11:37 Actually, he was first drafted in 1935 where he fought against the Chinese in a war that began in the late 1800s. Then, when that war finally ended in the late 1930s, he was drafted again in 1939 for WW2. Which means that, in total, he lost a decade of his life to war and was a prisoner of war. Interestingly (as a side note) 1935-1945 was also the span of time that Ian Fleming was working at MI6.
I didn't know that about Ian Fleming. Cool! I noticed I read the wrong date, and put a correction in the bottom left, but I'm so glad that people who really love Honda and Godzilla are finding this video and commenting on it. I hope I did Godzilla proud.
I've often wondered if the human element in Godzilla films is simply a misunderstanding of target audience. They usually exist to serve a purpose of filling either (usually awkward) comedy, or emotional drama you don't quite get from 'big monster break things'. But I feel confident in saying a lot of people who look to see these films, aren't really interested in that. I'm also sure many, like myself, would appreciate when those things are successfully integrated to add some depth to 'big monster break things', but usually the action and visuals are what people are after. The human element in King of Monsters was PAINFUL, but it sure was fun to see all the monsters on screen. Having a deep and rich Godzilla film is always great, but I think they often try too hard and fail in this purpose, especially when the viewer is often simply looking for a good action flick. I think it works in the sense of a disaster film, more specifically focussed on how the destruction is effecting the civilian populace, see Godzilla 2014 or Cloverfield (to certain extents) or even better Shin Godzilla, maintaining the social/political commentary Godzilla is based around. But I think they need to focus less on making them a comedic relief or distraction, or a crutch to get the plot to function, and just give them some genuine purpose that compliments the story. When we're getting more emotion out of big scary monsters than the human characters we should be able to sympathise with, you can tell your human characters are lacking. I do think you make a very strong final point. And its a great example of integrating a more thought provoking human element. I do wish that the current films felt more like a reflection of that. Great video, was cool to see this kind of commentary, I know Godzilla vs Kong had me thinking about it. It definitely seemed to be a step away from the issues of King of Monsters, but it was still very much present. And of course thanks for including us in your video 😁
This is the most thoughtful comment I've received. I would agree that most people are looking for "big monster break things." I recently re-watched King of the Monsters, and thinking about the model for character I present in this, and I can't decide if Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) fits it or not. Maybe a little? I guess it was nice to see that they were trying, but for the most part the humans were definitely not a part of that movie I enjoyed. It's interesting to look at Godzilla movies from the point of view of a disaster film. I have a soft spot in my heart for disaster films. And I think they do function quite similarly. One thing reading your comment made me think about. The difference between kaiju films and other films is that, at times, the kaiju almost have a story themselves. Like humans are the A plot and kaiju are the B plot. Whereas horror movies and disaster movies have the advantage of having the primary story revolve around its characters. Something I should have mentioned in the video. Thanks so much for your thought-provoking comment, and taking time to actually watch the video! It was an honour to include your rendition of ToeJam and Early in the video. Thanks again! I can't wait to see what you guys do next!
11:37 Actually, he was first drafted in 1935 where he fought against the Chinese in a war that began in the late 1800s. Then, when that war finally ended in the late 1930s, he was drafted again in 1939 for WW2. Which means that, in total, he lost a decade of his life to war and was a prisoner of war.
Interestingly (as a side note) 1935-1945 was also the span of time that Ian Fleming was working at MI6.
I didn't know that about Ian Fleming. Cool! I noticed I read the wrong date, and put a correction in the bottom left, but I'm so glad that people who really love Honda and Godzilla are finding this video and commenting on it. I hope I did Godzilla proud.
You bring up some great points. I especially loved you pointing out the visual of the earth burning in so many of these movies. Powerful stuff.
Thank you very much! At least in one case there may have been some burning because their pyrotechnics went a little haywire, but nonetheless ;)
I've often wondered if the human element in Godzilla films is simply a misunderstanding of target audience. They usually exist to serve a purpose of filling either (usually awkward) comedy, or emotional drama you don't quite get from 'big monster break things'. But I feel confident in saying a lot of people who look to see these films, aren't really interested in that. I'm also sure many, like myself, would appreciate when those things are successfully integrated to add some depth to 'big monster break things', but usually the action and visuals are what people are after. The human element in King of Monsters was PAINFUL, but it sure was fun to see all the monsters on screen. Having a deep and rich Godzilla film is always great, but I think they often try too hard and fail in this purpose, especially when the viewer is often simply looking for a good action flick.
I think it works in the sense of a disaster film, more specifically focussed on how the destruction is effecting the civilian populace, see Godzilla 2014 or Cloverfield (to certain extents) or even better Shin Godzilla, maintaining the social/political commentary Godzilla is based around.
But I think they need to focus less on making them a comedic relief or distraction, or a crutch to get the plot to function, and just give them some genuine purpose that compliments the story. When we're getting more emotion out of big scary monsters than the human characters we should be able to sympathise with, you can tell your human characters are lacking.
I do think you make a very strong final point. And its a great example of integrating a more thought provoking human element. I do wish that the current films felt more like a reflection of that.
Great video, was cool to see this kind of commentary, I know Godzilla vs Kong had me thinking about it. It definitely seemed to be a step away from the issues of King of Monsters, but it was still very much present.
And of course thanks for including us in your video 😁
This is the most thoughtful comment I've received. I would agree that most people are looking for "big monster break things." I recently re-watched King of the Monsters, and thinking about the model for character I present in this, and I can't decide if Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga) fits it or not. Maybe a little? I guess it was nice to see that they were trying, but for the most part the humans were definitely not a part of that movie I enjoyed.
It's interesting to look at Godzilla movies from the point of view of a disaster film. I have a soft spot in my heart for disaster films. And I think they do function quite similarly.
One thing reading your comment made me think about. The difference between kaiju films and other films is that, at times, the kaiju almost have a story themselves. Like humans are the A plot and kaiju are the B plot. Whereas horror movies and disaster movies have the advantage of having the primary story revolve around its characters. Something I should have mentioned in the video.
Thanks so much for your thought-provoking comment, and taking time to actually watch the video! It was an honour to include your rendition of ToeJam and Early in the video. Thanks again! I can't wait to see what you guys do next!
Human characters were ALWAYS weak in every Godzilla film...except the 1954 original.
I'd say Serizawa is the strongest character in the 1954 movie. I'm not sure anyone else really changes.
I agree with you 100% about everything you said! Very well explained ☺️ ! 👏💯
So kind! Thank you very much!
So Wants vs Needs makes characters more subjectively compelling.
At the very least, depending on the genre, I think it *can*
Hey, what happened to your sailor moon videos? :(
They are currently in a copyright dispute. Hopefully they, and I survive.
I liked the Human characters just fine in Godzilla vs Kong.