MovieChat Forums > Godzilla 1985 (1985) Discussion > Godzilla's Appearance

Godzilla's Appearance

posted 18 years ago by sdipietro1
28 replies | jump to latest

I have never really heard or read any type of criticism about Godzilla's appearance in this film. I for one love it to death since it is completley appropriate to the tone of the film. And he(in my opinion)actually "looks" terrifying aside from the fact that he can level cities in a matter of hours. I often compare this version to other versions and I never stopped thinking that this is the best. This is the only version of the beast that convinces me that he is truly out to destroy and cause horror on the planet. (Especially the scene when the SuperX is destroyed and Godzilla just stares and growls at the three people before actually going after them...*shivers*) What do u guys think?

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] barrowfam0512 11 years ago

I always thought that this suit, much like the movie itself, was always the more under rated of all in the series. He looks sinister again, definitely not the "Muppet Show" Godzilla that ended the Showa era of films. This suit always held my top spot, until Godzilla 2000. It's really a shame they only used this Godzilla for the one movie.

[–] trekkie313 11 years ago

The animatronic head really made him seem more alive than any previous movie.

"Listen, do you smell something? -Ray Stantz"

[–] MTBan717 10 years ago

The Godzilla suit in this movie isn't as muscular as later incarnations, and the shoulders are way too narrow (which is mostly because Ken Satsuma, the guy who played Godzilla in this movie, was not originally supposed to wear the suit - it was designed for a taller, broader-shouldered actor).

So I wish the body of the suit had been better. But...I do share the sentiments of everyone that when it comes to facial features, this is the most sinister-looking incarnation of Godzilla in the franchise's history. The zombie-esque stare in his eyes and the sharp fangs gave him an appropriate look for the tone of the movie. The suit designer succeeded in giving him more character while simultaneously making him look more believable as a gigantic animal. And the lip-curling effects on the big robot Godzilla were pretty impressive, though I wish the robot had more closely matched the appearance of the suit. The inconsistency in appearance between the two is a little bit distracting.

I also agree that this Godzilla has by far the best roar of any Godzilla, ever. The sound effects guy on this movie deserves a minor accolade not only for the roar, but for the other sounds Godzilla makes in the film (i.e. the throaty growling, sniffing the air at the nuclear power plant, his footsteps, etc.)

One other thing to mention - Godzilla's appearance in this movie wasn't just good because the suit was good: Credit this movie's director for knowing how to film it effectively. The director of "Godzilla: 1984" is pretty much the only director the franchise has ever had who appreciates how to make a six-foot tall man in a suit feel 80 meters tall, mostly through mastery of low-angle shots. During the nuclear power plant scene, for example, study that one ground-level tracking shot of Godzilla as he approaches the facility and you see his silhouette crossing over a power line (for those of you who have the DVD, it runs from 33:58 to about 34:04). It's only one brief shot in the movie, but it's shots like this one which make suspension of disbelief possible.

So I would say that this is definitely one of my favorite incarnations of Godzilla, even if it's not perfect.

[–] mustainedisciple 10 years ago

Absolutely love this version of Big G. Whenever I think of Godzilla, 1984(5) is the visual I see. They nailed it here.

Sucks that they changed the head piece after this film. The Biollante Godzilla looks like a damn cat. Hate it.

[–] lm362 9 years ago

I didn't feel he was out to destroy and cause terror on the planet. He came ashore to feed off of a nuclear plant, people fired on him and he struck back. Plus, from the way this Godzilla looked, it looked like a female. Never before did any Godzilla have the eyes this one had. Very feminine looking, at least to me.
But I will admit that in one scene when he looks at the camera, oh that was so scary. I don't think any of the other movies had him doing that. I believe it's the scene where the man and woman were starting to run and he woke up and looked at them.

[–] Woodyanders 8 years ago

Godzilla was one quite fearsome and ferocious beast in this film. His battle with the Super X in particular was a definite highlight.

I've been chasing grace/ But grace ain't easy to find