Supplementary - Top 10

IT'S FINALLY HEAR! THE LONG WAIT IS OVER! GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS IS OFFICIALLY IN THEATERS TODAY, AND I AM SO EXCITED! This is the movie I have been waiting for my whole life, and I can't wait to see it. I have my tickets purchased and a gang is assembled. It's going to be a great time. BUT, we're not done quite yet. I have been building up today for the list of all lists; my favorite Godzilla movies in the top 10 format. And so, I am going to do exactly that. But, I am going to make two stipulations:

1. Only Godzilla movies. I love Rodan, Mothra, even War of the Gargantuas, and ESPECIALLY the original King Kong. But this day and this list is about Godzilla. So only Godzilla movies, but I do recommend every movie on this series' watchlist.

2. No Shin Godzilla or the original Godzilla. Like Up From the Depths said in his video (check it out right here), Shin Godzilla and Godzilla from 1954 are the two finest movies in the series. I am not including them because those two are too obvious. These are movies to explore other facets of the series. But if you only have time for two, watch those. They're two of my favorite films ever made and the two movies to watch.

So, let's get started. My TOP 10 GODZILLA MOVIES (unincluding Shin Godzilla and the original Godzilla)! Here we go!

Number 10- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla

This movie is absolute CHEESE, and it is what I live for. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is a 20th birthday party for the ages. You get two of your best friends in the world together and just beat the living crap out of that poser who thinks he's tougher than you and really passive aggressively steals your style. Of course, this is only hyperbole, don't actually do that. But it sure as hell didn't stop Godzilla, Anguirus and King Caesar from celebrating his 20th Birthday that way! Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is EVERYTHING you want from a movie in the first Godzilla series. A plot that goes all over the place and is more hilarious than well written, human characters that are fun to watch, albeit silly in their own way, and effects so hilariously over the top insane that you just cannot help but love it. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is one of the best. It introduces one of the greatest enemies of Godzilla ever, gives him a tough fight, and has one of the most strange yet perfect soundtracks of the entire series. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is just too nuts to pass up. This is a movie I recommend to anyone, someone looking for a good laugh, exciting monster action or just trying to get into the series. It is a great time for all, and HIGHLY recommended. Give it a watch!






Number 9- Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

There is so much good in Tokyo S.O.S. Following up on the prior year's Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, Tokyo S.O.S. picks up right where the action left off and delivers an absolute monster brawl for the ages. This movie starts at 100% and literally only gets higher from there. So much attention, love and care is given to all of the monsters (excluding Kamoebas, RIP big guy), and just enough attention is given to likable human protagonists that when you need a breather, it is delivered right one time. Tokyo S.O.S. contains some of the best music in the entire franchise. With Michiru Oshima returning to the master composer chair after fantastic work in Godzilla vs. Megagurius and Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, her work is absolutely perfected with not only the return of her incredible Kiryu and Godzilla theme, but an entirely new theme just for Mothra, and even one of the best versions of the Mothra Song to date. And when the monsters are fighting, it is everything you could ever ask for. This movie moves so quick that for some, I can see it being nauseating. But if you ask me, sometimes you just gotta crank the dial to 11, and this movie is at 11 the entire run time. If you got an hour and a half and need a shot of adrenaline, sit down and enjoy.


Number 8- Destroy All Monsters 

This one is an entry that usually catches a lot of flack, but I personally cannot help but love it. Of course, there is nostalgia tied to it as it is my official entry into the series, but I also do genuinely enjoy the movie. Destroy All Monsters of course will always be criticized for the fact that yes, not as much monster action happens, but this is okay in my eyes. Because we honestly get a fun and interesting to watch human story that unfolds in a really elaborate but well paced way that when the monsters do appear on screen, it's just as exciting as ever because you get pulled away from the characters you were used to seeing for the last chunk of time. And even though the monsters don't necessarily get as much screentime as you'd want, every monster (not named Baragon or Varan) gets treated very fairly. The monsters in the movie are used perfectly, letting you feel a little bit safer than usual, only to kidnap that safety and remind you that you paid for monster thrills and you're gonna get it, darn it! And of course, if you don't even want to watch the rest of the movie, no problem. Live your life. But of course, you HAVE to watch the final monster brawl. The monsters all ganging up on Ghidorah and just beating the absolute crap out of him is the stuff we all like to see.





