Godzilla 1998: Is It The Worst Godzilla Movie Ever Made?

[@Locadel2003]

Jean Reno was actually fucking awesome in this movie, he made this movie more fun

[@DeathbySkullfxxx]

Doesnt mean the movies good nor that the movies not the worst Godzilla movie. Cuz its not good and is at least one of the worst if not the worst G movies

[@kami_in_the_skye]

@@DeathbySkullfxxx'98 is not even close to the worst Godzilla movie. I love them dearly, but the '60s & '70s were almost pure crap, and the Millennium run mostly slot into the same realm of mediocrity that '98 does. There's a reason the movies went on another lengthy hiatus after that. I know it feels wrong to call it comfortably middle of the pack, but the clunkers are so plentiful that it just is what it is. I'd still choose to watch the even worst of the worst of them over damn near anything else though.

[@ARK-rk8wy]

​@@kami_in_the_skye I think 98 is an incredible movie it's just not godzilla it's a kajiu but not godzilla that's what I'll say

[@ARK-rk8wy]

​@@DeathbySkullfxxxnah the worst godzilla movie ever was the anime trilogy one and two were just straight doodoo three wasn't good but not horrible

[@wstine79]

I remember watching this in Washington DC during a High School Graduation trip. Godzilla looked silly, but the movie was cheesy fun. Jean Reno and Hank Azaria were the highlights.

[@lonellfletcher]

Is it wrong to think that its crazy that people dismiss this as silly schlock but take the Monsterverse so seriously? Almost too seriously.

[@MadameCirce]

Agreed about Jean Reno and Hank Azaria, and I just remember being so hyped for this movie because of the cast in general. I understood the film sucked and was panned by critics but I didn't care because I was a fan of so many people on the screen. I mean, this movie had Ferris Bueller and Leon the Professional AND the cast of the Simpsons? That was the most unexpected yet coolest mash up young teenage me could ever ask for. Just like JoBlo, it's hard for me not to have a little soft spot in my heart for this bad film because of the nostalgia.

[@MartyMcFly88]

Hank was great

[@MadameCirce]

@@MartyMcFly88 Hank is always great.

[@forestxander]

They were hilarious. Hands down hilarious.

[@dalevintage]

The old fisherman in the beginning, the actor's name is Ralph Manza. He was a Hollywood character actor going back to the 50s. He did TV, Movies, some of your favorite classic commercials and modern TV...like and episode of Friends...the one with the hit girl. Ralph was an incredible man and filmed that scene when he was in his early 80s. I was blessed to know him. He inspires me to this day. RIP. ❤️🎬 He passed 2yrs later after this film was made. One of the most vibrant men/people I've ever met. So happy to see him celebrated like this! He would be giddy as heck about it!

[@wstine79]

This was may not be a great adaptation of Godzilla, but it was spot on adaptation of The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms.

[@DeathbySkullfxxx]

The movie sucks

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Actually a really good way of putting it.

[@nickdriscoll6131]

The original Godzilla is a closer adaptation of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

[@CERRYGREENBAY]

@@DeathbySkullfxxxeh, cap. Movie itself is fine. Just not a great Godzilla film

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

@@CERRYGREENBAYthe movie is unentertaining

[@myrnalaboy2840]

This film is an excellent guilty pleasure and a personal favorite of mine beacause of its special effects. R.I.P. Micheal Lerner.

[@titusmccarthy]

The acting is so BAD in this. REALLY, REALLY BAD! I don't understand anyone liking this. It came out when I was in high school and I still think it's CRAP.

[@vampirascoffin870]

​@@titusmccarthy dude relax it ain't that deep

[@Hvanudetfornoget]

I watch it once a week when going to bed, love it for being what it is.

[@titusmccarthy]

@@vampirascoffin870 It's not even a fun movie to watch. It's so dark and depressing. I'd rather watch Jurassic Park: The Lost World.

[@elijahrobertscinema6351]

This is literally one of my favourite movies of all time lol. Its raining 24/7 in new york, theres a big monster, its got some laughs, it just has a certain 90s vibe that I just love. Sure it got shitty reviews, but in my opinion is a legendary monster movie!

[@diogogomes3238]

and you're not alone brother

[@grapeswithcapes8314]

yes exactly!

[@AnimeBronx]

stop. its one of the worst movie ever made.

[@thehighestorder2868]

It's not a bad movie in general, it just shouldn't have been called Godzilla

[@ARK-rk8wy]

​@@thehighestorder2868that's what I'm saying although I think it's an amazing movie but to each there own I guess

[@JeffBilkins]

I kinda liked it as blockbuster popcorn at the time. It was big and loud and had all the likeable actors doing their cheesy Hollywood disaster stuff.

