Return of Godzilla

                                 RETURN OF GODZILLA

TOHO brought Godzilla back in 1984 with The Return of Godzilla or simply title Godzilla in Japan. The film started the Heisei series which wiped the slate clean with the exception of the ’54 film.  This era took a more serious approach and presented Godzilla as a force of nature.                         The film begins with a fishing vessel caught in a storm near an island. Within the raging storm, the island seems to come alive. A few days later, reporter Goro Maki discovers the ship's remains. He slips aboard to find the whole crew dead, seemingly drained of blood. The only survivor is a crew member named Hiroshi Okumura. Maki is attacked by a giant Sea louse, but is saved by Okumura. When they return, it is determined that what Okumura saw was a new Godzilla.  The discovery is kept secret, therefore preventing Maki from sharing his story.  He visits a professor named Hayashida who presents his theories on Godzilla. There he meets Naoko, Okumura's sister, and informs her that her brother is alive.                            A Soviet nuclear submarine is attacked by Godzilla. To prevent a Cold War escalation, the Japanese reveal the return of Godzilla. At a cabinet meeting the JSDF reveal their secret weapon Super X. A attack plane specifically designed to handle nuclear disasters. Godzilla attacks a nuclear power plant to consume the energy from the reactor. Professor Hayashida discovers Godzilla can be lured by the call of birds. He proposes they use this to lure Godzilla to Mount Mihara to trap him in the volcano. The Prime Minister meets with American and Soviet representatives who propose using nuclear weapons. The minister reinstates Japan's zero tolerance for using nuclear weapons.                          Godzilla appears in Tokyo bay. The JSDF attempts to stop him, Godzilla makes short work of their forces. During the conflict, a Soviet ship is damaged resulting in an accidental launch  of a nuclear warhead from a satellite Godzilla is confronted by the Super X which seems to successfully bring him down. The Soviet launch is discovered, and the American's assistance is requested in shooting the missile down.  Meanwhile, Professor Hayashida, Maki, and Naoko are extracted from a building near by, Due to winds, Maki and Naoko are left to find their own way out of the building. The Americans successfully shoot down the missile, but the blast results in an electrical storm and a EMP.  The radiation revives Godzilla who destroys the Super X. Maki and Naoko are caught up in destruction. Hayashida arrives at the volcano to activate the signal.  Before Maki and Naoko are trampled, Godzilla turns away, and follows the signal.  He arrives at the islands, and after some hesitation he falls into he volcano becoming imprisoned within.                         This film was a return to the tone of the original. Godzilla is back to being the villain and there are real stakes involving the characters. The Godzilla suit has been given a overhaul with a more menacing look.  The film also revisits the nuclear themes of the original through the discussions with the Soviets and Americans. The film did get a Americanized version called Godzilla 1985. It added American footage. giving an american perspective on the story. It also saw the return of Raymond Burr as Reporter Steve Martin. He is brought in by the American's due to being a eye witness to Godzilla's attack in '54. The film makes some story changes. It hints that Godzilla may not have been killed in '54, not indicating this is a new Godzilla. It presents the ending as Godzilla being killed, not just entrapped. One of the biggest changes is the Soviet missile launch. The Japanese version presents it as a accidental launch, while the America version  makes it intentional. This film is very underrated, partly due to their being no opposing monster, It conveys a sense of dread that few others in the series contain. It really reestablished Godzilla as the king of the monsters.