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'''Godzilla''' (from the Japanese: ''Gojira'' meaning, approximately, [[gorilla]]-[[whale]]), is a fictional creature featured in a number of popular [[Japan]]ese films made by Toho Studios since 1954.

'''Godzilla''' (from the Japanese: ''Gojira'' meaning, approximately, [[gorilla]]-[[whale]]), is a fictional creature featured in a number of popular [[Japan]]ese films made by Toho Studios since 1954.

A 300-foot high, 20,000 ton, fire-breathing [[dinosaur]], he typically emerges from [[hibernation]] to demolish major cities, especially [[Tokyo]], and fight hand-to-hand with a selection of monstrous foes, notable amongst whom are Mothra (a gigantic [[moth]]), King Ghidorah (a three-headed golden space [[dragon]]), and Rodan (a huge [[pterodactyl]]). In the original 1954 film and many subsequently, Godzilla has been portrayed as a menace to humanity, in others as a saviour and guardian. In Son of Godzilla, he is shown to be a stern but conscientious father.

A 300-foot high, 20,000 ton, fire-breathing [[dinosaur]], he typically emerges from [[hibernation]] to demolish major cities, especially [[Tokyo]], and fight hand-to-hand with a selection of monstrous foes, notable amongst whom are Mothra (a gigantic [[moth]]), King Ghidorah (a three-headed golden space [[dragon]]), and Rodan (a huge [[pterodactyl]]). In the original 1954 film and many subsequent films, Godzilla has been portrayed as a menace to humanity, while in others he acts as as a saviour and guardian. In Son of Godzilla, he is shown to be a stern but conscientious father.

Being traditionally portrayed by a man in a suit, in contrast to the [[stop-motion animation]] techniques used for films such as [[King Kong]], allows Godzilla an almost human range of dramatic expression, at the expense of entirely convincing special effects. Though the versions commonly available in the West are often badly edited and cheaply [[dubbing|dubbed]], production values for Godzilla films are surprisingly high.  

Being traditionally portrayed by a man in a suit, in contrast to the [[stop-motion animation]] techniques used for films such as [[King Kong]], allows Godzilla an almost human range of dramatic expression, at the expense of entirely convincing special effects. Though the versions commonly available in the West are often badly edited and cheaply [[dubbing|dubbed]], production values for Godzilla films are surprisingly high.  

In addition to city-trampling and monster fights, [[science fiction]] themes such as [[robotics]], [[mind control]], and [[alien invasion]] are commonly featured. Leading human characters typically exhibit extreme devotion to duty and a readiness to make heroic self-sacrifices.

In addition to city-trampling and monster fights, [[science fiction]] themes such as [[robotics]], [[mind control]], and [[alien invasion]] are commonly featured. Leading human characters typically exhibit extreme devotion to duty and a readiness to make heroic self-sacrifices.

The enormous popularity and cultural resonance of Godzilla is perhaps due to his many positive characteristics. he is courageous and indomitable, a potent masculine symbol, and while pugnacious and solitary, is essentially dispassionate and impartial in his dealings with others. Godzilla also represents the personification of the threat to Japan from [[atomic bomb]]ing and [[earthquake]]s, and to some extent the traits of Japanese [[nationalism]], [[isolationism]] and [[xenophobia]].{{fact}}

The enormous popularity and cultural resonance of Godzilla is perhaps due to his many positive characteristics. He is courageous and indomitable, a potent masculine symbol, and while pugnacious and solitary, is essentially dispassionate and impartial in his dealings with others. Godzilla also represents the personification of the threat to Japan from [[atomic bomb]]ing and [[earthquake]]s, and to some extent the traits of Japanese [[nationalism]], [[isolationism]] and [[xenophobia]].{{fact}}

 

In 1998, German/American director [[Roland Emmerich]] remade the original film ''Godzilla'' using CGI and a whole new setting and story. This film switches the action from [[Tokyo]] to [[New York City]] and uses state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery (CGI) to represent the titular monster. The film garnered heavy criticism by fans of the original, who criticized the fact that the film did not contain the anti-nuclear message present in the original and had redesigned the creature. The 1998 film could be considered a revamp rather than a remake, mostly due to the different appearance of "Godzilla", who, rather than a mutated dinosaur was changed to an iguana mutated by nuclear fallout.  

In 1998, German/American director [[Roland Emmerich]] remade the original film ''Godzilla'' using CGI and a whole new setting and story. This film switches the action from [[Tokyo]] to [[New York City]] and uses state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery (CGI) to represent the titular monster. The film garnered heavy criticism by fans of the original, who criticized the fact that the film did not contain the anti-nuclear message present in the original and had redesigned the creature. The 1998 film could be considered a revamp rather than a remake, mostly due to the different appearance of "Godzilla", who, rather than a mutated dinosaur was changed to an iguana mutated by nuclear fallout.  

In 2004, Toho produced ''Godzilla: Final Wars'' in which they showed their disapproval of the 1998 version. In this film, an organization called the EDF (Earth Defense Force), which is composed of humans called "mutants", has been formed to counter the monster attacks that take place periodically. However, an alien race known as the Xilians takes control of many of the monsters on earth (one of which is the Roland Emmerich version of Godzilla, now called "Zilla") and directs them to attack many of Earth's major cities. Then they capture them, appearing to mankind as benevolent. However, when their true intentions of eating humans is revealed, they release the monsters on the cities to continue their destruction. Eventually, Godzilla (who was imprisoned in the ice) is freed, and proceeds to defeat each and every one of the monsters. He starts with "Zilla", who he defeats in 45 seconds (this was to go to show how much "better" the original Godzilla is). He then goes on to destroy the rest of them, ending the Xilian threat.

In 2004, Toho produced ''Godzilla: Final Wars'' in which they showed their disapproval of the 1998 version. In this film, an organization called the EDF (Earth Defense Force), which is composed of humans called "mutants", has been formed to counter the monster attacks that take place periodically. However, an alien race known as the Xilians takes control of many of the monsters on earth (one of which is the Roland Emmerich version of Godzilla, now called "Zilla") and directs them to attack many of Earth's major cities. Then they capture them, appearing to mankind as benevolent. However, when their true intentions of eating humans is revealed, they release the monsters on the cities to continue their destruction. Eventually, Godzilla (who was imprisoned in the ice) is freed, and proceeds to defeat each and every one of the monsters. He starts with "Zilla", who he defeats in 45 seconds (this was to go to show how much "better" the original Godzilla is). He then goes on to destroy the rest of them, ending the Xilian threat.