GFW from Monster Zero

Early Godzilla Final Wars comments, new Godzilla DVDs release date, and
Godzilla in Metal Gear Solid 3.

Toho has been screening Godzilla Final Wars privately for some fans and VIPs
and comments are making their way on to Japanese forums. Below is a sampling of
some of these comments. Some are roughly translated:

COMMENT 1

The article below is entirely composed of personal thoughts and things I
recall, if the mood of it offends anyone, I beg apologies.

Yesterday I was able to preview Godzilla Final Wars. For me this was the last
expected work of the year. I was expectant have been acquainted with the 7
minute promo…well I may have gone with high expectations…but as I watched
this was a foolish feeling. Devilman…Strong Man #28, and Godzilla!...it is
regrettable. As I was watching the anger rose up in me. As I returned home you
don't understand how I wanted to vent that anger out on someone. When I got
home I immediately called monster illustrator Keiden-san. As I talked on the
phone I felt my anger rising, I desperately tried to control myself and talk as
I trembled. It was a miserable week for me…

Anyways, I'll write it out. Kitamura's predisposition is not for honesty or
drama: he had said it would be a grand monster war ballet—where was it? In
order to get the human bullet time for monsters they have become slim
lightweights. Monstrous battles of no degree happen over and over. A waste of
one monster after another follow along without charm or fascination. Gigan
comes across truly as a monster and to some degree Monster X in the conclusion.
This Godzilla series, by the way, had a greater budget than the previous, to
pour into an all-star "Destroy all Monsters" cast, and that's what it
should have been I feel.

The story is awful, isn't it? Developments are abrupt and then abandoned.
Set-ups happen for a gag, and you get bored. Kitamura's pride it doing
action, so he things, but about 10% works, the rest meanders in rhythm and I
got tired of it. From the beginning the fighting and hand to hand combat is
exciting, but after so much repetition you shrink back…It tries to appeal to
the international audience…but I can not feel the appeal of Kyle Cooper's
main title design. Keith Emerson's music occasionally has leaves an
impression but has a thin echo…maybe because there is no power in the movie
itself. (Thanks to Matolen)

COMMENT 2

I saw the official approval print preview today. This is completely different
from "Old Godzilla". Most of the highlights of the movie have not been shown in
prelimnary announcements. 60% was touched by monster special effects, 30% was
human-oriented action, and 10% was the drama connecting it all. Godzilla
doesn\'t show up until about an hour into the movie, and once he does it is
completely non-stop, all about special effects and action. Godzilla smashed his
way through 10 or more kaiju continuously. I was overwhlemed by the force which
has not been seen until now. Also, Kazuki Kitamura as the alien of X is
spectacular. (Thanks to Robert Saint John)

DVD News

MZ member Gigan13 posted links to Moviesunlimited.com that shows Godzilla vs.
the Sea Monster and suprisingly Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II (1993) going on
sale February 8th. The listings show them as being dubbed but until more
official information comes out assume that is wrong and they will be like the
recent releases with original Japanese tracks.