[@neighslayer768]

Hate this movie all you want, it was still better than Godzilla 2014 in one very important way. It wasn't boring.

[@EonAJC1988]

As a 9 year old when this was released. Being in the theatre, who had little to no knowledge of Godzilla. This movie was freaking AWESOME!

[@jpgcne]

Great!! Looks like it hit its target audience, then . Blech!

[@velociraptor8984]

That movie would have been more appreciate if it was not called Godzilla ....

[@Lewwyy]

Why? That's like saying the new Jurassic Park movies would have been better off being called Dino-Land. I mean they are so far from what Jurassic Park originally was and is meant to be that they're not even the same type of movies. But hey... it's still called Jurassic Park. Just cause I think the newer JP's suck doesn't mean it should be stripped of it's title. It's a different take on Godzilla and honestly I prefer it 1000 times more than the new Godzilla movies. Where he's friends with the humans, barely kills anyone, if anyone at all. I half expect Godzilla to raise an eyebrow and let out a chuckle when the main character tells a joke. Just so lame. Atleast in this version he was a terrifying unpredictable misunderstood monster. Not a super predictable friendly lizard who walks off into the sunset after " saving " the earth. New Godzilla is a giant wuss compared to the 1998 Zilla. Godzilla 1998 ate people and stomped on people and ate cars, destroyed buildings and truly didn't give a f. New zilla farts and says, "Excuse me."

[@tafsir5780]

Whats not to like of Godzilla 98, it was massive when it cameout, still love watching it when it comes on tv still to this day ,

[@djmexicanodetx2195]

I remember seeing Godzilla 98 at the movie theater. It was a packed house opening weekend.

[@trinaq]

I love that Roland Emmerich deliberately parodied Siskel and Ebert through the mayor and his assistant after they were vocal about their distaste for "Independence Day."

[@ECKohns]

Gene Siskel responded to it saying, “If you’re gonna make fun of us, wby not have us get eaten or stepped on?”

[@titusmccarthy]

A little on the nose and not very funny. Even though Siskel & Ebert were snobs a lot of the time. See their review of the Christmas horror movie Silent Night Deadly Night.

[@nintenskull1540]

Me two

[@Omar-wq9dz]

Jan De Bont’s version should have been made, instead of this. Despite many liberties taken with the Godzilla story, it would have made a better movie

[@alienboy1322]

I agree.

[@15blackshirt]

That version was too close to having Gamera's origins

[@MartyMcFly88]

It would have been good if it wasn’t called “Godzilla” because it’s a good monster movie… just not a good Godzilla movie. Why does he look like an iguana?! This isn’t Godzilla.

[@JurassicRod]

It may not be a great GODzilla movie but it's a really fun giant monster film with a cool design monster. I don't understand the hate it still gets. Especially with the retcon that it's it's own unique monster (Zilla) now. I'd love to see Zilla brought into the current Monsterverse.

[@mlungelwac.dlamini6059]

Godzilla 1998 was such an awesome movie, I watch every opportunity I get on TV.

[@paulbates2626]

I like this movie.

[@rhinox3474]

Much respect for the Al Leong shout out.

[@Dr_1212]

"Running would be a good idea."

[@walkerpantera]

I LOVE the special effects of this movie. when he comes to Manhattan, that was the best 5 minutes of the movie. I actually saw it 5 times when it came out, taking different friends. its long and has ALOT of boring parts but I love all the Godzilla scenes in 1998 version.

[@tedgruver7618]

This movie was my introduction to Godzilla.

[@averagecarpentryskills7148]

I'm nostalgic for it. I considered it bad for years but now I have grown to appreciate all these mid to late 90s Summer blockbuster over the top movies like it and Independence Day.

[@JurassicKM]

Is this the worst Godzilla movie ever? No. All Monsters Attack/Godzilla's Revenge is. Say what you will about this movie, and I get there is a LOT to say, but at least it had enough creativity to try and put their own spin on the creature, even while missing the point, and employing movie crews to create that vision. All Monsters Attack relies mostly on recycled footage from previous films while a kid dreams he's on Monster Island while being kidnapped. Also, to anyone who complains about Godzilla not being in Godzilla movies enough? Yeah, that's the norm. While he had 27 mins of screentime in 1993's Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla 2, he usually averages about 10-13 min screentime.

[@dougbutabi5085]

“Uh thank you very much” just killed me.

[@TomasMattvids]

The physical effects were good and Jean Reno was nice. I felt the movie was little long and the baby Godzillas scene felt like it was Jurassic Park.

