Godzilla: Final Wars (2004) Movie Review {Godzilla Reviews Ep. 29}

[@dusterrant9332]

It's pure cheese. Sometimes it hits the spot, but you REALLY need to be in the mood for it lol. While Godzilla 2014 is next, I have to say, I'm super looking forward to your review of Shin Godzilla.

[@feslenraster]

But I think that was done somewhat on purpose too, no? I mean it wasn't serious from the start of the project, if I remember correctly.

[@dimitripapadopoulos5180]

@@feslenraster Manilit was clearly there as a gag. It's like an episode of the power rangers. Action, goofy comedy and all that.

[@sumo0172]

Wow! You literally nailed how I feel about this one. It's such a bizarre yet enjoyable movie

[@ConstantineFurman]

Was "Godzilla: Final Wars" considered cool? No. "Godzilla: Final Wars" wound up being the biggest bomb of the series, only making 13 million dollars at the Japanese box office on an 18 million dollar budget, the biggest budget of the series at the time (none of the extra money went to the special effects, by the way. Kitamura blew it all on stuff he didn't need). Before it opened in Japan, though, it had a world premiere in Los Angeles at the Graumann's Chinese Theater. Huge, red carpet premiere, with a lot of stars attending. Toho hoped that this premiere would help the movie get a U.S. theatrical release. Well, over the course of the night, most of the people on hand walked out of the movie. Word of mouth about the movie spread overnight and any hopes for a theatrical release were squashed right then and there. The Japanese hate Ryuhei Kitamura's films. In fact, he's more well-known over there for saying "weird things" (as I was told) on Japanese talk shows than for his movies. Toho hired him because his movies were popular with young Americans and they thought that would help them get a theatrical release over here. Allegedly, when producer Shogo Tomiyama viewed the finished film for the first time, he let everyone leave the room, then turned to his assistant and said "We're in trouble." Keith Emerson didn't write all of the score. After it was done, Toho hired two other Japanese composers to come in and compose better music for the film (the track you hear during the South Pole prologue and when Godzilla defeats Kaiser Ghidorah [his real name; "Keizer" isn't a word, but Toho doesn't seem to care] is one of these replacement tracks). The turtle figure the kid is playing with (which of course, is a knock at Gamera) is Squirtle from "Pokemon."

[@Weiselberry]

Ah, I thought it looked like Squirtle! I had no idea the director was so controversial or the film so poorly received by both sides on its initial release. I'd had the impression it was considered a good one by fans, but apparently it falls more into the category of "so bad, it's good," at least for some.

[@feslenraster]

@@Weiselberry I wish there was a way we can support you ie through Patreon or something, Jerome :)

[@feslenraster]

@@Weiselberry I enjoyed it for the cheese, but never liked it as an actual Godzilla film. My favorite part was where he freakin killed "Zilla" in one swipe lol. I forgot, did you review American Godzilla blech-not 2014, the Matthew Broderick one. It's as if someone intentionally made Batman movies comical..oh wait.

[@Nchubbz]

King Caeser punting Anguirus like a football and Godzilla diving for the save changed my damned life. It sold me on the movie! This is my rainy day/bad mood movie. Whenever I'm bummed out or have to stay at home because of the rain, I put it on and revel in the absolute fuster cluck of a plot and over the top action and monster battles. Any other time I would probably turn it off or scroll along Twitter and occasionally glance up to the screen. Super fun and puts me in a good mood with its goofiness.

[@boopdoop991]

Final Wars is in my top 5 Godzilla films, believe or not. (Number 4 to be specific). I absolutely love this movie! It's ridiculous and over the top in the greatest way, in my opinion. Yeah, it's really dumb, but man it's awesome! Also, can not wait for the Shin Godzilla review! (My 2nd fav Godzilla movie) It's genuinely the scariest Godzilla has ever been.

[@bewd2501]

Don't kid yourself. You are very cool.

[@briggscharleton6139]

Saw it in the theater. The most bombastic of all Godzilla movies. Loved it. We all cheered when the American Godzilla is easily defeated.

