Gojira- 1954- Directed by Ishiro Honda

Gojira- 1954- Directed by Ishiro Honda

            Shortly after atomic blasts off the coast of Japan claim two fishing boats leaving only a few survivors behind, a small coastal city experiences a terrible storm that destroys homes and kills a few of the villagers too. At this point the director alludes to Gojira’s presence but chooses not to show the creature, tension is built up by using close up shots of very expressive faces, they get to see Gojira but we don’t. The destroyed village is examined after the storm passes and a scientist determines that the creature is of an atomic species and incredibly old, as he discovers a trilobite within one of the creature’s foot print. The scientists are using hand held radiation meters; this scene is the first hint of any type technology or science in the film. It isn’t long until Gojira is officially terrorizing Japan, the first glimpse of Gojira comes as he if fleeing back into the sea. The perspective shot of Gojira towering over a mountainside. He is a massive reptile/dinosaur, beast hybrid. His signature, deafening squeal resonates throughout most of these scenes. It seems to be man versus beast at this point. The Japanese military starts dropping depth charges off the coast in attempts to kill the beast, eventually they decide to build an electric fence around the entire coast to keep Gojira out, after he destroys another town. The scenes of Gojira destroying sky scrapers and squashing skylines are powerful in contrast to deeper, underlying content of American nuclear attacks on Japan at the end of World War II, attacks that leveled several large Japanese cities. There happens to be a young scientist that holds the solution to destroying Gojira but he fears the social and scientific repercussions of such a powerful weapon, his Oxygen Destroyer is capable of removing all the oxygen in water making it incredibly destructive. His fears are that his creation could be used by the wrong people to cause more destruction and maintain stronghold based in fear. After another Gojira attack the young scientist is convinced that he has to use his Oxygen Destroyer, but insists he must be the one to release his own creation and only after destroying the written plans. The young scientist goes on to release the Oxygen Destroyer off the coast of Japan, killing himself and Gojira. The flesh sizzles off the beast leaving nothing but his skeletal remains. Japan is safe once again, the end.

            Gojira is an entertaining, weird and exciting film all while posing interesting moral and social questions along the way. The dialog allows some characters to question what is right or wrong in regards to their actions on larger social implications, they question what might happen later on and whether those actions are worth it. Gojira even has a bit of a love story woven into it and really touches on some human emotion and frustration. The atomic content in this film is what makes this a successful sci-fi film instead of just a monster or horror movie. Gojira is successful in exposing contemporary, real life fears and behavior through imaginative and progressive imagery.