Godzilla '14 vs Godzilla '16

Well, as we had a trailer to go off of and multiple pieces of concpet art for about 4 years, I would have to say I was more hyped for Godzilla 2014 than I am currently for 2016. I was/am excited for both films (Godzilla's Godzilla in my book), but as we had more info on Godzilla 2014 (basic outline of the look, the fact of additional monsters, the basic tone due to the teaser trailer, etc.), it was easier to get excited for it.

So far, all we know about Godzilla 2016 are the directors that signed up for it, Godzilla's going to be a bit bigger again, and that Godzilla will have 5 toes instead of 4 this time around. Not much there to get wrapped up in, you know?

I would have to wait until a trailer or something comes out for the new movie to give an honest opinion of which I was/am most excited for.

Ditto pretty much to what NateZilla said. There was much more in the way of info and when I saw the leaked 2012 ComicCon teaser I was beyond ecstatic. The tone of that piece was perfect and captured the essence of what Godzilla was. I thought to myself, "these people get it." The movie ended up being very different from that teaser, but leading up to the release anticipation was high.

The co-directors for the '16 version are saying the right thing and the tone looks to be serious, and dark. One of them mentioned this being our "worst nightmare", which makes me very happy. At the very least, Godzilla is an anti-hero. He shouldn't be cute, funny, or heroic. He's the ruination of man. Can't wait to see more as info and pictures hopefully trickle in. At that point I'll get just as, if not moreso excited for this one, because Godzilla is back home.

About on par. Although we had more to go off of visually with Godzilla '14, the people behind Godzilla '16 are more exciting filmmakers. It balances out.

Because the timetable of Japanese productions are different from Hollywood, the timetable doesn't exactly match up, nor does the hype. (There are no franchise conventions in Japan. Less editorials about movies, etc.) It's a cultural divide. But ultimately I'm equally excited about the prospects like I was when Godzilla 2000 had been announced.

And Koldwar, I don't think it accurate for any fan to say what Godzilla should or should not be. Godzilla is many things at this point and it has worked. I understand your preference is for "grimdarkserious" but Godzilla's character has not shown more versatility than that to proudly take up varied titles. I'm excited about Anno and Hideaki's direction as well. But I wouldn't call it the defining trait of the character.

im pretty hyped for the new movie especialy since godzillas gonna be the big nasty monster that i originally wanted for 14 but like others have said we dont have enough footage or info to really get the hype train going

Hmm I'm not sure when I saw the comic con leak from 2012 I was so excited for G2014, but most of the things I've seen about the upcoming 2016 movie seem promising. Since I'm not sure how I feel about Hideaki Anno being the director and writer for the upcoming movie I'll say G2014 just barely

Hmm I'm not sure when I saw the comic con leak from 2012 I was so excited for G2014, but most of the things I've seen about the upcoming 2016 movie seem promising. Since I'm not sure how I feel about Hideaki Anno being the director and writer for the upcoming movie I'll say G2014 just barely

@GMan - It's absolutely my/or any fan's right to say what Godzilla is/should be to them. We own it to/for ourselves. For some, he's scary, for others, he's a defender of earth. What it ultimately ends up being is the indiv. filmmakers vision. I've enjoyed several versions of the character, but for me Godzilla is a harbinger; he punishes man for his hubris. But that's just my vision. It's not up to you or anyone else to tell me what I should want him to be. You're right in that it has not been the defining trait of the character. Through almost 30 films he hasn't been, but it's the version I identify with and would love to see. That's Godzilla for me. I'm not trying to say everyone else should like the same version; we don't. We've established that, and I respect that. Again, just my preference for the character, not what all of you should like.

@Durp - The ComicCon footage set the tone for me. It was 1954 updated. It was ominous, dark, scary, and when the big guy appeared through the debris and roared, I was sold. That didn't end up being the film we got.

As a kid, I loved the character any way I could get him. As I got older I just started preferring a scarier Godzilla. If a giant monster is tearing ass through your city, it should be scary. People are going to die. I love the movie Cloverfield, because it brings home the s@#$storm that a giant monster in a crowded city would be.

I'm looking forward to this film as much as I did the Legendary Godzilla, but in a diffrent way.

With Gareth Edwards' film I was anticipating, to some degree, an 'Americanization' of the character so that he could have the broad appeal necessary to be financially successful. The result was a film that was not quite what we were led to expect from the Comi-Con footage,the trailers, etc. To me, Godzilla 2014 was a success,and it was entertaining. It is Godzilla. But it was not as dark as I thought it would be. It's an action movie that had to have a happy ending and charcters that could be sutiable as action figures. And, it did. while I believe that Gareth Edwards, Thomas Tull, et. al., 'get it,' some homogenization was inevitable to compete in the summer blockbuster movie market.

