Japanese fans speak on Godzilla's evolution
TOKYO - Japanese fans want it known: The radiation-breathing, skyscraper-stomping monster they call "Gojira" was born right here in Japan, 60 years ago.
No matter its evolution in Hollywood over the decades, the Godzilla creature began as an icon for the suffering brought by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.
The new remake, directed by hard-core Godzilla aficionado Gareth Edwards, has become one of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters this year and finally opens in Japan on Friday.
The Associated Press spoke with some Japanese about their views on how their favorite mutated reptile has changed, including whether they welcome the latest rendition in full computer-graphic glory - so different from their Godzilla, that actor in a rubber suit, who waded into pools and smashed miniature models.
The original, 1954
Godzilla was Haruo Nakajima, a stunt actor for samurai films, who was not even credited in the original, so determined was Toho Co. studios to keep the monster shrouded in mystery.
The horrifying mutation arises after nuclear testing in the Pacific. It marches out of Tokyo Bay into the capital, destroying everything in its path, such as the Wako clock-tower building in downtown Ginza and the somber-looking Parliament building, both of which still stand today.
A scientist reluctantly uses a weapon of mass destruction against Godzilla, knowing it's a last resort. A tragic victim of its own creation, possessing no apparent conscience throughout the black-and-white masterpiece, Godzilla sinks quietly back into the ocean, allowing Mankind to triumph, but not until the monster has smashed half of Tokyo and set off a legacy that continued into 27 Toho sequels.
Classical musician Akira Ifukube did the unforgettable score, and helped create the altered contrabass roar of Godzilla. The first series of Godzilla movies is considered to have continued through 1975.
"Godzilla is neither friend nor foe, but something beyond our control," says Shizue Horie, 54, whose love affair with Godzilla started when her father took her to see one of the early movies.
The VS series, 1989-1995
Godzilla was played by Kenpachiro Satsuma, a new actor in a rubber suit, who is credited with adding a combative flair to the depiction, taking advantage of his martial art skills.
"VS" stands for "versus," as the films featured Godzilla fighting another creature, such as King Ghidora with the multiple dragon heads, and Mothra, a giant moth. The almost comical battle scenes, which take place underwater and in the sky as well as in urban landscapes, are the highlights.
The series that followed, called the Millenium, saw Godzilla's following gradually dwindle. Toho discontinued Godzilla films after "Final Wars" released in 2004. Some Godzilla fans include the 1984 film in the VS series. Others say technically it falls outside the category.
"Godzilla appeals to that destructive instinct that's in all kids," says Takeshi Maruyama, a 28-year-old "salaryman," who grew up on the VS series and has an extensive Godzilla figure collection.
Going Hollywood, 1998
Hollywood-style models, robots, including a moving mechanical lizard head and torso, plus computer imagery for the adult Godzilla, and stunt men in latex suits as Godzilla babies.
If anything clinched Japanese fans' distrust for Hollywood, this reboot was it.
The film, whose tagline was "Size does matter," portrayed Godzilla as an enlarged tyrannosaurus rex running amok in New York, stomping on yellow cabs and chewing up delivery trucks.
The story starts with a Japanese fishing boat getting attacked, and a lone survivor gasping, "Gojira."
Thrown in the plot are ambitious American news reporters, a French spy, a scientist studying Chernobyl and a bunch of Godzilla eggs in Madison Square Garden.
A big no-no to Godzilla fans was the monster's fate at the end of the movie.
Yoshihiko Horie, 54, hated the 1998 film so much he started a website, cheering on the Japanese Godzilla.