Godzilla 2000

Big giant green monster named Godzilla comes out of the Tokyo waters at sundown to pummel down all that is in his path. Scientists and government officials attempt to stop it. But what’s this? An alien flying saucer is discovered underwater and it seems to want Godzilla for something too. Slap them all together, and get ready for a big showdown featuring bumbling scientists, Godzilla and nasty aliens.

Can a movie packed with cheesy acting, cheesy dialogue, cheesy effects and a cheesy plot actually = a good movie? Yup! In this case, this is just that kind of movie! Cheese with plenty of mustard, relish and a deep appreciation for films that are really bad. But don’t get me wrong, the film isn’t all that horrible. In fact, many of the special effects in this film are actually quite good, especially during the film’s first 10 minutes. The plot is also goofy but definitely more original than the lame “let’s lay some eggs” plot from Emmerich’s GODZILLA, and the action scenes deliver plenty of cool sequences. So will you enjoy this movie if you go in thinking that it will be good? I doubt it. The whole point of a film like this is that you know that it is “bad”, but you end up laughing and enjoying it anyway. Well, at least I did.

The only reason that I didn’t score it higher is because even as a good “bad” movie, it lacked somewhat. There were way too many scenes of Godzilla slowly making his way through the city…and I mean reaaaaal slow! Step it up, slowpoke, you’re a fiery beast!! The film also lost me about halfway through when they decided to leave Godzilla in the background for a while and concentrate more on this whole side-plot involving a dude getting trapped in a building which is just about to blow up. You don’t really need that kind of thing here. Slowed the film down somewhat. But it was all good when the big green rubber-looking monster came growling out of the water and kickin’ that major Tokyo ass. Who wouldn’t enjoy two giant rubber dolls trading swings and fire rays?! I know I did. Overall, this is NOT the kind of film that “regular” movie-goers will likely enjoy. It’s a film for people who like making fun of the bad dubbing, watching over-the-top actors deliver bad lines and obvious sets. Overall, I would say that it’s a fun ride…but only if you’ve chosen to be on that ride. Know what I mean?

PS: The best/worst, and I mean BEST line in this whole movie comes from a scientist near the end of the film, who gives us his reasoning behind Godzilla’s humanistic qualities. You will ROLL in the aisles!! “it’s because there’s a little Godzilla in…”

(c) 2021 Berge Garabedian