[@varanid9]

Godzilla meets The X-Men meets The Matrix meets Independence Day. Plus, nostalgic plot points from Invasion of Astro-Monster, Atragon, Gorath and Destroy All Monsters. As you say, a lot going on.

[@sageantone7291]

"I've resolved to go to bed early! Finally, I'll lay my head at a respectable hour. Not one minute after midnight! Nothing will interfere." ...aaaaand, new Weiselberry review. 😵

[@darkwolf9253]

I think it can be summed up as 'endearingly dumb'. That's how I've always felt about it.... As far as 'was it ever cool?' I think it actually bombed when it came out. I like it myself, but I do have to be in the mood for it.

[@shawnlopez2317]

Awesome review! This was suppose to be the end of the Toho Godzilla series or at least they where going to put Godzilla to bed for a little while, but they can never stay away.

[@HydraSpectre1138]

Godzilla: Final Wars is the very first non-English live action film to be shot and edited 100% digitally (except for the stock footage). The very first non-English live action film to have a digital intermediate was Amélie in 2001, and the very first 100% digital foreign films were My Neighbors the Yamadas in 1999 and Spirited Away in 2001. For comparison, the very first 100% digitally shot live action film was Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones in 2002, the very first live action film that had a digital intermediate was Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, while the very first 100% digital films are The Rescuers Down Under in 1990 and Beauty and the Beast in 1991.

[@alandhopewell]

This movie really put the FUN back in Godzilla for me; my favorite part was the fake "Godzilla" gets his clock cleaned in Sydney. The villain is a real hoot, and the entire movie took me back to watching MAD THEATER on Saturday afternoon in the Seventies.

[@winterburden]

This one looks fascinating, thanks for sharing!

[@Tatkirbologna]

I was so glad to see Keith Emerson’s name listed in the credits! I highly recommend the band, Emerson Lake and Palmer. I listen to them all the time.

[@ChristopherElli-cc1ly]

This is a 10 year Japanese boys G-fan sugar cereal induced fever dream. "Lets throw in the kitchen sink!" type movie. Its so hyper, but i love it. I thought if it the end of Toho Gogira, so new Destroy All Monsters was fine. Where Megalon and Titanosaurus?

[@aukrest]

I think I saw this for the first time when I was 10 years old on Starz or cable around 2005. For a 10 year old boy who was into Godzilla, Final Wars was probably the coolest thing ever at the time. It was only years later when I went to revisit it did I realize "wow this is pretty bad" but now I see it as an admittedly campy and flawed film that can still be enjoyed if you are in the right frame of mind.

[@13down13]

So this movie is another five-owl review? That could be your review ratings - number of owls behind you. This may be my favorite movie of the Millennium series - need to see it more. It is so far over the top it's indescribable. It's got everything but the kitchen sink, but if I watch it another few times a may find that sink. I agree with you about the leads - the main guy grows on you and the villain is so campy, it's great. Even though Don Frye is not an actor, I think he gives the second best American/westerner performance of the series - sorry Robert Scott Field. It's great to see all of the cameos - monsters and humans. Of course Kumi Mizuno is a fan favorite as you said. You should see her in Matango - the camera absolutely loves her in that movie. Besides Gorath, as another viewer commented, the movie also references Atragon with the flying ships (Gotengo) - didn't see any other non-G Toho references. This was planned to be the last G film for awhile even before it came out, so the bad box office didn't influence that. The director preferred the 70's G movies, which is why the references are to the Showa series almost exclusively. Except for Zilla, which many, including the Japanese, love to hate. I personally loved that Zilla was dispatched so easily. Even though G didn't get the attention you thought he should have, he did show why he has the title "King of Monsters".

[@user-neptune84]

When I first saw this movie it was like a mix of X-Men and Matrix the first movie my niece watch she thought king Caesar was a rabbit

[@Ray-M59]

Just binge watched all of your Godzilla reviews (and subscribed).....now, when are you getting around to Gamera?

