The Evolution of Godzilla in Western Cinema

 

It all started in 1956 when “Godzilla, King of the Monsters!” was released, Directed by Terry O. Morse, which was adapted from Ishiro Honda’s “Godzilla” released by the Japanese company Toho in 1954. Despite receiving a negative review from the New York Times, it was a success at the box office grossing $2 million in the US alone.

Seven years later, the second installment was released in North America, “King Kong vs. Godzilla”, also directed by Honda and was slightly less successful in the box office, grossing $1.25 million. This made the production company suspect that Godzilla wasn’t necessarily meant for western audiences.

 

22 years go by and finally “Godzilla 1985” was released. Although not being a box office success, getting several horrible reviews and getting nominated for the “Stinkers Bad Movie Award for Worst Picture”, it was held in high regard by the many loyal fans.

 

In 1998, “Godzilla” was released. Earning over $136 million in the first eight weeks and several special effects award nominations, it was a resounding success. This was the first time in the monsters history that it was portrayed as female to date, which some fans did disagreed with. Later, this monster became fully recognised as a separate character from the original Godzilla and officially renamed “Zilla”.

 

The monster’s success in western cinema has risen and fallen since 1956 
but the most successful by a long shot is also the most recent.

 

“Godzilla” was released in May 2014 by Warner Brothers Pictures. With a
makeover from director Gareth Edwards, Godzilla was larger than ever,
in fact many fans complained that the monster looked as though he was
overweight.

 

With outstanding performances from both Bryan Cranston and
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, this must-see epic earned over $200 million
domestically, over $500 million world wide, largelypositive reviews and
awards for its trailer and poster. A sequel is already in development and
planned for release in 2018, It looks like Godzilla was in fact meant for
western cinema, we just had to wait for it to be done right.