I genuinely do not like referring to this period in human history as the Noughties! Firstly it’s the way it’s pronounced, as it’s exactly the same as naughty; which suggests it was just an outright bad decade. Also, we spent every decade previously calling the decade as it numerically was; the 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, and so on. Therefore, it’s only right that this decade should be called the 2000’s. Anyway, rant over, back to Godzilla!
The 2000’s were a bit of an odd moment in the history of the Godzilla series. Not odd as interesting, just plain weird. The film series was in a constant state of flux, as it tried desperately to wipe out the mistakes of 1998, but as a result had no coherent plan, or narrative.
Basically, the big issue with the 2000’s (also known as the Millennium Era), was the constant desire for the filmmakers to make direct sequels to the original. All but one out of the five films produced, chose not to reference any preceding film either recent, classic, or neighbouring. All the other four films were direct sequels to 1954. Now from a standalone perspective there is nothing wrong with this; except that each film was released virtually annually from the previous one. If it had been two or three years separating each one, then it might not be too much of a problem; but because they weren’t, it felt like a series of films trying hard to erase itself, nearly suggesting that the previous entry was a waste of time.
I mean that could be considered an unfair argument against the series, but if you consider the two previous series (Showa and Heisei), each of the films in them took place in some form of timeline. OK, they weren’t all direct sequels to one another, but, they didn’t completely erase previous films. So, if you compare the 2000’s with the Showa and Heisei period, you’d think that Toho would do the same with the Millennium too? It’s a complex situation, but one which can cause some real head scratching moments (especially when watching these films for the first time).
It is a weird decade; but not entirely a bad one. Yes, like other decades, it featured at least one of the series lowest points, but on the other hand, it also had quite a few of the series highest points too, including of course the series 50th Anniversary. Also it should be noted that the decade kind of foretold it’s own future, as we got our first original taste of the Godzilla: Minus One. Basically: Minus One director Takashi Yamazaki directed a film called Always: Sunset on Third Street 2, which featured Godzilla in a cameo appearance, nothing more…for then.
Anyway; the time has now come to rank this decades ‘finest’ work (loosely finest work, five films, one of which is downright terrible); and so without further ado here are my Top 5 Favourite Godzilla Films from the 2000’s (or Noughties if you absolutely insist); Enjoy!
5. Godzilla vs. Megaguirus – After many years of consistent attacks by Godzilla, a special division of the Japanese Self-Defence Force is setup to deal with the monster once and for all, with the plan of building a black hole generator. Also there are some bugs running around!
The first of three films this decade to be directed by Masaaki Tezuka, and at least he started off his tenure of Godzilla directing, with a bad one (as from this point forward, the only way is surely up?). Godzilla vs. Megaguirus suffers from several artistic choices. Firstly it tries to tell too many plots, and secondly, it doesn’t choose the correct one to lead the film with. The film’s title suggests that the main focus of the film is Godzilla fighting a creature called Megaguirus; but it isn’t! This whole black hole generator thing is the film’s main focus, with the whole Megaguirus thing being relegated to the sub plot, and mentioned only very briefly, probably just to remind you of what the film’s title is. It is a very chaotic film that tries to tell between 2 to 3 stories; and most of the time all 2-3 are pretty boring. The only real highlight is that the film introduces Michiru Ōshima‘s Godzilla theme to the series, a piece that would feature in at least two more films (can you guess which ones?)!
4. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. – One year has passed since the chaotic events of the previous film. Mechagodzilla has been repaired, and the military anxiously wait for the return of Godzilla hoping they can end his reign of terror once and for all. But then Mothra‘s twin fairies show up demanding Godzilla’s bones be returned to the sea!
So, four films in to the decade, and we finally get a direct sequel to the previous film. Yes, this film does the right thing, and continue the story of Against, whilst also weaving in plot elements from the original Mothra. Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S provides as much action if not more than the previous film, and includes Mothra in the mix as well. The film however chooses to completely ditch one element from the previous film, it’s fantastic lead star in Yumiko Shaku. Choosing instead to tell a new story with a new character, is again not a bad thing, but Shaku’s character was so well done in the previous film, it would have made more sense to keep her story going. And that’s not all; The film’s climactic battle is a near carbon copy of the previous film, with Mechagodzilla breaking down right in the middle of fight, the conclusion to the fight involves one monster committing suicide, and then the terrific after credits scene was never linked to a following story. It delivers more of the same, but really should have done more than just that!