With Toho Godzilla 2016, I anticipate a very dark, Japanese, tokusatsu-rooted film that is distinct in its look, feel and manner of storytelling. At least I hope so. I had concerns inthe wake of the initial announcement, that Toho might attempt to 'ape' the American made film. Others here, as well as myself felt that this would be a mistake. With the choice of directors, I feel assured that we will get a dark, serious and distinctly Japanese film, combining traditional, practical effects with digital enhancement. With Anno and Higuchi helming this, and in light of their love for, and devotion to, the tokusatsu tradition, I feel confidant that we will see a visually spectacular and narratively compelling Godzilla film. I want it to distinguish itself from the Legendary film, whose sequel, by the way, I am looking forward to. But, with Godzilla being so identified with Japan, and because of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I have an anticipation for a Japanese-made Godzilla that is different from that involving an American made film. 

I understand what each of you has said! Indeed, the general consensus is that we do not yet have enough information to get really excited; however, there is just enough material to provide a great deal of curiosity! Personally, I am fairly ecstatic over the concept of a new Godzilla from Toho - especially now that we have been assured that this iteration is going to be terrifying! I very much enjoy Godzilla as a force of nightmarish destruction we created! :)

@Something Real - Great topic, btw. As always, you are calming voice in the storm!

KOLDWARKID62 -Thank you ever so much for your kind words! They mean a great deal! :)

Like many stated here, there is a diferent story. For Godzilla 2014, we had many promotional stuff, but for Godzilla 2016, there is comparatively nothing.

But I think that it is too "early" now, let's wait a little more.

Finally, I liked the "hero" Godzilla 2014 (indirecty, at the end), but I would also like a "anti-hero" in Godzilla 2016. Let's see what happen, the only thing that I would not like is the use of "suits" again. It is just my particular opinion, but I think that Godzilla has evolved very well to the CGI and they should continue like that.

Greetings to all.

GUATEGOJIRA - I completely understand and respect your outlook! :)

"the only thing that I would not like is the use of "suits" again."

With Higuchi at the helm I think suits is a foregone conclusion. I think there's still more to do with the traditional Japanese effects and would hate it to go away forever-- especially in the franchise that birthed it for Japan.

CG is good if you like the same ole techniques over and over and over, but I'm far more excited at the prospect of a new look. I must say, as interested as I am in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Jurassic World, the visual effects aspect of those movies is the last reason I'm going to see them. It's just more CG thrown against the screen.

Visual feasts like the Attack on Titan movies interest me far, far more from an effects standpoint.

GMAN2887 - I could not agree more with that sentiment! CGI, in my opinion, lacks a certain visual "weight" that is evidenced by suits, animatronics and practical special effects. I absolutely love the Jurassic Park movies; however, the CGI does not provide the same art and visual appeal for me as that held by Tokusatsu and other similar forms of movie magic! :)

Agreed. It's not that I don't see the value in CGI, but it's made movies visually boring. No one wants to take risks with it in Hollywood, they just want it to look as "real" as possible. People seem to forget that film is an art form and different style effects need to be welcomed outside of splashing CG all over the canvas. It's become mundane.

Now I understand realism is needed in some cases, but not all. And in other cases a little stlye over realism would be welcomed. But the last time I was really visually wowed by CG was in 1993, seeing Jurassic Park in theaters. After that... it became a fad. A go-to option for everything.

I can't wait to see the unique look and effects Higuchi brings to Godzilla. Finally.

GMAN2887 - You are definately speaking my language! Higuchi will (from what I have seen) bring a certain amount of visual drama from which a Godzilla film will benefit immensely! After seeing the teaser images for the live action Attack on Titan, I am convinced Toho have the right individuals for the monumental job of bringing us fans a new vision of Godzilla! I do not need Godzilla to look ultra real; I just need him to look like Godzilla and evoke the same sense of majesty and dread he typically commands! :)

I want a Japanese Godzilla film that looks Japanese, and distinctly so. That means production arising out of the tokusatsu tradition. There is no better person for this film, effects-wise, than Shinji Higuchi. He has demonstrated that he can combine practical and digital effects with beautiful results. Plus, like Hideaki Anno, he's a student and fan of this visually amazing art form. "Paying respect to the master," is what he said. It's this sentiment, spirit and frame of mind that will, God willing, be as instrumental to the realization of the visual effects, as his talent and gifts as a filmmaker.

JAMAAL - I definately understand your standpoint and agree with it whole-heartedly! :)

Ok, I also respect your opinions. :o)

However, we most be a little more real here. Most people, that are not fans (like us) of the old Godzilla movies, will not take "too seriously" a movie with suitmation than one with CGI and personaly, the new Godzilla 2014 was perfect for me and I would like to conserve it like that (I am talking about Godzilla itself, not the movie itself ;o) ).

I don't think that the CGI is "empty" or "boring", for the contrary, is far more realistic that a suit and forced perspective. The monsters in Pacific Rim were incredible and King Kong of 2005 was so good that even provoqued emotions, like a real actor! Suitmation was excelent in the past, but with new technology, I think that CGI "PLUS" a good story, is the key for a good Kaiju movie. But again, it is just my opinion for a little more modern Godzilla fan. If you don't like it, I will respect it. :o)

But, let see what happen, as long as the story would be good, I think that the "animation" of the kaijus, independently of the method, will be just an "add".

By the way, no one have asked IF there is going to be other monsters in the movie. That will be an interesting point to discuss or to hypotesize.