My Top 10 Godzilla films

With the release of Shin Gojira just a few weeks away from an American release, and since this is my first time ever attempting this, I figured I would join in on making a top 10 favorite Godzilla films list.  Now keep in mind that this was really REALLY hard, not to mention a pain in the neck making this but thanks to some advice from some fellow deviants, this was possible.  As for my favorite Godzilla films, let me give my reasons.

10.  Mothra vs Godzilla (1964).  This was one of the first Godzilla films I ever saw and I was actually pretty angry that Godzilla lost in the end but thanks to Zazubaar, GORIZARD and Adam Noyes, I could understand the message of the film a lot better.  The message as in Mothra representing hope and Godzilla representing hopelessness.  When Mothra dies, it seems that hope dies with her but when the larvae hatch, that hope is stronger than ever.  Definitely one of the best in the series.

9.  Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster (1964).  This is where the monster rumble was born according to James Rolfe.  It has the four biggest money making monsters and has a really good story not to mention that is has some amazing action.  It's kind of like Destroy All Monsters in that the final act is well worth the wait. 

8.   Godzilla 2000 (1999).  Who remembers seeing the trailers to this movie back in 2000?  I was in the first grade when it came to theaters and I never saw it until I found a copy at my Grandparents.  From the second that VHS began playing, I was glued to the TV.  Godzilla's design is amazing; one of my all time favorites, Orga was a nice addition as I'm sure it caught a lot of people off guard since they probably thought that Goji would be alone and it has one of the best endings in the entire series.  And I love the dialogue at the end:
"We scientists produced this monster, Godzilla.  And ever since, we've tried to destroy him." 
"But then why?  Why does he keep protecting us?
"Maybe because, Godzilla is inside each one of us."
Enter the epic Akira Ifukube score

7.  Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (1974).  How do you celebrate Godzilla's 20th anniversary?  You throw in a doppelganger Godzilla, a new ally for Godzilla and have plenty of explosions.  Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla was a much needed film after the "Godzilla Dark Age" and it actually seems to get better as it ages.  I personally cannot stop watching this film as it has an amazing score, a phenomenal design in Mechagodzilla and King Caesar was a nice touch.  Plus I also liked that little fight between "Godzilla" and Anguirus but the poor guy did not need to have his jaw broken.  It's fun, it's action packed, it's a cheesy monster movie but in the best way possible.

6.  Godzilla Final Wars (2004).  This may be one of the more divisive entries in the series but hey I find it one of the best.  Plus that 12 second fight between Godzilla and Zilla was just oh so satisfying.  Hopefully Toho has forgiven us.  Plus Godzilla was just a freaking BEAST in this film.  I think besides Shin Goji, this one may be the second strongest.  I even liked the designs of the monsters and that music was just so good.  Definitely a good way to end the series with a bang.

5.  Godzilla vs King Ghidorah (1991).  Giant monsters and time travel.  Do I even need to say anymore?  Okay I will.  Best Japanese Godzilla design bar none!  Best looking King Ghidorah, the plot is intriguing, the effects are spectacular and it's all around really good.  Plus do I even need to mention Mecha-King Ghidorah and how amazing of an entrance that was.  And it even has one of my favorite moments from the entire series in that Mr. Shindo and Godzilla remember one another and when Godzilla does kill Shindo, it seems like Godzilla was not wanting to but it was a way of honoring the man he once saved since Shindo wanted to die having condemned Godzilla twice.

4.  Godzilla vs Destoroyah (1995).  Japan did it.  They legit did it.  They made me cry over a monster, not to mention show that Godzilla is more than just a monster.  I love the story, I love how old characters are brought back like Momoko Kochi (Emiko Yamane), Akira Ifukube's score like the Super X III and the final scene of the film, and Destoroyah's design.  The feels are still strong in this one.  If the series was to end and no more were to be made, this would be the film to end all Godzilla films.

3.  GMK (2001).  God bless Shusuke Kaneko.  First he Makes Gamera a monster not to be trifled with, now he makes a phenomenal Godzilla film.  I love the new direction they took with Godzilla in making the manifestation of the angry souls who died in WWII coming back to punish Japan for forgetting their sacrifice.  I love how this is the only truly evil Godzilla out there, Baragon gets some much deserved respect, Mothra gets a good update and I'm surprised that Ghidorah played the role of the good guy.  That was a risky move, plus Varan's head ornaments were a nice touch as he was to show up in the film along with Anguirus.  The damage the monsters caused looked so real and the leading lady, Yuri Tachibana is still one of my favorite human characters in any Godzilla film.  I highly recommend seeing this one.

2.  Godzilla (2014).  From the moment I heard that a new Godzilla film was rumored to be made, I jumped on the bandwagon and followed this film for 5 straight years.  I saw the leaked teaser trailer and footage and I was sold.  On May 16th, I saw the film in 3D and IMAX and it blew past ALL of my expectations.  Gareth Edwards stayed true and honored Godzilla's legacy.  The MUTO's were simply amazing and Godzilla was truly Godzilla.  Many people complain about Aaron Taylor Johnson and Brian Cranston in that one was dull and the other was killed off way too early despite being one of the best parts of the film.  I say this:  What more could Cranston had done since his part of the story was already done?  Also, Ford is a soldier so they have to keep a level head in dangerous situations.  I know people have different opinions but let's be civil about it.  I'm so glad the film was a success to the point that we're getting not just Shin Godzilla but Kong Skull Island, the rights to Mothra, Rodan and King Ghidorah for the epicness of March 22nd, 2019 and the rematch of the century of Godzilla vs Kong.  This is a time of monsters and we're cheering them on.

1.  Gojira (1954).  Was there ever any doubt?  This film not only started the Tokusatsu genre of film-making but it also has one of the best stories I've ever seen, it has some of the most three dimensional characters like Dr. Yamane and Dr. Serizawa, the film has that foreboding atmosphere to it and Godzilla himself is a living, breathing nuclear weapon.  This is not a film for kids and I'm grateful for that.  There is a level of depth to the film that keeps me coming back and proved to the entire world that monsters can be tragic creatures and not just plot devices.  Ishiro Honda once said, "The tragedy of monsters is that they're born too tall, too strong and too heavy."  This saying is perfect for describing Godzilla himself.  If Jurassic Park had never been made, this would be my all time favorite film.