Godzilla Then and Now - Essay Example

The original Godzilla has several signature characteristics that made it patently Godzilla.  The most obvious is its patented roar. The original roar was more mechanical, rather, not resembling any known animal sound, which could perhaps be a result of its atomic background.  Its signature weapon is its atomic breath that spews a stream of radioactive fire from his jaws whose color resembles the color of his dorsal fins.  Godzilla can also emit short-range pulse atomic energy from his body called the pulse.  The original Godzilla also has the magnetic capability, which it uses against its metallic enemies. 

In addition to atomic-based powers, the original Godzilla is immune to injury and can heal itself fast.  Its skin is impervious to any military arsenal weaponry making the monster virtually indestructible or invincible.  It is also amphibious which can go to the deep of the oceans as well as roam the lands to wreak havoc. 

Of course, part of the story of the film is how to destroy Godzilla.  Godzilla’s vulnerability, however, is hard to confirm and the origin of its alleged weaknesses is not thoroughly explained in its earlier films.  There were instances where Godzilla manifested weakness against high voltage of electricity but in the same vein, it is also quite ironic that the monster is strengthened when struck by a lightning.  Inversely, Godzilla showed that it freezes in chilling conditions but it can only suspend the movement of the monster.  In one early film The Return of Godzilla, the monster showed vulnerability to cadmium but still not enough to kill the monster.   In some earlier versions of Godzilla, such as “Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla, the directors hint that Godzilla does have a vulnerable spot under his armpit, that makes him susceptible to attack.  The metaphor is that it is similar to an “Achilles Heel.  This, however, did not progress beyond this hint because it was not validated in the film that Godzilla died by a strike under its armpit.

The new movie has not indicated if Godzilla has a new weakness or vulnerability.  Instead, news had it that there will be three monsters in the film and one of them is Godzilla.  The new movie of Godzilla will have three times the level of difficulty to kill because there are now three monsters.  As usual, the monsters will be wreaking havoc in cities and attacking the government with all its armaments.

The original movie also used live models that measured 50 to 100 meters. 

Recently, there is confirmed the news of a new installment of Godzilla.  The first production shot will be in March of 2013 and the film will be shown on May 16, 2014. The film is not yet shown but there are already records of what the new Godzilla will be.  According to the producers and creators of the new Godzilla, a fan will create the image of Godzilla. Its original producer Toho Co., Ltd. will not also produce it, rather by Legendary Pictures (Picard a).  The new version will be in 3D compared to the two-dimensional rendition of the original film.  The original Godzilla used live models and the new Godzilla will instead use CGI (Computer Generated Image) to render the physical presence of the monster and its effects.  The setting will be in Vancouver, Canada, and not in Tokyo like the original Godzilla version (Picard b).

In addition, the new writer of the film is Frank Darabont who can clean up the original script written by Max Borenstein.  With regard to casting, there is word that Godzilla 2014 will cast Bryan Cranston (Argo, Total Recall, Get a Job) and Elizabeth Olsen (Kill Your Darlings, Liberal Arts, Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding). In an interview with Olsen recently, she revealed and reassured Godzilla fans that the new Godzilla film “would not be cheesy, or lighthearted at all, but a dark film, going back to Godzilla's roots” (Picard a).

Indeed the new installment of Godzilla will be faithful to the original characteristic of Godzilla.  Inferring from Olsen’s interview, the new Godzilla will have its atomic breath, short-range pulse, and other capabilities, which its producers would not disclose.

In the teaser trailer of the new installment, the screenshot will be an image of a city destroyed by a nuclear explosion with a voice-over of Oppenheimer, the inventor of a nuclear bomb, citing how a destructive nuclear weapon is and this breathes a shade of science into the film which was totally absent in its Toho Inc., produced precursor.  The 2014 version of the film will also explain the origin and powers of Godzilla. 

The new version of Godzilla is anticipated to have a new storyline since the film has been around since the 1950s.  The havoc which its signature will be very difficult to top since it had been destroying cities since its inception.  The producers however will not elaborate further until the film’s showing on May 16, 2014 (Picard).