Godzilla 2000: MILLENNIUM
( of 5)
Only four years after the demise of the King of the Monsters, Toho returns the Big G to combat with the popularity (?) of the American incarnation. After his final bow in 95, it hardly seemed possible that they could create a sequel that could even stare Godzilla VS. Destroyah in the face. Man am I glad I was wrong. Godzilla returns to poor old Japan and begins destroying their sources of energy, seeming to hate it like any foe. Note: there is some contention among G-Fans as to whether or not the Godzilla featured in this flick is just an adult Godzilla JR. , or is in fact a rebirth of the old G and they're simply starting the series over again with a new timeline. I tend to like a longer line of continuity, so my preference would be that it was JR., but Toho never cleared that up.
Anyway, the specials are a cut above any other Original G-Film, with more CGI work and better models than ever before, but as usual, the Japanese fall behind when contrasted with the advances of the American film industry.
Godzilla is as rubbery as ever, and has some REALLY freaky back plates. He has truly undergone more changes in his physical appearance this time than ever, and I think it was a good move. Of course, adding the pink color to the plates gives his normally testosterone driven nature a bit of a feminine feel. I don't know. Just my thought. Now I had thought that after a creeped out embodiment of evil like Destroyah Toho would have a hard time developing a foe worthy of following in its footsteps, but the brief appearance of the alien creation Orga ( an altered form of Orca?) was a battle worthy of the great Ziller, and I almost feel sorry for the creature every time I see Godzilla whoop his butt.
I mean, what monster, no matter how evil its intent or desire for humanity, deserves to be given level 5 heartburn by the King? Only problem with the whole movie, aside from some confusing plot elements, is as always the dubbing. How bad is it when the American distributor feels they have to add new lines along the way of " The missile will go through Godzilla like c--p through a goose," and "Great Caesar's Ghost!"
The reason this film though is a better Godzilla than the U.S.A. attempt, is because they give you nearly 50 years of history of stomped buildings, latex monsters and silly fun in one film, and it really feels like the Big G. As fun as G USA was, G2K does much more to honor the memory of those 50 years, which, God willing, will continue for many more decades.