Godzilla: Final Wars

Godzilla: Final Wars
Japanese film poster
Directed by	Ryuhei Kitamura
Produced by	Shogo Tomiyama
Screenplay by	Isao Kiriyama Wataru Mimura
Narrated by	Kōichi Yamadera
Starring	Masahiro Matsuoka Rei Kikukawa Don Frye Kane Kosugi Maki Mizuno Kazuki Kitamura Masakatsu Funaki Kumi Mizuno Kenji Sahara Patrick Castillo Masami Nagasawa Chihiro Otsuka Masatoh Eve Jun Kitamura Akira Takarada Tsutomu Kitagawa
Music by	Keith Emerson Nobuhiko Morino Daisuke Yano Themes: Akira Ifukube
Cinematography	Takumi Furuya Fujio Okawa
Editing by	Shūichi Kakesu
Distributed by	Toho
Release date(s)	December 4, 2004 (2004-12-04)
Running time	125 minutes
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese English
Budget	$19,500,000
Box office	$12 million

Godzilla: Final Wars (ゴジラ ファイナルウォーズ, Gojira: Fainaru Wōzu) is a 2004 Japanese science fiction kaiju film directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, written by Wataru Mimura and Isao Kiriyama and produced by Shogo Tomiyama. It is the twenty-eighth film in the Godzilla film series, and the sixth in terms of the series' Millennium era. The film stars Masahiro Matsuoka, Don Frye, Rei Kikukawa, Kane Kosugi, Maki Mizuno and Kazuki Kitamura.

The film is set in the future where mutant soldiers have been discovered and been placed in an Earth Defense Organization. An alien invasion force called The Xilians unleash a legion of giant monsters across the world, leaving only a few survivors. The survivors travel to the South Pole to free Godzilla from his icy prison to battle the monsters while the survivors attempt to infiltrate the alien Mothership and take out The Xilians.

As a 50th anniversary celebratory film, a large group of actors from previous Godzilla films, both classic and new, made appearances as main characters or cameo appearances. This goes for the kaiju (monsters) as well, as most of the monsters in the film had been missing from the screen for more than thirty years. This is the only Godzilla film, from the Japanese series, to receive a PG-13 rating by the MPAA. The only other Godzilla film to receive this rating is the American remake of Godzilla.

Despite the title, this is not the actual finale of all Godzilla films; Toho decided to temporarily retire the character for a period of time. It was also the first Godzilla movie to be shot on high-definition video instead of film.

Plot

Endless warfare and environmental pollution has resulted in dangerous giant monsters and the Earth Defense Force (EDF) is created to protect the planet. The organization is equipped with the best technology, weapons and soldiers, as well as mutants with special abilities. Godzilla is the EDF's only unstoppable opponent. The EDF's best combat vehicle, the Gotengo, corners Godzilla at the South Pole and buries him under the Antarctic ice, freezing him alive.

Several years later, the EDF discovers a mummified space monster. Mutant soldier Shinichi Ozaki and U.N. biologist Miyuki Otonashi are sent to research it. Shortly thereafter, the two encounter the Shobijin, fairies of the guardian monster Mothra, who reveal that the monster is Gigan, an alien cyborg sent to destroy the Earth 12,000 years ago. They also warn that a battle between good and evil will happen soon.

Suddenly, monsters appear in major cities on Earth and the EDF is summoned, attempting to drive away the monsters. Despite defeating Ebirah, the EDF is unsuccessful in destroying the monsters. The various monsters include Anguirus in Shanghai, Rodan in New York City, King Caesar in Okinawa, Kamacuras in Paris, Kumonga in Arizona, Zilla in Sydney and Ebirah near Tokyo. After destroying much of their cities, the monsters vanish as an enormous alien mothership hovers over Tokyo. Aliens called the Xilians insist they are friendly and that they eliminated the monsters. They also warn the Earth about an asteroid called Gorath that will crash into the planet. Because of their seemingly friendly nature, the UN is demolished and the Space Nations is established, an alliance to unite the universe.

Ozaki, Miyuki, Gotengo captain Douglas Gordon (Don Frye), and several others distrust them. After some research and undercover work, they discover the Xilians are lying. The Xilians turn out to be the ones who unleashed the monsters, and they also replaced several key members of the EDF with android duplicates, planning on subjugating humanity to harvest their mitochondria for food. The Xilians are then exposed on live television. At the moment, the second-in command of the Xilians called the Controller, who was opposed to his commander's decision to subtly take over Earth, kills him, takes control of Earth's mutants (except Ozaki who is seemingly immune), and orders an all-out strike. Instantly, the monsters are released onto Earth's major cities. Ozaki, Miyuki, Gordon, and a few others escape to their secret facility.

On Mt. Fuji, a hunter and his grandson discover Minilla, Godzilla's son. The trio are successful in outrunning the Xilians' assault by keeping a low profile.

