March 09, 2004
Godzilla to World: "See Ya'!" Biggest Japanese Kaiju Export Set to Retire
We had heard rumors. There was speculation. Then we second guessed ourselves, "Nah! Can't be true." Then we thought, "Or could it?" Now we know it is true. The world's giant, monstrous, green reptile-like menace from Japan and all-round ace movie kaiju, Godzilla, is going on vacation and it looks like it may be permanent.
The Associated Press reported the news Friday in a syndicated story that ran in Friday's Hartford Courant and appeared in yesterday's the (San Jose) Mercury News. The news was officially announced in Japan Thursday by Toho Pictures, Inc. that production of Godzilla movies is going on at least a ten-year hiatus following the release of the 28th Godzilla film later this year.
"Toho studios' executive producer, Shogo Tomiyama, said Thursday that the latest movie - marking 28 releases and 50 years of 'Godzilla' films - would probably be the last one for at least a decade."
Diehard fans worldwide may look closely at Tomiyama's statement and find some wiggle room in his wording ("would probably") and deduce that Godzilla WILL be back and sooner than anyone thinks.
But given the movie series' poor box office track record over the past decade and the coffin nail of Thursday's announcement, the future looks grim for "Gojira," as he is known in Japan.
Even though Godzilla is a global movie franchise, during the past 50 years audiences outside Japan rarely got a look at the entire output of Godzilla films. In America, only a handful of Godzilla films reached the public in wide theatrical release.
In the late 1990s, Godzilla took a big star turn in Hollywood, which gave the green kaiju an updated look enhanced by computer animation technology and sent the monster on a romping rampage through New York City in an American film production.
In Japan, Godzilla's look was always a lttle bit more tame. The special effects until recently had remained fairly hokey, even downright "cute."
But apparently Toho studio executives finally figured out what audiences had understood much earlier. The premise and storyline were long past their sell-by dates.
It's sad to lose Godzilla, but it's even sadder to see a series continue when it hasn't anything left to say and must struggle under its own outdated weight. Godzilla's menace has lost its relevance, particularly in a post-9/11 world, where our greatest fears have been realized not by giant monsters but by human beings.
--Shibuya Kid + The Kid from Kyoto
RELATED LINKS
After 50 Years, Godzilla Is Taking A Break [Hartford Courant]
Godzilla to Take Break After "Special" Film [Mercury News]
Official Toho Pictures Web Site for "Godzilla Final Wars"
Official Web Site for "Godzilla X Mothra X MegaGodzilla"
Fan Site: Barry's Temple of Godzilla
Posted by Robsam at March 9, 2004 01:35 AM
