#I know I haven’t talked about Godzilla Minus one yet

[pirateprincessjess]

hi jess! as someone who has never seen a godzilla film, where would you suggest i start to get into the franchise? sorry if this question has been asked a lot, if so then feel free to use this as an excuse to gush about the franchise :3

I think there are some very good places to start with Godzilla. I’m gonna give met recommended starting points here, and then I’ll elaborate under the “view more”

So, my list of Godzilla starting points in no particular order.

Godzilla (2014) - this is a reboot and it’s the beginning of the monsterverse series

Godzilla (1984) - this is a reboot and it’s the beginning of the Hesei era Godzilla series that runs until 1995

Shin Godzilla - a stand alone movie. No sequels to prequels

Godzilla (1954) - it’s the original Godzilla story and it’s good, but I also understand that older movies can be intimidating for newer viewers

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla - Not to be confused with Godzilla vs Mecha Godzilla, this millennium era Godzilla movie is part of a self contained duology that I personally really enjoy

Now, I’ll explain why I recommend these as staring points bellow:

Godzilla 2014 and Monsterverse

Godzilla (2014) is probably my favorite place to start new fans of Godzilla, even if it’s not my favorite Godzilla movie.

G2014 is the first movie in the Monsterverse series, and there are still Monsterverse projects coming out today. Godzilla X Kong the New Empire is coming soon, and Monarch season 1 is releasing right now. It’s fun to watch something and be a part of something while it’s new and coming out.

I think you will probably enjoy all of the Monsterverse movies, but pay attention to which one you like the most, because it will act as a good indicator of which Godzilla movies to watch next because the Monsterverse movies do a really good job of capturing the tone and feel of different eras of Godzilla movies. It’s like watching through a sampler platter of the entire franchise. G2014 is a beautifully shot cinematic movie that holds its own when compared to the best Godzilla films, while Godzilla King of the Monsters is an action packed monster melee reminiscent of the Hesei era films. Godzilla vs Kong is a campy monster movie that feels like the Showa era films, and Monarch is shaping up to be an introspective look at society that feels in line with the more recent Godzilla projects (shin Godzilla, Singular point, Minus 1).

The monsterverse franchise feels like a love letter to the entire Godzilla franchise, and it makes it the perfect starting point.

Godzilla 1984, and the Heisei continuity

My favorite Godzilla movies are the ones from the Heisei era. Godzilla 1984 was made as a reboot of the franchise, and it’s the start of a solid continuity that lasts until 1995s Godzilla vs Destoroyah. These movies have incredible practical effects and have aged very very well. There are tons of cool monsters and they are just fun. To me this era of Godzilla movies will always be the best, but I also understand that it’s not for everyone.

Shin Godzilla and the Reiwa era

I like Shin Godzilla a lot. It feels like a new philosophical direction for Godzilla as a franchise, while still being respectful of the series roots, but it’s also a hard movie to talk about without spoiling the film. (Don’t worry no spoilers here). Shin Godzilla and its success opened the door for some very interesting projects (like Godzilla singular point, G vs G, Godzilla Minus One and Godzilla earth). I have mixed feelings about some of the Reiwa era Godzilla projects, but I appreciate that they are taking risks with the franchise.

Godzilla 1954 the original

Obviously the original movie was going to be on this list. I think it’s a movie that everyone should see, but I actually don’t think it needs to be the first movie you see. It’s an excellent starting point but I also understand not being in the mood to watch a 70 year old movie. That being said, when you are in the mood for an older movie, you should watch it.

Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and the millennium era.

After the Heisei Godzilla movies ended they rebooted the franchise again, but instead of starting a new continuity they created a series of stand alone movies that were each in their own continuities. The only exception to this is the two part story of Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, and Godzilla Tokyo SOS.

You could watch any of the movies from this era without having seen any other Godzilla films, I just happen to like Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla the best. (Godzilla 2000 is a close second).

These are in my opinion the best places to start, but In actuality you can start anywhere. Even the movies with the most continuity around them are pretty stand alone and self contained, so if none of these movies appeal to you then just find one that looks fun and start there

[dasenergi-diary]

Thanks for the tag, @africanmorning!

Favorite Pseudonym: Das Energi is the one I have used for 20+ years. I even own dasenergi.com

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Last Meal: Geronimo and I went to Modica’s Deli in Long Beach and I had a cold veggie sandwich with fresh mozzarella, roasted bell peppers, tomato, lettuce, pesto, oil & vinegar, and pickles. And I drank an iced mocha latte. I really should have breakfast.

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Currently Reading: Umm… “The 21 Lessons of Merlyn: A Study in Druid Magic & Lore”?

Books/Shows/Movies you want to get around to: Books - Oh, I have several on my to-read pile for 2024. Partciularly a few gay romance novels. I also want to re-read all of Francesca Lia Block's Weeztie Bat books. But I promised @teenakp I would read Terry Pratchett’s “Nation” next. Shows - I am eager to watch Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij’s “A Murder at the End of the World”. Movies - I am planning to rewatch all of the original Sean Connery James Bond movies. Followed by all the Indiana Jones movies. Or maybe it's the other way around.

Last Thing Researched: I looked up the lyrics to Eartha Kitt’s “Under the Bridges of Paris”. Does that count?

Last Thing Learned: Ummm… that “Under the Bridges of Paris” is totally about having sexy times under the bridges of Paris, just as I expected it to be. (It was the B-Side to Eartha Kitt's “Santa Baby” 45 RPM vinyl.)

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Favorite Thing You Enjoy That Never Had an Active or Big "Fandom" But You Wish It Did: Heck, I am surprised that “For All Mankind” even has a small fandom at all. Most things I like aren't very popular. But two shows that come to my mind. Back in 2020 Alex Garland had a great sci-fi show on Hulu called “Devs”. It deserved a bigger following when it aired. And more recently, there was a great French/Japanese show on Apple TV based on a manga about wine tasting called “Drops of God”. I wish it had a bigger following… I wanted people to talk to about it when the new episodes were airing weekly.

Tempting Project You Don't Have Time For: I know I have a follow-up to my book “Rewrite the Stars” inside of me. Like a do-over. I put so much of myself into that one and it never caught on. I had higher hopes for it. As an artist I try to push on the accepted norms of our medium — new ways of thinking, seeing, experiencing. But society doesn’t know how to approach things it doesn’t understand. Constantly feeling misunderstood isn’t very motivating. Why put so much time and effort into something that no one will read? The follow-up lives in my mind, and right now that is good enough for me. Who has time to write another book? I'd rather sleep and dream.

Tempting Project I've Given In to: Out with the old, and in with the new. I have been going through the house and garage getting rid of things I haven't used or doesn't resonate with me anymore. For example, I donated seven boxes of books to the Friends of the Library. But there is still a lot in this house I need to sort though. My current project is the garage. Next will be the closet.

Tagging: @persepinesascent and @teenakp if you are in the mood for it.