Did you know there are 30 "Godzilla" movies?

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Did you know there are 30 "Godzilla" movies?

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Writer: Casey Chong

"Gojira", or internationally known as, "Godzilla", is more than just a monster movie. First appearing in 1954, "Godzilla" is famously known for revolutionising the kaiju genre in the history of Japanese cinema. The black-and-white classic, in turn, became so successful at the Japan box office during its original release in 1954 and subsequently paved the way for more sequels and reboots over the course of 60 years. Since then, "Godzilla" is hailed as a Japanese icon and also became a mass inspiration for many future filmmakers around the world, including Mexican director Guillermo del Toro for his kaiju-inspired Hollywood blockbuster, "Pacific Rim" in 2013. To date, there are 30 feature movies of Godzilla made in Japan and Hollywood (the 1998 American remake directed by Roland Emmerich and the 2014 reboot by Gareth Edwards). Following the success of Edwards' version of "Godzilla" two years ago, the Japanese version has finally made its own huge comeback with "Godzilla: Resurgence" this year. Otherwise known as "Shin Godzilla" in Japan, the brand new reboot had already attracted positive reception both critically and financially when it first premiered in its native country back in July. Thankfully, local fans and audiences can finally witness the return of Japanese Godzilla stomping into our cinemas this 22 September. To honour the upcoming release of "Godzilla: Resurgence", let's take a step back towards the past and check out every Godzilla movie examined and evaluated from its successful black-and-white origin in 1954 to the recent Gareth Edwards' Hollywood reboot in 2014.

16. "The Return Of Godzilla" (1984)

Three decades after the devastating events of "Godzilla" in 1954, the iconic monster returns to terrorise Japan. Served both as an updated reboot and a direct sequel to the original 1954 version, "The Return Of Godzilla" (or "Godzilla 1984") uses Cold War allegory to evoke serious tension while the overall tone is grim. The creature effects of Godzilla, as well as the miniature designs are also significantly improved than the ones seen in the original movie thirty years ago. (Note: The movie was re-released in America under the title of "Godzilla 1985" with most of the original footage heavily butchered with the additional new scene involving Raymond Burr's character as Steve Martin).

17. "Godzilla vs. Biollante" (1989)

When Mt. Mihara that imprisoned Godzilla is erupted and frees the monster once again to unleash chaos, Godzilla then faces a new enemy in the form of a mutated plant-like monster known as Biollante. Following the decent 1984 reboot, the rejuvenated "Godzilla" series returns to the long-missed monster smackdowns via "Godzilla vs. Biollante". The Biollante monster itself is both vicious and terrifying, while the night time titanic battle between Godzilla and Biollante is suitably grim and atmospheric.

18. "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" (1991)

Time travellers (Anna Nakagawa's Emmy, Chuck Wilson's Wilson and Richard Berger's Grenchiko) from the future travel back in time to warn that Japan would be completely destroyed by the impending arrival of Godzilla. To prevent the monster from annihilating the entire city, the time travellers opted to go back to 1944 and remove the dinosaur from exposing itself to the Bikini H-Bomb radiation test before it mutated into Godzilla. But things become complicated when King Ghidorah terrorises Japan in 1992. "Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah" is particularly notable as the first movie in the series that introduced the time-travel concept. It was a refreshing change of pace which also re-introduced the iconic King Ghidorah with improved creature effects. Although the time-travel plot is cranked up to a preposterous level, the overall movie itself is cinematic enough with some of the most spectacular monster smackdowns ever seen in the series.

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Cinema Online, 19 September 2016