Gordon proposes freeing Godzilla to allow the dinosaur to defeat the other monsters. Using the Gotengo, the EDF goes to Antarctica and are chased by Gigan. As soon as Godzilla is released from his hibernation, he quickly kills Gigan. Spotting the Gotengo, Godzilla immediately follows it. The Gotengo returns for Tokyo, hoping Godzilla will unwittingly defeat the Xilians. The Xilians send the controlled monsters after Godzilla. He defeats them in short battles. The Gotengo and Godzilla arrive at Tokyo.

The Gotengo attacks the Mothership and a desperate battle ensues, during which Ozaki's rival and friend Kazama sacrifices his own life to destroy the Mothership's shield generator. Meanwhile, the meteor falls to Earth onto Godzilla. Monster X materializes and engages in a battle with Godzilla. Gigan, who has now been upgraded, aids Monster X, but Mothra arrives to engage him into battle. Inside the Xilian mothership, the humans enter to begin the final attack. In the midst, Ozaki is revealed to be a "Kaiser"; an all powerful super being capable of easily controlling Earth. However, he chooses to stay with the humans and battles the Xilian Controller, who is also a Kaiser. After an extended battle, the humans eventually win and escape the Mothership before it self-destructs.

With Gigan and Mothra dead, Godzilla continues his battle with Monster X, who evolves himself as Keizer Ghidorah. Keizer Ghidorah initially has an advantage over Godzilla using his lightning beams to overpower him and draining his power through its teeth. Ozaki aids Godzilla by transferring some of his Kaiser powers over to the behemoth, and Godzilla prevails over Ghidorah. He then turns to attack the Gotengo, but a now much larger Minilla confronts him. Godzilla heeds his son and turns to leave. Minilla follows, and Godzilla lets out one final roar.

Cast

• Masahiro Matsuoka as Shinichi Ozaki (尾崎 真一, Ozaki Shin'ichi), a soldier in the Earth Defense Force's M-Unit team.
• Rei Kikukawa as Miyuki Otonashi (音無 美雪, Otonashi Miyuki), a molecular biologist recruited by the United Nations.
• Don Frye as Colonel Douglas Gordon (ダグラス・ゴードン大佐, Dagurasu Gōdon Taisa), the captain of the Gotengo.
• Kane Kosugi as Katsunori Kazama (風間 勝範, Kazama Katsunori), a soldier in the Earth Defense Force's M-Unit and close friend of Ozaki.
• Maki Mizuno as Anna Otonashi (音無 杏奈, Otonashi Anna), Miyuki's older sister and a news reporter for Nitto Television.
• Kazuki Kitamura as the Xilian Staffer (X星人参謀, Ekkusu-seijin Sanbō), the villainous leader of the Xilian race.
• Kumi Mizuno as Akiko Namikawa (波川 玲子, Namikawa Akiko), the Earth Defense Force Commander.
• Kenji Sahara as Hachiro Jinguji (神宮寺 八郎, Jingūji Hachirō), a paleontologist and friend of Miyuki who discovers Mothra in Hokkaido.
• Patrick Castillo as JXSDF First LT. Andre Ramirez, Used to be a Kiyru Fighter now a operator on the Gotengo but, later dies.
• Masami Nagasawa and Chihiro Otsuka as the Shobijin (小美人), the fairy guardians of Mothra.
• Shigeru Izumiya as Samon Taguchi (田口 左門, Taguchi Samon), an elderly hunter based in Mt. Fuji.
• Kenta Suga as Kenta Taguchi (田口 健太, Taguchi Kenta), Samon's grandson.
• Masakatsu Funaki as Commander Kumasaka (熊坂教官, Kumasaka Kyōkan), the leader of the M-Unit and Ozaki's direct superior.
• Masatoh Eve as the Xilian General (X星人司令官, Ekkusu seijin Shirei), the initial leader of the Xilians until he is killed.
• Jun Kunimura as Major Kumoro (小室少佐, Kumuro Shōsa), the assistant commander of the Gotengo.
• Akira Takarada as Naotaro Daigo (醍醐 直太郎, Daigo Naotarō), the United Nations Secretary-General.
• Tsutomu Kitagawa as Godzilla, the titular character.
• Kazuhiro Yoshida as Gigan and Hedorah
• Naoko Kamio as Minilla and Rodan
• Toshihiro Ogura as Keizer Ghidorah, Anguirus and Ebirah
• Motokuni Nakagawa as Monster X and King Caesar

Several computer animated monsters were created for use in the film. They consist of Manda, Mothra, Zilla, Kamacuras, and Kumonga. Stock footage from previous films were used for other monsters, such as Varan, Gaira, Baragon, Gezora, Titanosaurus, Mechagodzilla, and Megaguirus.

Production

Music

The music in Godzilla: Final Wars was composed by Keith Emerson, Daisuke Yano and Nobuhiko Morino, while the band Sum 41 contributed the song "We're All To Blame" to the soundtrack (and received high billing in the film's opening credits sequence). Some critics expressed concern with the music of Final Wars, arguing that Emerson's score would be better suited for a campy made-for-television movie or video games, while others pointed out that it made a refreshing change from the music of previous Godzilla films.

