Godzilla (1998)

A enormous, radioactively mutated lizard runs rampant on the island of Manhattan.

Director:

Roland Emmerich

Writers:

Dean Devlin (screenplay), Roland Emmerich (screenplay),

Stars:

Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo

8 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Broderick	...	Dr. Niko Tatopoulos
Jean Reno	...	Philippe Roaché
Maria Pitillo	...	Audrey Timmonds
Hank Azaria	...	Victor 'Animal' Palotti
Kevin Dunn	...	Colonel Hicks
Michael Lerner	...	Mayor Ebert
Harry Shearer	...	Charles Caiman
Arabella Field	...	Lucy Palotti
Vicki Lewis	...	Dr. Elsie Chapman
Doug Savant	...	Sergeant O'Neal
Malcolm Danare	...	Dr. Mendel Craven
Lorry Goldman	...	Gene - Mayor's Aide
Christian Aubert	...	Jean-Luc
Philippe Bergeron	...	Jean-Claude
Frank Bruynbroek	...	Jean-Pierre

Storyline

Following the French atomic bomb tests in the South Pacific, an unknown creature is spotted passing eastward through the Panama Canal. Scientist Niko Tatopolous is called in to investigate the matter, and he quickly arrives at the conclusion that a giant, irradiated lizard has been created by the explosions. Godzilla then makes its way north, landing at Manhattan to begin wreaking havoc in the big city. Even with the combined forces of the U.S. military to fight the monster, will it be enough to save the people of New York?

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Plot Keywords:

godzilla | lizard | scientist | monster | military | 

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Taglines:

1998. The year of GODZILLA!

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi monster action/violence

Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English French Japanese Russian Spanish

Release Date:

20 May 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Godzila

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$130,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$120,700,000 (Non-US) (14 August 1998)

Gross:

£15,920,578 (UK) (2 October 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Centropolis Film Productions, Fried Films, Independent Pictures (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Tatopoulos, the only specific instructions Roland Emmerich gave him was that Godzilla should be able to run incredibly fast.

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Goofs

We see the top of the Chrysler building being knocked off early in the film. When there is a long shot of Madison Square Garden after the air strike the Chrysler is shown intact.

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Quotes

Victor 'Animal' Palotti: Where did you find this guy?
Dr. Niko Tatopoulus: He's from France.

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Crazy Credits

Various effects that appeared as green film scratches (but were not, in fact, scratches) showed up periodically over the credits.

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Connections

Featured in The Nostalgia Critic: Ponyo (2012)

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Soundtracks

"A320"
Written, Produced and Performed by Foo Fighters
Courtesy of Roswell Records/Capitol Records

User Reviews

Size DOES Matter

It's been almost five years since this film came out back in 1998. I can remember the very first TV Spot on television around New Years. As a HUGE Godzilla fan I was excited to say the least. And I must tell you, when I saw it when it finally came out I wasn't dissapointed, and to this day I still feel the same way.

It's a darn shame that this film gets blasted like it does. It shows me that the majority of the people (and Godzilla fans) that take the time to write reviews for films probably don't know what they are talking about when they talk of America's "Godzilla".

There are a couple of main issues critics and Godzilla fans have with the film. The story and the monster itself, 'Godzilla'.

If you look back at all of the original Japanese Godzilla flicks, you aren't going to find a great (not to mention BELIEVABLE) story or plot. I realize this, even being a fan of all things Godzilla. Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich's 'Godzilla' atleast, in my opinion, had the audience believing what was going on up on the screen. And if the story was slightly dull to some of you, you should let it pass. Remember what 'Godzilla' is about, afterall.

And what was wrong with the monster itself, Godzilla? Nothing. If you get two action figures, one being a model of the original Godzilla from the Japanese series and a model of the new American Godzilla you will find differences but both are remarkably alike in alot of ways. They both have the spikes, gigantic size, and famous roar. The major differences being the skin color, face, and longer legs. I loath it when people bring up how they shouldn't have changed Godzilla's looks. I mean, I love the old Godzilla look, it may be silly to some, but to me it's still cool. But it would NOT have worked for this film at ALL. If they had made the American version with a creature that had big 'googily' eyes and flying around on his tail kicking monsters, it would have ended up being a laugh-fest at the theaters.

What the American 'Godzilla' brings us is a believable monster that has the spirit and characteristics of the original, that satisfies the audience. It was just more realistic. Shouldn't we have expected that? Devlin and Emmerich came up with a monster that was realistic. Something the creators of the original attempted at doing but were limited to rubber suits. Something the Japanese audience accepts, but the American audience will not. It's sad that most Godzilla fans and critics do not understand this.

I personally believe that the majority of the general audience ENJOYED this film. It's just the critical blasting from G Fans and Critics that got alot of attention, unfortunately, and therefore this gets labeled as a 'bad' film. It's sad really that people can't enjoy this film.

This is one of my favorite DVD's to plug in. It's Big, Loud, and Fun. And although we've had lots of great films with tons of Special Effects, there's nothing quite like it.

So take a look at it, be open and I'm sure you will enjoy the fantastic pop-corn entertainment known as "GODZILLA".