Number 7- Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah

There is so much that makes Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah so good. The price of admission is paid for in the title alone. The rematch of the ages, bigger and better than ever. And man, does this one absolutely deliver. We get to see both monsters at their absolute best in the series. Godzilla ripping up cities and reminding humanity that you just can't get rid of him, and Ghidorah tearing up the world like the punishing devil he is and (almost) always will be. And then when Mecha King Ghidorah gets introduced, it just goes to show how these two were meant for each other. It's like Batman and the Joker. You can lock him up and beat the living tar out of him, but it doesn't matter. Because King Ghidorah will always come sniveling back for a rematch, or at very least one more swing. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah then gets bonus points for elaborating on and showing us the past of Godzilla, and just what a story went into making even the original Godzilla from 1954. Of course their origins are different, but it's similar stuff: nature doing its thing and then humanity ruins it all. It's great stuff. I of course appreciate Cinemassacre's note at the end of his recent top 5 video on how if WWII imagery is triggering or traumatizing for some viewers, then I will say avoid that one. But if you can ignore some of the human violence and just stick around for the monster brawls, you absolutely will not be disappointed.

Number 6- Godzilla: Final Wars

Controversial. Over the top. Absolute insanity. These words and phrases only BEGIN to explain what can go right and wrong for a viewer when watching Godzilla: Final Wars. I said it in my review, and I will say it here. I completely understand people's issues with the movie, and I agree with them. The only difference is I see these supposed issues as positives. No, Godzilla is not in the movie for awhile. And then when he does reemerge, he makes one of the best entrances and engages one of the most fun action set pieces and essentially action montages put into the entire series. The humans are sometimes laughable or just dry, and I don't see this as an issue. Because even if they are dry or being more over the top than a Nicolas Cage movie, it's just too fun to watch. Humans fighting, monsters fighting, the world blowing up and a 50th blowout birthday party that will make you rethink how you'd going to celebrate, Godzilla: Final Wars is an absolute BLAST. It is over the top hilarity at its finest, and that's what makes it so good. It knows how far gone the series is from its origins as a story of the nuclear apocalypse and embraces it. Godzilla: Final Wars is THE movie to watch if you just want to say "Screw it," and have a good time.


Number 5- Legendary Pictures' Godzilla

Folks, it is time for yet ANOTHER hot take to go with my opinion on Final Wars, because I got yet another one for you. Legendary Pictures' Godzilla is one of the absolute finest movies crafted in the entire series. Everything from the music to casting choices, effects, monster designs, cinematography, direction, you name it. Everything that went in to making a movie like this good was put in here and it is so well done. Of course, the movie does kill its most interesting character very early on, but it still has another two great leads to follow and even though the performance was great, we still get a great overall film. Yes, Godzilla isn't in every frame of the movie. But like his appearance in the 1954 original, every second he is on screen is used MASTERFULLY, inspiring fear, awe and hope in everything he does. The music that accompanies all of his scenes and indeed every scene in the movie is like a king's march after being lost on a voyage for many months. This movie was meant to reintroduce a character who had been dormant for 10 years, and hopefully get some new people introduced to the character, and it did this amazingly. Yes, Legendary Pictures' Godzilla is a quality film, and one of the best movies of the entire 65 year old franchise.

Number 4- Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster 

This movie is like the Avengers was for so many other people. Bringing together three previously introduced and popular monsters to take down a threat somehow bigger and more shocking than any of them in their own introductory films was never going to be easy. And somehow, Toho did it. Of course, this is one of the most important movies of the entire franchise. The introduction of King Ghidorah to the series is one of the most important moments ever, because like stated in Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, this is Godzilla's version of the Joker. If you're going to give a character an arch nemesis, they have got to be introduced right, and Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster introduces Ghidorah right. A threat bigger than Godzilla, Mothra and Rodan forcing all of the monsters to put aside their immediate dislike for each other to get along and safe not humanity, but the Earth as whole is brilliant. We get in this movie some of the single best moments in the entire franchise: Godzilla's hilarious fight with Rodan, Mothra riding on Rodan's back, Godzilla just blasting Ghidorah, the list goes on. This movie is pure entertainment at its highest, and even when the monsters aren't on screen, we have a fun to watch and interesting developed human story that makes everything even more complicated. If you want to meet one of the greatest monsters ever and have an amazing time watching, then Ghidorah is the movie for you.