[@cartooncaleb24]

"Nick Cannon sized amount of children" killed me XD Great review as always Jesse!

[@Rbcop1]

The 1998 Godzilla was great. Godzilla's design is also awesome.

[@AVGJ3859]

The movie isn't that bad. It is a decent popcorn flick. It is not perfect, but I have alot of memories of it. I remember going to Burger King and collected it's toys. Quality.

[@MrXon]

Godzilla 1998 was really a remake of 1953 film 'The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms' which also inspired the original 1955 Godzilla film.

[@godzillapunisher9912]

For me it was always a bad godzilla film, but as a movie by itself, it fine. A little too long, but Hank Azaria and Jean Reno were the best parts.

[@ukmediawarrior]

I actually really enjoy this movie, lol :)

[@jfbmf1242]

It would be the worst if I actually considered a Godzilla movie.

[@DoctorPretorious616]

Great review, Jesse Shade always comes through with these videos!

[@kendalflongbeard2935]

A decent summer monster movie....just a horrible Godzilla movie.

[@kyj565]

This just fits the "I need 2 hours of drivvle to watch for 2 hours" category. The kind of thing you put on when a friend says "I'll be their in an hour" but they're the kind that always shows up late. The kind of movie you enjoy watching, but don't care about stopping and coming back to finish,,,, or not.

[@glennwelsh9784]

This is actually a guilty pleasure of mine. Yes, it has a bunch of cliché characters, pointed parodies of Siskel and Ebert, and a "Godzilla" that is a poorly misguided attempt to make Godzilla "realistic" by making him a giant frightened iguana that makes the character virtually unrecognizable. But it has a cheesy charm to it and it transports me right back to the summer of 1998 each time I watch it.

[@andrewnewman55]

I loved this when I was a kid

[@carkeyss2589]

The worst godzilla movie is godzillas revenge aka all monsters attack.

[@jpgcne]

Tomatoes...Tomatoes...

[@matiasshaw2185]

I feel like the hate that this movie gets is just childish and stupid. It's been 25 years and y'all still can't stop complaining about this movie. All because of the fact that Roland Emerrick wasn't a Godzilla fan? If that's the case then y'all should be criticizing him. That being said, I actually enjoyed this movie. Yeah it has its flaws but it's actually entertaining. People act like this is the worst Godzilla movie to be made when Son of Godzilla and Godzilla's revenge exist and yet nobody's bashing them. Son of Godzilla was so boring then I fell asleep. I would rather watch the 1998 Godzilla movie than watch it. And I do like Godzilla's design in this movie. It's actually unique

[@bodacious117]

This movie is a guilty pleasure of mine.. always enjoyed it a lot… this movie was not a bomb not even close

[@christopherulichney]

I remember reading somewhere that Devlin wanted to do a remake of the Beast from 20,000 leagues but the studio wanted a Godzilla movie. So he merged the two ideas and we got this. If this movie was called anything else it would be remembered as a fun monster movie, but because they called it Godzilla it's a POS.

[@Zice033]

I don’t think anything else can truly encapsulate the two sides of Godzilla quite like The Showa Era Celebration Dance superimposed over the Trinity test as portrayed in OPPENHEIMER. Also, using James Rolfe’s reading of “I’M THE BABY, GOTTA LOVE ME!” Is just uniquely hilarious. As for GODZILLA ‘98, it’s BARELY a Godzilla movie. It’s a generic monster movie with the merchandising rights to the king of the monsters.

[@Ozzywozzy]

If Zilla looked like Godzilla, it may have worked. Still Matthew Broderick was a big disappointment.

[@zv3456u-]

Matthew Br0derick, Jean Ren0 and Hank Azaria are amazing in G0dzilla

[@baxterwilson368]

11:37 I remember watching that episode and finding it cool that Siskel managed to review this from the hospital. I miss those guys.

[@platinumpagoda3079]

I remember working at a theater when this came out, it was pretty much dead after the first night.

[@JoBloOriginals]

I was there opening night and you could feel the air go out of the room.

[@platinumpagoda3079]

@@JoBloOriginals I bet 😁. I was an usher the first two nights that it released. I did a "theater check" on Saturday night and it only had like 15 people during the evening showing. It's reputation grew quickly.

[@JurassicRod]

There are FAR worse Godzilla movies than the 98 film.

[@jpgcne]

Subjectively, I can say. No way, Jose 😂😂😂

[@matiasshaw2185]

Right? Godzilla's revenge is one of them.