3. Godzilla: Final Wars – One day, without warning, Giant Monsters attack cities around the globe, only then to be swallowed up by giant spaceships. Aliens have arrived, and want peace, but it’s a peace that cannot last, and it’s up to a brave group of heroes, a flying submarine, and a monster frozen in ice, to save the world!
Before I get started, I think it’s important that I share this quick little clip:
Anyway; Godzilla: Final Wars is one of the very few films in the series that could be considered an Epic. The film is on a very big scale, and features some classic monsters, many of which have not been seen in the series for over 30 years. It’s also quite a glorious return for Gigan too, although very short lived of course, I mean how bad is it to be decapitated twice in the same movie? It is of course the 50th Anniversary film, and so it’s big for a reason. It’s also weird, in the respects that it features a song from Sum 41, and that one of the lead cast members is MMA legend Don Frye. But it’s also weirdly good. The soundtrack is a fantastic selection of electronic sounds, the action is not entirely focussed on the monsters, and there’s some human moments to. Basically; Ryuhei Kitamura was given the chance to make a Godzilla film, but rather than fit into a mould like the five films preceding it, he made the Godzilla film he wanted to make; a trend that would continue for at least the next two live action Japanese Godzilla movies!
2. Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla – After a monster attack some 45 years after Godzilla’s first appearance, the Japanese Government launches a project to defend the country from further attacks. The answer, a giant robot named Kiryu. But after a brief encounter with Godzilla; it’s Kiryu that runs amok!
After the disaster of his first Godzilla film; Masaaki Tezuka pulled out all the stops, and went from making one of the worst films in the series, to one of the best. Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is an interesting film for many reasons. Firstly the robot is obviously Mechagodzilla, but weirdly is called Kiryu instead. I personally don’t mind, I actually quite like the name, and the funky design. Also, it’s a pretty cool idea for some other monster, supposedly a good one, other than Godzilla running amok too. The really interesting thing about the film though is the rather deep human story. The focus is on a very strong female character played by Yumiko Shaku, who feels guilty for an accident she was involved in, and so struggles to move on herself, and gain the respect of her team. Meanwhile you also have the story of a young (Kana Onodera) she becomes friends with, who is also struggling from a personal loss. It shows that whilst the films are in deed about giant monsters running amok, you can still tell a deep human story, with real emotions, in-between all the destruction; and that they can in some ways really steal the show. And in addition to all that, Michiru Ōshima’s Godzilla theme is the perfect attachment to this film, with it’s more military focussed themes!
1. Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack – Several monsters have been sighted around the country after shrines have been damaged. A young reporter looks into the Monster sightings, and a strange old man who keeps appearing. She hears some story about some guardian monsters, whose reawakening has happened just in time, as Godzilla has arrived.
It’s probably no surprise that this film turned out as well as it did; given that it was Heisei Gamera supremo Shûsuke Kaneko directing it. Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack, or simply GMK if you prefer, is quite a cool entry in the series, as whilst it is still science fiction focussed, there’s more of a fantasy element to the film, involving the ancient guardians, and the prophecies behind them. It features a cool cast, which switched focus between the public narrative, and the military response. What’s quite interesting though is that whilst it does feature both Mothra and King Ghidorah, it also features Baragon, who has not been seen (except for possibly stock footage) since the 1960’s. It’s a really good film, and one of the series best, but that’s thanks to it being a good all rounder film. There’s practically nothing negative to say about the film, but it’s also quite annoying to talk about, because as everything is a highlight, there is no one outstanding highlight to talk about. It’s like being back at school, and being asked to describe why something is good; and in this case all you can argue is that it’s a good film. Why? Because it just is!
(Apologies if that last entry had an anti-climactic finish, but seriously it is a terrific film, because it just is)!
Things I Like 
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