Godzilla Returns In Kitsch Classic

Godzilla returns to US cinemas this Friday, but if it’s a sequel to Roland Emmerich’s effects-laden extravaganza you’re expecting then you may be in for a surprise. That’s right, the original Godzilla is back and he’s cheesier than ever. Godzilla 2000 (or Gojira ni-sen mireniamu if you prefer) sees a return to form for the reptilian hero as, taking a more humble approach than Emmerich’s digital behemoth, Godzilla will once again be played as he should be. By a Japanese bloke in a lizard suit. This will come as good news to all of you who stayed up on Friday nights in years gone by to watch the camp glory of Creature Feature classics like Destroy All Monsters and Son of Godzilla, where the latex lizard stomped around model cities, brawling comically with the likes of Mothra, Rodan and MechaGodzilla. According to Yahoo, Godzilla 2000, which is the first of the Japanese reptile features to hit American theatres for 15 years, will capitalise on the nostalgic appeal of the series and the current interest in Japanese products such as Pokemon. For anyone worried that a new outing for Japan’s favourite ‘gorilla-whale’ won’t be true to the kitsch classics need not be concerned. Godzilla 2000 retains the clumsy dubbing and dubious translation of the hammy Japanese dialogue: “I can’t imagine a life form that could survive 60 million years,” remarks one observer of the carnage, “Good Lord, let’s just hope it’s friendly”.