1) Remake the original Godzilla. Set it in Japan. Play it straight (NO CAMP). Make it tense. Make it scary. Keep the tone that the original film had (somber, tense, cautionary). Take one idea from the American version of the original and include an American character who is a close friend of Dr. Serizawa and use him to get into the story and get close to the principles, provide a logical reason for the Japanese characters to speak English (when there are only Japanese people onscreen, have them speak Japanese with subtitles), and make sure we feel something when Serizawa sacrifices himself. Explain the pseudo-science (radioactive mutant dinosaur, oxygen destroyer) just enough for it to be believed. That film could be awesome. I have no faith in Hollywood to actually make it, unfortunately.

2. The more likely to actually be made “good” option would be to do what Toho has done with their most recent Godzilla films and set the film in a world where the first Godzilla happened years ago and monsters are a way of life. Make it a big actioner with some “stand up and cheer” moments. Another iteration of this option could be set in a near-future world where monsters are a reality and humanity is threatened. The film would introduce Godzilla as the greatest of all monsters–and perhaps humanity’s last hope. While not as good a concept as the first version, this could still be entertaining.

In either version (or any other film that may be conceived) a few things need to be done right that have not been done right before. Namely, the monster needs to be GODZILLA, not just a big lizard. He has to have some personality and not just be an animal (casting an actor like Andy Serkis to mo-cap his performance is a must). He must have the atomic fire breath, and a big deal must be made of it (perhaps just when the humans or some other monster think they’ve halted Godzilla’s advance it will be revealed for the first time as his ultimate weapon). He must be beyond any conventional means of attack.

I have wanted a cool, big budget G-film since I was a kid. The 1998 film, while entertaining (with the glaring exception for the goofy Jurassic Park-inspired Madison Square Garden sequence)was not it. Hopefully, they can do it right this time.

Testify on Cloverfield.

–J.

But this is just the opinion of one fan (albeit a fan who had Godzilla and Mothra as the toppers on his wedding cake)

–J.

–J.