Number 3- Godzilla vs. Destoroyah

No stake will ever be higher than the fate of the world. So it's best to save that for the finale. And that is EXACTLY what is at stake in Godzilla vs. Destoroyah. There is so much good that goes into this movie that it is just ridiculous. Everything you'd want for a movie like this is here. Stellar effects and action? Got it. Music that will make you cry and feel ready to get in a fight? You didn't even need to ask. Moments of excitement beyond compare and yet you might be crying in the end? Come on, you know the deal by now. And then this is made even better with everything in the movie being quality. From human characters to a story that is perfectly dramatic and hits all of its necessary beats before the credits role, nothing is under utilized in this one. And I do mean NOTHING. And for his sole appearance in film, Destoroyah is a monster that will never be forgotten. A truly amazing monster will be remembered far past their time on screen, and I'll be damned before I ever forget the horror of Destoroyah. And I'll also be damned if I ever forget how brilliantly done and perfectly paced the entire finale of the movie is. The finale of the movie alone makes it amazing, but then everything before that is so good that this one that must be seen. Do yourself a favor; watch Godzilla vs. Destoroyah.

Number 2- Mothra vs. Godzilla

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse when I confirm that Mothra vs. Godzilla is indeed one of the absolute best movies in this entire series. Truly, everything that went into making Godzilla vs. Destoroyah a good movie is also in this and is done somehow even better. This movie deserves enough credit for being an exciting movie and battle to watch despite the thought of how odd and imbalanced a fight like this sounds on paper. But it all works out in the end because the overall battle between the two monsters is great in and of itself, and it's only made better by EVERYTHING else. Music that is incredible? Of course. Two of the best movie monsters of all time coming together in the battle of the century? Well, that's just the cherry on top. And then before we even see the monsters, we have a great human story to follow that enhances everything about the movie. Mothra vs. Godzilla benefits from some of the most effort you ever will see in a giant monster movie. Its effects are even still pretty solid! Mothra vs. Godzilla is on of the entires in the series that no matter when watch will always be good.


Number 1- Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack

If you ask me, this is about as good as it gets right here. Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack is so. Good. If you want absolutely STELLAR action, the movie delivers. If you want music that is good even without the context in the film, the movie delivers. If you want human characters that like in most of the other movies on this list enhance the viewing experience, the movie delivers. If you want GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORAH AND EVEN BARAGON TO GO AT IT IN SOME OF THE MOST VISUALLY PLEASING AND ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING SCENES OF THE SERIES, WELL GUESS WHAT THE MOVIE DOES! THAT'S RIGHT; IT DELIVERS. GMK is almost painfully good, truly. There's never going to be another movie like it. Others will surely try, but this movie has nothing but love put behind its making, and it shows. If you are looking to watch a movie with some deep commentary and then watch monsters just beat the living crap out of each other, then this is the movie for you. It's like music from Run the Jewels. If you want the deeper message, you are covered. But if you're just looking to have fun and enjoy the background, you are so allowed to. GMK is one of the most universally loved movies in the series, and it makes sense. A flick like this isn't common, and it is so well done. Now, of course. If you want a traditional origin for Godzilla and the other monsters, maybe not the best movie for you. But like, who really cares? It's still Godzilla. Just pop in the movie, forget how lame your day was, and just have a good time. Because GMK is absolute perfection in that. So just kick back, relax, and enjoy one of the absolute best monster spectacles that we are sure to ever see.

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And with that, my job is almost done. Because you know what's next. Yeah. You bet I'm seeing Godzilla: King of the Monsters today. And yeah. You can bet that I'm going to review it. I will say, at max, give it a few days. But it will definitely be up either during next weekend or next Monday. I just want to let the movie happen first and foremost. But now, I gotta prepare. Because it's almost time to roll out and see the movie I have been waiting for my entire life.