a prehistoric monster that was disturbed by American atom bomb testing in the Pacific Ocean. He was defeated when the scientist Serizawa (Akihiko Hirata) sacrificed himself to use an experimental weapon, the Oxygen Destroyer, which dissolved Godzilla’s flesh from his bones. It was stated at the end of the film that it was doubtful that there was only one creature, alluding not only to the many incarnations of Godzilla that would later appear but also to all the other kaiju monsters that would be featured in movies produced by Toho.
The following series would use the events of the first movie as part of their narrative but would be occur in their own continuity separate from each other.
The Shōwa Series
Godzilla
Height: 50 meters (164 feet)
Mass: 20,000 metric tons (22,000 tons)
First Appearance: Godzilla Raids Again
Powers: Atomic Breath ray, super regeneration, and can absorb electricity and release it to become a magnetic force. He has also shown the ability to use his breath as propulsion to produce a limited form of flight.
As alluded at the end of the original movie, another Godzilla monster surfaced at first to once again menace Japan, but through the progression of the series would become Japans’ greatest champion. This Godzilla would be featured through the duration of the shōwa series. The suits used to portray this Godzilla would go through a gradual evolution, starting out looking more menacing but gradually becoming more "friendly" looking to emphasise his newfound heroic nature.
The Versus/Heisei Series
Godzilla
Height: 80 meters (262 feet)
Mass: 50,000 metric tons (55,000 tons)
First Appearance: The Return of Godzilla
Powers: In addition to the established atomic ray and regeneration, he can also absorb radiation, push opponents away by swallowing his atomic breath to emit a "Nuclear Pulse", and supercharge his atomic breath for a red "Spiral Ray".
Rather then being disturbed by atom bomb testing in the Pacific Ocean, the second Godzilla monster of the versus series is the direct result. Without the Oxygen Destroyer weapon that was used to vanquish the first Godzilla 30 years ago Japan had to lure the new menace into the depths of Mt. Mihara ware it would be trapped in lava for half a decade.
During his slumber Japan would develop the Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria (ANB) as a contingency for when Godzilla would return.
Upon its reemergence Japan’s failsafe system quickly exposed the monster to the ANB before it could escape the mountain prison. During his encounter with the Biollante monster Godzilla would succumb to effects of the ANB allowing him to lose to the monster. Biollante may have saved Japan from Godzilla but was mortally wounded in the battle and would unfortunately die shortly after. The cold ocean waters, in which Godzilla had fallen into, had lowered his body temperature causing to the ANB to become dormant which would allowed Godzilla to live on. Bound to the ocean, Godzilla seemed to no longer be a threat.
Godzilla (second transformation)
Height: 100 meters (328 feet)
Mass: 60,000 metric tons (66,000 tons)
First Appearance: Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
Powers: Godzilla in this form would gain the ability to conduct radiation though touch.
In Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah time travelers, called the Futurians, from the future go back in time to 1944 to relocate the Godzillasaurus that would become the second Godzilla to the Bering Sea and replace it with their own creation to allow it to undergo Godzilla’s nuclear transformation instead.
In efforts to stop the Futurians’ monster those who were tricked into leading the Futurians to the Godzillasaurus made plans to send a nuclear sub into the Bering Sea in an attempt to create the second Godzilla. Instead of finding the Godzillasaurus the sub would come face to face with Godzilla him self. The Futurians’ ignorance of the past leads them to create the second Godzilla in the first place rather then removing him for history. Godzilla would absorb the power of the nuclear sub and not only would it seem to have cured the monster of the ANB but it would also mutate it even further become powerful enough to defeat Ghidorah, the Futurians’ monster. Further battles against the likes of Mothra, Mechagodzilla and SpaceGodzilla followed, but ultimately this Godzilla would meet his end in the finalé of the versus series Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. Everything comes full circle when Godzilla must now face off with a monster created by the experimental weapon, the Oxygen Destroyer, which was used to kill the first Godzilla. The end of Godzilla comes when the radiation becomes too much for his body to control, and he finally succumbs to a total nuclear meltdown.
The Millennium Series
The millennium series is unique because rather then creating a single continuity that all the films would follow the series would instead be compromised by a number of narratives all using the first film as a back drop.
Godzilla from Godzilla 2000: Millennium
Height: 55 meters (180 feet)
Length: 122.5 meters (402 feet)
Mass: 25,000 metric tons (27,500 tons)
Powers: All of Godzilla’s traditional powers return with the addition of being an excellent swimmer and the ability to unleash a tremendous amount of heat from his dorsal spikes while using his atom ray.
As a direct sequel of the original movie, the Godzilla depicted here is not related to any other Godzillas seen previously or to those to come.
Godzilla from Godzilla vs. Megaguirus
Height: 55 meters (180 feet)
Mass: 25,000 metric tons (27,500 tons)
Powers: New powers possessed by this Godzilla is the ability to burrow and greater jumping abilities of past Godzillas.
Disregarding the events of Godzilla 2000: Millennium, the continuity alters the events of the first movie so that Godzilla actually survives Serizawa’s use of the Oxygen Destroyer weapon. Furthermore, the beginning of the film explains that after Godzilla destroyed Tokyo in 1954, he reappeared in 1966 and attacked Japan's first nuclear power plant in Tokaimura and once again in 1996, in Osaka, to attack a new plasma energy plant.
Godzilla from Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack
Height: 60 meters (198 feet)
Mass: 30,000 metric tons (33,000 tons)
Powers: Unique to this Godzilla are additional powers such as a near-impenetrable hide (which plays a key role in this movie), and the ability to absorb various types of energy, which can be released in the same manner as his atomic ray.