[@Weiselberry]

Hey, thanks for subscribing! I'm hoping to get to Gamera sometime next year. I don't feel the same level of commitment to that series, but right now I'm planning to at least watch the very first one and the '90s films.

[@Ray-M59]

Oh that’s good! I’ll be suprised if you don’t end up loving everybody’s giant fire breathing, flying turtle! Particularly the Heisei trilogy! The Shōwa era can be patience testing for many but it has to be remembered that from the third movie in, they came to be aimed at children (like us) so keep that in mind....but the 90’s trilogy along with the later Gamera the Brave are amongst my favourite films of all time not just in the Kaiju genre. I look forward to your views!

[@mariobastien1858]

If Godzilla characters were Sonic characters... Godzilla as Sonic Anguirus as Tails Rodan as Knuckles Mothra as Amy King Ghidorah as Dr. Eggman Mechagodzilla as Metal Sonic Gigan as Infinite Megalon as Zavok Hedorah as Chaos Zilla as Silver Gorosaurus as Vector

[@mrkillums8219]

One of my favorites growing up, great review 👍

[@lepidlover0557]

I just hate how the shobojin made it seem like the fight between Mithra and Gigan was a big thing, but then when they had to fight a second time...she barely did anything. She rushed to Godzilla's side, coming from a volcano, causing water and debris to fly everywhere AND even rammed into Gigan TWICE, only for the rest of the battle to just flap her wings at him 😐

[@7sN1412]

I love this movie for how crazy it is, even though I wouldn't call it good or decent. The action scenes involving humans are especially bad since they lack realism in movements and attacks. Every time an action scene happens I find myself unengaged with what's happening unless it's a kaiju battle of course. But in the right mindset, you will accept its flaws and have an enjoyable ride living the craziness of it.

[@legiontheatregroup]

Great review, and I totally agree with you on this film.

[@Weiselberry]

Thanks!

[@GamerMinilla]

Ah Final Wars....ya either love it or ya hate it. Personally, I think for the 50th anniversary film, we should've gotten a somber and grim solo film like the original, 84 or Shin, but that's just me. Anybody who likes Final Wars is fine to do so, but I just can't lol

[@noirgatherer]

Your take is very much the same as mine. And if I remember correctly I believe the film lost money at the box office in Japan, it could be because it was a very expensive film but it didn’t really connect with audiences. Also a lot of references to the non Godzilla Toho sci-fi films in there like Gorath (the wayward orange glowing planet). After you cycle through all the Toho sci-fi films would love to see you take on Gamera.

[@dnckrk1701]

Hi JW. I know this is an old review, but I'm still exploring your previous stuff. FW is my least favorite Millennium era film, but I still find things to like about it. Bad: Godzilla is hardly in the first hour of the movie. Also, the mutants are somewhat boring. I don't much care about their storyline. Good: Lots of kaiju in the latter parts of the film, and Don Frye stands out as the over the top human protagonist. Overall, not a terrible movie (no Godzilla film is, in my opinion), but one I fast-forward through to get to the good parts.

[@Dr5ives]

Hey Jerome! You made it through the "Godzilla Gauntlet" Cheers! This was a rough one to finish on. Thank You in advance for Your patience, as this paragraph is gonna be way too long. This movie is way too long also, and I've loved/hated this film for years. Some tips on watching this "disasterpiece." *Don't even try to follow the plot. The bad guys don't even know what's going on. They keep changing their plans every ten minutes. *Eight and a half movies went into the making of this film. Most notably, "Independence Day" and "The Matrix" (that guy really looks like Keanu Reeves) *Turn up the TV as loud as possible, and have plenty of junk food available to snack on. Burgers, pizza, chips, soda, etc. This will help distract the brain from making any rational thoughts while watching this epic. *This film contains one of the longest questions and shortest answers in a Godzilla film, (paraphrasing) Cap. Whatsisname: "Are You saying we should take the ship to the South Pole and,..... free Godzilla from the ice... then... lead him back to the mainland … and uh... destroy all the monsters... and then.....stop the space ship and the visitors....after that...we lead Godzilla back to the Antarctic ……and then find a way to seal him back up?...……..is that what You're saying?!?!...…." Sgt. Mustache :……….."Yup"...…. Lastly the music is very different with the title tracks performed by one of my musical heroes, Keith Emerson here is a link to the score kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWLFYaeIhpetsKc Thank You again, I've been waiting for Your review on this one. Wow this paragraph is too long best to you D5

