This was the start of a new series of Godzilla films but unfortunately it was the last Japanese Godzilla film released in the United States until "Godzilla 2000". How ironic. Another movie with the year in the title. That's why the other ones aren't in Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide. Speaking of Maltin, I think he was too hard on this film. Ebert too. Well, audiences seemed to like it more than critics even if most of us just think it's okay and I'm one of those people. This movie had good points, but was still mostly outweighed by the bad points.This is mostly just standard Godzilla stuff with him attacking Japan and being defeated. That's really the main fault of the movie. It's supposed to be an update of the 1954 classic, but it does so few new things with the character. I watched the English version with the added scenes featuring Raymond Burr. These are easily the weakest parts of the movie, as it's easy to tell he was just shoehorned in. Honestly, the special effects aren't really that bad as some destruction does seem authentic. While by no means terrible, still a pretty weak entry. **

This a review of Godzilla 1984, the UK version, which to my knowledge is the same as the Japanese original but with English dubbing.I found the slow pace of the film quite negative. The special effects are really competent but I don't feel that the ambitions of the filmmakers went in the right direction. Musically the film is quite boring and I at least expected the iconic Godzilla Main Theme to come striding out (it does in the trailer) but unfortunately not.Godzilla does a lot of damage but could have done a lot more. Too many scenes of him just standing there daydreaming.The dubbing in the UK version is terrible. It sounds like they had 2 or 3 actors in to try doing different voices (and accents) and at one point the Prime Minister is voiced by a totally different actor.The anti-nuclear message is very clear in this film; clear to the point of becoming a protest speech. Even the climax built no suspense for me.I will give the film 4/10 because Godzilla is well done.

In the 1980's, producer Tomoyuki Tanaka had plans to make another Godzilla movie. Instead of making a sequel to 1975s Terror of MechaGodzilla, he decided to reboot the series. This film takes place directly after the 1954 Gojira taking place 30 years later, ultimately ignoring the sequels from the 50s to the 70s. In Japan, the movie was called Godzilla, in the US it's known as Godzilla 1985, but I like to call it by its international title, The Return of Godzilla.The story may be simple, but it works. It's essentially the plot of the first movie with some differences. For one thing, this is the second Godzilla creature to attack Japan. Another thing is the addition of the new flying weapon, the Super X used to stop Godzilla and ultimately failed. The major difference is the setting, the first movie was in 1954, this one is in 1984, a whole 30 years since he original attack.The acting is really well done, and the effects look spectacular. My only minor nitpick has to be the animatronic close ups of Godzillas face. It's a unique idea, but it suffers from the fact that the head doesn't resemble the suits head.Speaking of the suit, I love what they did with is suit, it resemble the 1954 Godzilla minus the ears and tiny pupils that made him look more like an animal.I can safely say it's one of the best Godzilla films I've seen in a while. It really is worth watching. Only problem, like most American fans, it's very hard to see this film mostly because it never got a US DVD release, it was released theatrically in the US and was released on VHS in the US, but never got a DVD release. Thankfully I own a bootleg of the movie which also comes with the US release, Godzilla 1985.Now my quick thoughts on the US release, it's the same as the original release in Japan, but with a lot of differences. One major difference is the inclusion of Raymond Burr, returning as Steve Martin from the US release of Gojira (Known as Godzilla King of the Monsters). There were also minor scenes cut from the film I.E. Goro calling his editor from an island, and Hayashada and Naoko making a wave generator. The most controversial change was the scene where the Russian submarine officer Colonel Kashirin valiantly attempts to stop the launch of a nuclear weapon. New World edited the scene (and added a brief shot of Kashirin pressing the launch button) so that Kashirin actually launches the nuclear weapon.It's an OK release, but the Japanese version is much better.My Rating - The Return of Godzilla (Japanese Release) - 10/10. Godzilla 1985 (US Release) - 6/10

This started it all for me when I was a child. My family and I were on our way home, but then we decided to stop at a gas station where you could also rent movies. Sure enough, my mom handed me a movie she thought I would enjoy titled Godzilla 1985 due to my love of dinosaurs. I was hooked from beginning to its tragic end, and the moment I saw King of the Monsters on screen, I was a fan, and to this day I proudly still am! Though this not the best Godzilla movie ever made, it is still a decent return for the king! From villain to superhero, then back to villain in his 80s return and showing off what he does best: destruction! Keep in mind that after decades of fighting other monsters after his first appearance in Godzilla: King of the Monsters (Gojira in Japan), Godzilla is solo this time, but all the while what still makes a descent (if not great) return.A giant monster movie definitely worth checking out rather you are a fan or not!