The Godzilla in the third installment of the millennium series again disregards previous continuity of the previous films of the series. This film returns the monster to his roots of being a menace that can only be stopped by the combined forces of Mothra, King Ghidorah, Baragon, and the Japanese nation.
Godzilla from Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Height: 55 meters (180 feet)
Mass: 25,000 metric tons (27,500 tons)
Powers: Same as the original.
For the first time in the millennium series, this Godzilla would appear in two movies. Again disregarding the previous movies of the series, the Godzilla is the monster alluded to at the end of the first film.
Kiryu
Height: 60 meters (198 feet)
Mass: 40,000 metric tons (44,000 tons)
Appears in: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
In attempts to defend them selves from the possible attack of another Godzilla monster, Japan creates Kiryu, the Mechagodzilla of the millennium series, from the bones of the first Godzilla.
Both Godzilla and Kiryu would last be seen plummeting into the depths of Japan’s Trench in the finale of Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Godzilla from Godzilla: Final Wars
Height: 100 meters (328 feet)
Length: 100 meters (328 feet)
Mass: 50,000 metric tons (55,000 tons)
The continuity of this Godzilla may ignore the events all the previous movies (unlikely, as it shows stock-footage from several of the previous films, while saying that over the years, dozens of monsters attacked the world), but it is the cinematic return of many of Godzilla's old foes. The most notable return is Minilla who hasn’t been seen since the shōwa series. Despite the title of the movie, this Godzilla is not the last (though it might be for the millennium series). Toho has decided to retire the franchise for a period of 5-10 years to hopefully renew interest in the future.
Powers and Abilities
Over the years Godzilla has shown many powers and abilities that he has used against his foes. Godzilla is generally considered to be the most powerful kaiju in the series although Mothra, Biollante, Space Godzilla, and Monster X could also have claims made about them as well.
Atomic Breath
Godzilla's atomic breath is a result of his exposure to nuclear radiation. He is able to emit a powerful atomic stream from his mouth at will. Godzilla also has the ability to control the power and intesity, as well as the size of this stream. It can be "weak" enough to merely shake a building or it can be powerful enough to project an enemy or an object into space. Godzilla's atomic breath has, theoretically, no limit to it's power.
Durability
Godzilla has displayed almost a immortal ability to absorb punishment over the years. The only time he has visibly bled (and subsequently the only time his hide was pentrated) was when Gigan's alien made blades cut open his skin. Godzilla is immune to a majority of physical attacks, although the strongest of monsters can hurt him.
Psychic Deterrent
Godzilla has a natural ability to be unaffected by most psychic attacks or control. Mothra's powerful psychic abilities have no effect on Godzilla and therefore their battles usually must occur in the physical arena. One of the only enemies that can utilize pyschic control over Godzilla to a degree is Space Godzilla, as he is a clone with such a similar genetic makeup to Godzilla.
Super Strength
Godzilla, probably due to the atomic radiation, has an immeasurable amount of strength to use at his disposal. Theoretically Godzilla's stength has no limit but we have yet to see him use it to it's full potential.
The American Movie (1998)
1998 saw the release of an American movie called "Godzilla", which, in many ways, bears strikingly little resemblance to previous works. With modern special effects, but poor writing, this film is amusing but probably is best thought of as an homage to the Godzilla franchise.
Oddly enough, the American Godzilla was used in Final Wars. It was the only monster generated entirely via CG, and was quickly defeated by the real Godzilla. According to the back of the DVD case, Toho has given this "version" of Godzilla the name "Zilla." Prior to this, many fans took to referring the American version of Godzilla as GINO, for "Godzilla In Name Only."
One of the Millenium Series movies actually made an amusing reference to the American attempt at a Godzilla film. Two members of a Japanese Godzilla defense force are seen discussing a giant monster attack that occurred on "a major East-Coast American city" (New York, obviously). One asks the other if it was Godzilla, and the other's reply is something along the lines of: "That's what the Americans are saying, but our guys aren't so sure."
Godzilla: The Series
Based off the events of the 1998 American movie, the Godzilla animated series featured an offspring of the movie Godzilla which had grown to full size. In a similar fashion to earlier animated works, Godzilla traveled around the world with a group of humans, including scientist Nick Tatopolis, battling monsters. As a result of its parent, this Godzilla had all the abilities of the original.
This series also paid homage to the movie in another way. During a multi-part episode, the carcass of the parent Godzilla was revealed to have been reanimated as a cyborg by the Tachyon aliens. Affected by the alien monster control virus, the second Godzilla was made to work in tandem with it's "parent" before destroying it in battle. This cyborg Godilla was likely a homage to the cyborgs of the Japanese works, especially Mechagodzilla. In addition to the usual Godzilla abilities, it had a special device that could reflect any attack.
External links
Official
Information
- Barry's Temple of Godzilla
- Toho Kingdom
- Kaijuphile: Monster Site. Monster Obsession.
- Monster Zero News
- Sci-Fi Japan
- Godzilla Stomp
- Rodan's Roost
- Gamera Fans, kaiju fan site & resource board
- Tokyo Monsters The premiere kaiju multimedia site
- Giant Monster Movies
- Henshin! Online, Japanese fantasy website
- Template:Dmoz
- GreenCine primer on Godzilla
- Godzilla and other Monster Music
- Club Tokyo, kaiju collectibles reference
- Godzilla U.K., The British Godzilla Webzine
- G-FAN, an international fanzine
- Twisted Kaiju Theatre, a webcomic
Template:Toho tokusatsude:Godzilla es:Godzilla fr:Godzilla he:גודזילה nl:Godzilla ja:ゴジラ pl:Godzilla pt:Godzilla simple:Godzilla fi:Godzilla sv:Godzilla zh:哥斯拉