[@julianpagano1659]

I grew up with this movie, I completely understand why Godzilla fans hate it, but I still like it, too many fun memories... Plus it gave us Godzilla the series which is fucking awesome, and nobody can deny that!!!

[@Rhinoxsaurus]

Still better than Godzilla's revenge and whatever the anime triology was

[@raheemhamilton8624]

Godzilla Revenge is the worst Godzilla movie.

[@matiasshaw2185]

Yeah it is

[@Hvanudetfornoget]

Love this movie, however Matthew Broderick is such a bad cast lol. Hes like an old teenager, if that was intended or not he just doesnt fit at all imo.

[@mauricecarroll243]

I thought it was a fantastic movie. I really enjoyed it.

[@limberlad]

You forgot the fourth Simpsons cast member, Dan Castellaneta has a 2 second scene at the basketball game

[@GeorgeCostanzais10.]

Godzilla 98 was the chosen movie for the inaugural session of the brand new high tech multiplex at my hometown’s largest mall. Even the manager made a presentation of the features before the trailers… What a shame: a mess of a movie, a waste of talented actors and a complete bore fest.

[@Gallo89]

This was one of my favorite childhood movies…I thought this was a good movie

[@rickisgrate]

AVGN cameo makes me happy

[@nathanielbacon2661]

Awww, leave Julie Kavner alone. Marge is the best!

[@pheunithpsychic-watertype9881]

This movie got me through many a boring saturday after cartoons were done.

[@adamcammack3534]

When the folks at TOHO said it took the GOD out of GODZILLA I think you have your answer, Also whats with all the Simpsons actors?

[@BioGoji-zm5ph]

Is having Simpsons actors really a bad thing, though?

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

To be far, I was 15 and the marketing targeted my age group heavily, we were all drinking out of our BIG godzilla cups.

[@darktimes6279]

I went to see this aged 12 with my dad. To be honest, we both loved it at the time!

[@krispysox]

This is actually a nice movie to mong out to. It's got that oldschool warmth, flaws and all. The Siskel and Ebert stuff is bang out of order though. Nostalgia colours ones glasses I suppose.

[@callanhutchison1871]

12:43 - blasphemy

[@Irongiant99]

I love this as a monster movie, not a Godzilla movie

[@justintrejos1593]

My god. At the moment I’m watching this I just got off of a flight from where it was raining and where I got off it’s still raining and it was constantly raining in this movie! Sometimes I love irony.

[@Joeyspinoff]

😮I’ve always missed the references to Roger Ebert… 😅

[@jamesbounds]

This movie has a pretty good cast all things considered.

[@SirMeowsAlot89]

I consider it the worst or second worst Godzilla film. However, I also consider it a good monster movie. (Just pretend it’s not Godzilla). I own the steelbook.

[@jorgezarco9269]

George Lazenby acted in the 1971 anti-war film Universal Soldier. The 1992 Universal Soldier was "Rambo meets The Terminator".

[@mrmusickhimself]

The whole Siskel and Ebert thing just confused me. At least the casting was spot on, especially Michael Lerner as Ebert, may they both rest in peace.

[@jamesbond1986007]

my introduction to Godzilla i think was at a local video rental stores, i remember getting Godzilla 1985 on vhs for a rental, it was either then or on when i used to watch Godzilla movies on the space channel back in the 90s

[@velociraptor4you3291]

*No,* this *isn’t* the “worst” Godzilla film ever made. Heck, IMHO, it’s not even the worst Kaiju film ever made, period. _That_ honor goes to “Reptilian/Yongary (1999).” For as long as I live, I will _always_ be an ardent defender of this movie and its titular monster (✊).

[@DeathbySkullfxxx]

Uhm... "its not even the worst"... it COULD be the worst Godzilla and not be the worst Kaiju movie. Doesnt work the other way around. If it were the worst Kaiju movie it wohld HAVE to be the worst Godzilla movie

[@velociraptor4you3291]

@@DeathbySkullfxxx Well, I _respectfully disagree._

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

@@velociraptor4you3291well you can defend garbage, it’s still garbage. 🗑️

[@velociraptor4you3291]

@@theitfactorjameswheezer2852 I *_respectfully disagree._* "Godzilla 1998" *isn't* a "garbage" movie to me IMHO; it _never_ was, and it _never_ will be. Please don't argue with me about this.

[@indygeo4267]

20:25 Really wish that "Hippie Vietnam Guy" had a larger role in this movie.

