Godzilla

The name "Godzilla," is originally "Gojira" in its native Japanese. "Gojira," is a combination of "gorilla" and "kujira", which is a Japanese slang for "big clumsy ox." According to film mythology, "Gojira," was supposedly the nickname of one of the stagehands at Toho Film studio where Godzilla was filmed.

Beginning in 1954 from an original story by Shigeru Kayama, screen writer Takeo Murata, and especially screenwriter/director Ishiro Honda, Godzilla is easily one of the longest running and successful film franchises. As with many long running film series, the "image" of the series has changed over time. Godzilla began quite seriously - the first film was a thoughtful indictment against the nuclear bombing of Japan by the United States, and the resulting radiation which created Godzilla. However, as the franchised aged it became campy (perhaps, for too long), and more recently, has evolved back to more serious themes. With this in mind, if you've never seen a Godzilla film or, if after seeing a Godzilla film you see absolutely no point in watching budget basement special effects, and a man in a big dinosaur suit destroying miniature buildings, ships and cars, then you're missing the point of Godzilla. Yes, there's a point to the Godzilla films, but you'll miss the point unless you, child or adult, suspend your disbelief and seriously imagine the possibility of a world with Godzilla. As a child, you're both in awe of Godzilla while also hoping that Godzilla might be your friend, plus it's neat (that's right, neat!) to see stuff get stepped-on and blown-up by a fire breathing radioactive dragon! As an adult, you're horrified by the spectacle of Godzilla, terrified how humans are responsible for Godzilla's existence, but you're glad when Godzilla protects humanity when other monsters or aliens attempt to destroy the earth. Arguably, given the similar scope of destruction that follows his wake, Godzilla is Japan's response to James Bond.

Listed below are several entries in the Godzilla film franchise, followed by related films by legendary director Ishiro Honda. Film titles followed by the asterisk (*) are highly recommended by, of course, me! These films are all on video, so pop some popcorn for your very own Jurassic wonder marathon!

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla - 2002, Directed by Masaaki Tezuka
Godzilla 2000 * - 1999, Directed by Takao Okawara
Godzilla - 1998, Directed by Roland Emmerich
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah - 1995, Directed by Takao Okawara
Godzilla vs. Mothra * - 1992, Directed by Takao Okawara
Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah * - 1991, Directed by Kazuki Omori
Godzilla vs. Biollante - 1989, Directed by Kazuki Ohmori
Godzilla 1985 * - 1984, Directed by Koji Hashimoto and R.J. Kizer
Terror of Mechagodzilla * - 1975, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla   1974, Directed by Jun Fukuda
Godzilla vs. Megalon - 1973, Directed by Jun Fukuda
Godzilla vs. Gigan - 1972, Directed by Jun Fukuda
Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster - 1971, Directed by Yoshimitsu Banno
Godzilla's Revenge - 1969, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Destroy All Monsters! * - 1968, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Son of Godzilla * - 1967, Directed by Jun Fukuda
Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster - 1966, Directed by Jun Fukuda
Godzilla vs. Monster Zero -  1965, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Godzilla vs. Mothra * - 1964, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Godzilla, King of the Monsters -  1956, Directed by Terrell O. Morse
Gigantis, the Fire Monster - 1955, Directed by Hugo Grimaldi
Gojira *** - 1954, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Mothra * - 1961, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Rodan * - 1956, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Ghidrah: The Three-Headed Monster * - 1964, Directed by Ishiro Honda
King Kong Escapes - 1967, Directed by Ishiro Honda
King Kong vs. Godzilla * - 1962, Directed by Ishiro Honda
The War of the Gargantuas - 1966, Directed by Ishiro Honda
Frankenstein Conquers the World * - 1964, Directed by Ishiro Honda