8.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.4 |
A fire-breathing behemoth terrorizes Japan after an atomic bomb awakens it from its centuries-old sleep.
Starring: Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, Fuyuki Murakami, Akira Takarada, Momoko KôchiForeign | 100% |
Horror | 35% |
Sci-Fi | 21% |
Drama | 6% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Japanese: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Ishiro Honda's "Godzilla" (1954) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include Terry O. Morse's reworking of the original film, "Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" (1956); theatrical trailers; brand new video interviews with cast and crew members; video interview with Japanese cinema expert and film critic Tadao Sato; audio essay by historian Gregory M. Pflugfelder; featurettes; two audio commentaries by critic David Kalat; and more. The disc also arrives with an illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles. Region-A "locked".
Unstoppable
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Ishiro Honda's Godzilla arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
Criterion's presentation of this classic Japanese film is leaps and bounds ahead of Classic Media's presentation (see review here). Not only are detail and clarity dramatically improved, but there are entire sequences where it literally feels as if a filter of some sort has been removed - the effect is most obvious during the nighttime sequences, even though Criterion's high-definition transfer is notably darker than the one used by Screen Media (compare screenshots #5 and 7 with screenshots #1 and 3 from our review of Classic Media's Blu-ray release). Furthermore, contrast levels have been carefully elevated and colors rebalanced, while brightness levels have been toned down. Some careful noise corrections have been performed, but the fine grain has been retained (the Classic Media transfer has been severely degrained and as a result an enormous amount of detail has been lost). Various stabilizations have been performed as well, and when Godzilla enters Tokyo it is very easy to appreciate them. This being said, small scratches and damage marks still remain, but these are inherited source limitations that obviously could not be addressed without affecting the integrity of the image. All in all, Criterion's presentation of Godzilla is enormously satisfying, and I feel comfortable speculating that it will be considered the definitive presentation of the film for years to come.
Also included on this Blu-ray disc is Terry O. Morse's Godzilla, King of the Monsters!. I don't currently have a copy of this film in my library to do some direct comparisons, but I highly doubt that there is a DVD release which comes close to matching the quality of Criterion's Blu-ray release. Detail, clarity and especially color reproduction are quite impressive. When projected, the film also conveys very pleasing depth. Additionally, when compared to Godzilla there appear to be far less damage marks and scratches.
Screenshots #1-19 are from Godzilla. Screenshots #20-29 are from Godzilla, King of the Monsters!.
(Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Japanese LPCM 1.0, for Godzilla, and English LPCM 1.0, for Godzilla, King of the Monsters!. For the record, Criterion have provided optional English subtitles for both films.
I have a feeling that a lot of people, and especially those who know Godzilla well and have owned it on DVD, will be genuinely surprised with the quality of the Japanese LPCM 1.0 track. The opening credits with that heavy thumping followed by Godzilla's roar have certainly never sounded this lush and well rounded before; on DVD, the audio has always been a mixed bag, compromised by various stability issues, distortions, and weak dynamics. In the beginning of chapter 3, for instance, the clarinet and the violins are extremely easy to identify, while the dialog is completely free of background hiss. It is clear that additional stabilizations have also been performed to ensure that the dynamic progressions in Akira Ifukube's legendary music score are as effective as possible. The English LPCM 1.0 track from Godzilla, King of the Monsters! is equally pleasing. The dialog is clean, stable, and very easy to follow.
Fans of Japanese director Ishiro Honda's hugely influential Godzilla will be enormously pleased with Criterion's upcoming Blu-ray release. In terms of quality, it is leaps and bounds ahead of all previous commercial releases of the film, including Classic Media's recent Blu-ray release. In addition to a wealth of brand new supplemental features, Criterion have included Terry O. Morse's Godzilla, King of the Monsters!. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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1954
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1954
Godzilla
1954
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ゴジラの逆襲 / Gojira no gyakushû
1955
キングコング対ゴジラ / Kingu Kongu tai Gojira
1962
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ゴジラ対ヘドラ / Gojira tai Hedora / Godzilla vs. Hedorah
1971
1956
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1958
怪獣大戦争 / Kaijû daisensô / Godzilla vs. Monster Zero
1965
ゴジラ対メガロ / Gojira tai Megaro
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メカゴジラの逆襲 / Mekagojira no gyakushu
1975
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1968
地球攻撃命令 ゴジラ対ガイガン / Chikyû kogeki meirei: Gojira tai Gaigan / Godzilla vs. Gigan
1972
1999
1996
ゴジラ対メカゴジラ / Gojira tai Mekagojira
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1967
1955