[@bloodkiss4491]

the Bueller joke mades my day XD

[@greendro6410]

In this movie Godzilla looked more like a dinosaur than a lizard 😆😂🤣

[@jasonaugustine3370]

People probably don’t remember, but in wargames, he made a joke about asexual reproduction with his biology teacher

[@davidcharlton847]

I actually liked this movie ! It’s a silly popcorn movie . I thought it went down hill when the baby zillas entered the movie but other than that it was cool

[@Siegbert85]

Yep, I thought so too. I had a pretty good time in the cinema back then.

[@brn2579]

I saw this and Godzilla 2000 when I was a kid and I always liked this one more. Granted I haven't seen either for over twenty years.

[@garyhall7867]

Man, not letting us know it's Jessie Shade is a great idea

[@abdelali9279]

20:55 can't believe Godzilla stole the sequel teaser from the Super Mario Bros. Movie with the Yoshi egg and everything!

[@jasonsaville8822]

So glad they threw in the Robot Chicken skit! All i could think of the whole video!

[@dietdrpepper15]

I'm convinced that I was the only one who liked this version. : ) But that might be cause I like Broderick.

[@matiasshaw2185]

I like it too

[@mushuwu]

The actor for Mendel Craven (Malcolm Denare) also returned for the animated series!

[@wstine79]

SIZE DOES MATTER! JESSE SHADE DOES MATTER!

[@JoBloOriginals]

He sure does!

[@Ironstarfish]

Yeah it sucked

[@matiasshaw2185]

Son of Godzilla sucked

[@LightningZetton]

I feel like Godzilla 1998 is considered a non godzilla movie like varan, mothra, and rodan. Because Godzilla 98 would be renamed zilla and GMK would reference the events of that movie saying that the americans thought it was godzilla, And in Godzilla final wars Zilla appears showing that zilla is not a godzilla. I heard the trademark for zilla died??? idk how that works

[@theitfactorjameswheezer2852]

It doesn’t expire till 2027

[@jpgcne]

I do believe you're referring to GFW and not GMK

[@serwinzzalot9989]

It wasn't a bomb. Also this movie was ki da fun. It had good atmosphere and some decent cgi at the time. The characters were kinda blah aside from the French guys. They were fun but the Madison Square garden scene was just a tad too much chasing. I still watch it and I love the intro for a speaker test

[@myfriendcaffeine-tb2fn]

There is nothing, not ONE thing good about this dog turd of a movie. Every single thing, the acting, the script, the direction is awful.

[@matiasshaw2185]

It's at least entertaining unlike Son of Godzilla.

[@ericfunk1361]

I'd be curious as to what was higher, the budget for this movie or the budget for the marketing for the movie. The marketing was more memorable than the movie.

[@MatiasEzze]

¿Was really THAT bad? I remember being a hit back in the day, at least in my country.

[@CPBoxsetPlaylists]

Even Zilla can't handle a Jessy burning.

[@mitzack]

I was 7 at the time of its release, and I was the perfect age for all the toys and merchandise! I remember my poor father having to drag my spoiled self to see it 3X’s! Lol! It’s still a guilty pleasure for me too, when I need the feels of nostalgia. Nowhere near the treasure I held it at in my younger years but still a good time

[@Godzillaking695]

You're actually right. This is the worst Godzilla design because Godzilla as my favorite monster. As a Monsterverse fan. This design is a disgrace.

[@jolee51282]

Haha good jokes on Ebert and Siskel. Should have had Godzilla step on em or eat them

[@safebox36]

I mean the survivor was saying the name how the Japanese pronounce it; gojira.

[@okidokicreations1075]

I was always sad because they killed poor Godzilla

[@viruschris3160]

Best thing about this movie... it gave us Godzilla: The Animated Series. I LOVE that cartoon.

[@Pearls_Have_Eyes]

in a couple decades kids are gonna find this movie and fall in love

[@zuntata7860]

as long Godzilla VS Megalon exist nothing will ever be the "worst Godzilla movie"

[@MasterChef12109]

I always thought it was an awesome movie. I still think it is. I have no idea why people hated it so much.

[@BioGoji-zm5ph]

Well, it's more that we hate how the monster doesn't deserve to be called "Godzilla." I agree that this is a decent monster movie in its own right, but no self-respecting Godzilla movie should have Godzilla deliberately run from the military and die from conventional weaponry. Basically, G-fans dislike it because its portrayal of the title character feels like a betrayal of what Godzilla should be.

[@LiamDalley-jd1kc]

I feel like Roland Emmerich went out of his way to make this Godzilla feel nothing like what Godzilla should be even down to rejecting Stan Winston’s design for Godzilla. Heck even Roland Emmerich made characters based on Siskel and Ebert and didn’t kill them off