Zilla Watch

1/24/25

The start of it all. The very first movie in the Godzilla franchise. The introduction of the King of the Monsters. An allegory on the dangers of nuclear energy in the new atomic age. A movie that has forever influenced the film making industry.

It was alright. I enjoyed the movie, but it was alright.

I know this may be a heretical take among the Godzilla fandom, so hear me out.

I liked this movie. I think it does a lot really well. The cinematography is great. The pacing is well done. I really liked the acting as well. HOWEVER, this movie does show its age. Maybe I’m just a jaded modern man, but some of the awe moments in the movie just did not work for me. Maybe it was watching a model train slam into Godzilla’s foot that did it for me. The moments with Godzilla on the screen and the destruction caused by him seemed……funny. This, more than anything, is something affected through a modern lens. Maybe it is wrong to critique the special effects of a 71 year old movie through modern eyes. But I just can’t shake the feeling that these moments just don’t hit like they have in modern iterations of Godzilla.

Despite not being impressed with the Godzilla moments, I really enjoyed other aspects of the movie! The characters were really good! Emiko Yamane and Dr. Serizawa were particular stand outs for me. Emiko made for a great protagonist and POV character. The actress did an amazing job with the character. I looked up the actress, Momoko Kōchi. I may look into other movies that she was in. Dr. Serizawa was a really fun character, in a edgy brooding way. I have a feeling that if I had seen this movie as a teen I would have liked this man a lot.

Overall, the cinematography and music for the movie was really good. I know I poked fun at the model train hitting Godzilla’s foot earlier. However, I think it must have been a really cool effect at the time. I think that seeing this in 1954 must have been pretty mind blowing. I can appreciate everything this movie did for the industry. I’m not sure if monster movies would be the same in today’s world if not for this movie.

Godzilla (1954) is an amazing movie for its time. The film does show some of its age when viewing through a modern lens. I think that modern interpretations and versions of this same movie do a better job at showcasing the warnings of atomic power. That being said, I liked the film. I appreciate this film as a first in the franchise and for the message being presented.