[@jiinx1048]

Great review jw,we need more blooper content,those got me cracking up☺

[@firegodzilla11]

Godzilla final wars is my favorite Godzilla movie

[@hottysquirrel]

Hey Jerome, are you gonna review Godzilla 2014, Godzilla King of Monsters and Shin Godzilla? I know you did a review of King of Monsters but you said in that review the theater wasn't an ideal place to watch it. Also the lesson on "being cool 😎" is just being yourself, I once tried to kiss butt and hang with the cool kids in middle school but never felt right about it. High-school I grew more into myself, hanged out with friends that I felt were my friends and not the "cool kids", I was even questioned by said cool kids why I hanged out with the friends i did and I said because they're cool. Long story short, one of the cool kids is now a drug addict so who's cool now lol.

[@ChimenExpress]

I would like to know what you think of the Star Wars movies.

[@Weiselberry]

I've done a few Star Wars reviews and mini reviews here and there. You can find those videos in my Star Wars/Star Trek playlist.

[@donniehuynh2391]

I remembered watching the film when I was a young kid.

[@muzankibutsuji1895]

My favorite movie

[@Nordic_Aquarius.3-]

I didn't finish it, i like funny stuff but your stronger than me by watching this movie

[@HydraSpectre1138]

The Earth Defense Force is a reference to the original Japanese title of The Mysterians.

[@d.s.archer5903]

14:54 Hey Jerome. I don't care if you've "never been cool" - you are such a sweet, pretty young woman!

[@feslenraster]

ditto. and ANY fellow Zilla fan is amazing :). I could talk shop with her about Godzilla and his universe forever...if she were my RL friend or internet friend!

[@d.s.archer5903]

@@feslenraster I entirely agree!

[@gioiacobucci]

I wish I could enjoy this movie the way a lot of other people do, but I just find it obnoxious and tacky. If it had impressive martial arts fighting rather than choppily-edited bland choreography, and better tokusatsu sequences, and more attention to detail to nailing the texture and swinging fun of the Showa era, it could be a lovingly-crafted throwback. But it just feels like an Uwe Boll movie, or a particularly bad Paul WS Anderson movie from the era. Godzilla deserves better; the last time I watched it, I was struck feeling this is just the kind of bargain bin junk a lot of people dismiss the franchise as being. That beautiful Noriyoshi Ohrai poster art is great, though!

[@mark4163]

The first time I saw this movie I thought it was . . . meh. It has really grown on me with subsequent viewings. Now I regard it as a misunderstood masterpiece.

[@DupontandLowesWarrior]

Godzilla Blowing Zilla into the Sydney Opera House was the best part

[@firegodzilla11]

are you going review Godzilla 2014 shin Godzilla and the new 2019 Godzilla king of the monsters

[@gfan84]

Yay! Finally, thank you for the review!

[@mountainsoutofmolehills8352]

i had no idea that don frye was in a godzilla movie 🤣

[@dimitripapadopoulos5180]

This movie was perfect and anyone who says otherwise is a fool. I try to not nit pick movies. The prologue and title sequence, corny stuff , stuff that seemingly doesn't make sense. That sort of stuff doesn't bother me. What does bother me are those cheap camera "tricks" American movies use. Shaky cam and rapid jump cuts will never replace steady wide angle shots. Your Guardians of the galaxy bad camera cuts and shaky cam does not make nebula look like a good fighter. It makes it look like an actress who doesn't know how to fight because they are afraid of hurting her pretty face. To be fair not all marvel movies are like that. Iron man 1 and 2, captain American Avengers 1 and 2 used steady wide angle shots and showed us the action. Final wars also shows us the action.