Akira Ifukube's themes were mostly absent from the movie, though Godzilla's original theme can be heard at the beginning of the film. However, Keith Emerson did cover the Godzilla theme which is available on the film's official soundtrack. The cover is entitled "Godzilla (Main Theme)".

The bands Sum 41 and Zebrahead contributed the tracks "We're All To Blame" and "Godzilla vs. Tokyo" respectively, to the film, however neither song was on the film's soundtrack.

Filming locations

Godzilla: Final Wars began filming in July 2003. The locations of filming included Sydney, Egypt, New York City, Paris, Shanghai, Arizona and Tokyo.

Critical reception

Godzilla: Final Wars has received mixed reviews from film critics and fans alike. As of May 2011, review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes reports that 50% of critics gave positive reviews for the film based on nine reviews.

Steve Biodrowski of Cinefantastique called the film "utterly fantastic" and "a rush of explosive excitement." Jim Agnew of Film Threat gave the film four and a half stars out of five, saying "the good news for kaiju fans is that Godzilla: Final Wars is a kick-ass giant monster flick." Drew McWeeny of Ain't It Cool News remarked, "Godzilla: Final Wars earns a special place in my heart. It's fun. Pure lunatic fun, every frame." Sean Axmaker of Static Multimedia said, "Directed by a true fan of the old school, it's lusciously, knowingly, lovingly cheesy." Craig Blamer of the Chico News & Review called the film "a giddy and fast-paced celebration of the big guy."

Conversely, David Nusair of Reel Film gave the film one and a half stars out of five, saying that "the battles are admittedly quite entertaining" but felt that director Ryuhei Kitamura "is absolutely the wrong choice for the material." David Cornelius of eFilmCritic gave the film two stars out of five, calling it "the dullest, weakest Godzilla movie I've seen in a long, long time." Ty Burr of the Boston Globe gave the film one and a half stars out of five, saying it focused too much on action and not enough on story, and calling it "35 minutes longer than is necessary."

The film makes a number of obvious references to The Matrix, Independence Day, X-Men, and Star Wars, which attracted some criticism from audiences, accusing it of plagiarism. Some critics expressed concern with the music of the film, arguing that Keith Emerson's score would be better suited for television or video games and not well suited for a film.

Among kaiju-related websites, J.L. Carrozza of Toho Kingdom "absolutely love[d]" Final Wars, saying "[it's] no masterpiece, but it is such insane fun that quite frankly it's hard not to adore it." Mike Bogue of American Kaiju said "the film is flawed, but nonetheless entertaining," saying there are "too many [Matrix-style] battles" but that the film "makes excellent use of its monsters" and "Kitamura keeps things moving at a brisk pace." Japan Hero criticized the "[lack of] character development" but concluded that Final Wars is "a very entertaining movie," saying that "Kitamura did a wonderful job making it an interesting and great looking film worthy of being the final [Godzilla] movie."

Stomp Tokyo said "the monster scenes are generally well done" but criticized the film's "incoherence," saying: "It's a shame that Kitamaura couldn't choose a tone for the film, instead shifting the movie's mood wildly from scene to scene." Lenny Taguchi of Monster Zero criticized Keith Emerson's soundtrack but gave Final Wars an overall favorable review, calling it a "fun and good" movie that "tries many things, and generally succeeds at almost all of them."

Box office

At roughly $19,500,000, Godzilla: Final Wars was the most expensive Toho-produced Godzilla film of all time.

Any hopes Toho had of Godzilla: Final Wars ending the series with a box office bang were crushed when the film opened in Japan on December 4, 2004. In its opening weekend, it came in third at the box office with $1,874,559. At the holiday season box office, it was clobbered by Howl's Moving Castle and The Incredibles, both which also pursued the family market. It eventually grossed roughly $12,000,000 at the Japanese box office, with 1,000,000 admissions. Not only was it the least-attended film in the Millennium series, it was also the least attended film in 29 years since Terror of Mechagodzilla.

DVD

Sony Pictures

• Released: December 13, 2005
• Aspect Ratio: Widescreen (2.39:1) anamorphic
• Sound: Japanese (5.1), English (5.1)
• Supplements: Behind-the-Scenes featurette (comparison of B-roll footage to finished film); Trailers for Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, Steamboy, Dust to Glory, MirrorMask, and Madison
• Region 1
• MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence.

External links

• Godzilla: Final Wars at the Internet Movie Database
• Godzilla: Final Wars at AllRovi
• Godzilla: Final Wars at Rotten Tomatoes
• Official Site in Japanese
• Godzilla: Final Wars at Toho Kingdom including several reviews
• "ゴジラ　ＦＩＮＡＬ　ＷＡＲＳ" (in Japanese). Japanese Movie Database. http://www.jmdb.ne.jp/2004/eb004820.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-21.