[@atomicninjazyuranger5418]

Godzilla Final Wars is my favorite movie

[@chrisdigitalartist]

Gosh...wished I seen all these Godzilla movies...I feel so left out. Lol😞😂

[@danielshottopics8187]

I Finally Just Finished Watching this Movie a few Minutes ago it was interesting, I wish there were Subtitles I Liked the Monster Fights The Special Effects were Cheesy it looks like a 80s Movie and it Sucks that The Men were the Only Ones who were Kicking ass and the Women were So Helpless and they could not even throw a single Punch I can't stand that it Irritates me. I Liked How Godzilla Destroyed Gigan by Blowing his Head off and Zilla From the 98 Movie was destroyed in a matter of Seconds, If Zilla is in this Movie does this mean that this Movie Takes place in the 98 Godzilla Movie? I Like to think so, that means Dr. Niko "Nick" Tatopoulos is out there doing his Thing.

[@brandonkahuna1251]

Great review and yes you are cool! In your own special way! 👍

[@Weiselberry]

Haha, thank you! :)

[@LegendaryMonsterverse]

godzilla final wars is the best movies of the millennium era.

[@robertrodriguez7087]

Oh man, I was wondering if this day really would ever come. I don't hate this movie...I do hate things about it...a lot of things...but I also like things about it...kind of. It's one of those movies that I tell people they have to see to really understand how ridiculous it is. But as a 50th anniversary movie (and for me personally, the first Godzilla movie I followed news about online leading up to its release), it was a huge disappointment. I think the biggest problem with it is that it just doesn't have any tonal or narrative consistency. It tries to please everyone, whether they want an action movie, an epic destruction movie, a goofy over-the-top movie, or a more straight-forward monster movie, and mostly fails to really satisfy any of them because those are all completely different things. It's a movie that almost forces you to see it from the outside instead of really pulling you in. The best thing I think I could say about it is that it wasn't really the last one. Looking forward to your thoughts on Shin Godzilla.

[@meowza3k]

Have you watched the cartoons yet?

[@Weiselberry]

I was going to say "which ones?" but since I haven't seen any of them the answer is no either way, ha.

[@Godzilla-tu2cd]

This movie was a blast. Great video as always Jerome.even though you have mixed emotions about this movie. Also will you be doing the monsterverse movie's, shin godzilla and as much it pain's me to say it the anime trilogy?

[@Weiselberry]

As of right now, I'm not planning to do the anime trilogy...

[@ronnieburton1312]

I always enjoy your reviews, Jerome, but I have a total dislike for this film! I won't list all my problems with GFW because I don't know where to start. It has a few nice-looking girls in it but that was my only "take-away". For me, this was the beginning of the end because I haven't enjoyed any of the films made since then! The WOLFMAN VS. GODZILLA videos on KZbin are much more entertaining, at least to me.

[@tyleraharden]

Great review. I agree with everything u said 🤓

[@watchinglearner]

Final Wars. More a matter of mood than of taste. Lol.

[@NeverSaySandwich1]

"As someone who isn't cool" ha ha ha

[@niallboyle5211]

I'm sorry but I'm confused. Is this movie meant to be a comedy?

[@lepidlover0557]

What about the rebirth of Mothra trilogy???

[@Weiselberry]

It's part of the after-Godzilla review plan.

[@lepidlover0557]

@@Weiselberry All right then!! Can't wait !!

[@chetthebee1322]

Final wars was a slight let down but I still liked it. The best part was when Godzilla thumped Zilla '98.

[@KiddingCell]

Very very strong 8/10 Pros Lots of action Eye popping special effects Gigans redesign Very fun characters Godzilla vs Zilla Great soundtrack Cons Some fights are too short Manda was very disappointing Middle is a bit slow

[@elodieroux6322]

Répondez moi please

[@elodieroux6322]

😞😞😞😞😞😞🥺🥺🥺🥺