FINAL WARS world premiere in Hollywood!!!

[kpa]

Toho just sent out VOL 1 of their FINAL WARS newsletter. It contained the following message:

"Special Information: we let you know the special information secretly. The world premiere of the movie will take place at the world's greatest theater in Hollywood. X-ite activity is increasing worldwide, which makes me happy... But, I have already said too much, will let you know Sept. 15th
more information, after it is approved."

I love this town!

[Angiru-San]

Woah, Youve got to be kidding me!?!?!?!?!?!

I dont know how I should react. This might hint towards a US release, but shouldnt this movie premere in the country of Godzillas Origin?

[Bruticus]

Why Hollywood? Is it because Toho's getting sick of their Japanese fan base? Maybe someone there is thinking, "Screw you Japan, America OWNS you!" :p

I almost wish I could make it, but I unfortunately live up in Canada. Guess I'll have to wait for the more 'mainstream' theatrical release in North America...*sighs*

[Baryonyx13]

Why Hollywood? Is it because Toho's getting sick of their Japanese fan base? Maybe someone there is thinking, "Screw you Japan, America OWNS you!" :p

I almost wish I could make it, but I unfortunately live up in Canada. Guess I'll have to wait for the more 'mainstream' theatrical release in North America...*sighs*
Eh, don't feel bad, I live about as far away (Florida).

But great news, almost garuntees a US theartrical release.

[kpa]

Shogo Tomiyama announced sometime back that Toho was considering having the world premier in the US. The thinking is that a big US premiere would generate a lot of publicity and interest for the movie in Japan and overseas.

Rumor had it that Toho was thinking to have the premiere in either New York or LA. I contacted my friends at the American Cinematheque (who hosted the "Godzilla 50th Anniversary Film Festival") and Sony and they both asked Toho to have the screening in LA. Now Toho has announced that's where it will be. :D

This does not guarantee a US release, but this does mean that Sony will see the movie before it opens in Japan (and in the company of hundreds of excited fans) so it greatly increases the chances we'll get a US release quickly and possibly theatrically as well.

[Cookson]

Well i hope that this means that the movie will be in theaters around the U.S.

[Varan101]

That's cool.

Wonder why I cannot access Monster Zero..

[baragon2005]

Wow. This would probably end up as a subbed version, right? Cause I'd DEFINATELY set aside the "Godzilla: Save the Earth" money just for this event.

'Course, I'd have to fly, which would mean saving lots of money.










:baragon:

[UltraGojira]

You know that I live in California!!! HOLLYWOOD ROCKS!!! The problem is that I was originally going to see GMMG in Hollywood, but I missed the showing. Well, NOT THIS TIME!!! This time, I'm going to BE THERE!!!


When is it BTW, KPA?

[Solar_Behemoth]

Oh God I hope the Godzilla: Final Wars movie is gonna be subtitled instead of dubbed!!!! :crazy:

If it is dubbed than the movie will get pissed on as usaul. One of the maim reasons why G2000 was such a hated movie by the general public is because of the terrible dialouge and fake acting.

[UltraGojira]

^ I bet it will be subbed...

[Zearatul]

Agreed, I was watching the Kiryu movie subbed after watching it dubbed and was amazed at how much cooler it was. I think they should release the movie in Vancouver!!! :p j/k

[kpa]

The print shown at the premiere will be subtitled.

[rodan70]

I wanna see this movie somewhere within 100 miles of me. I hope it will be a big release

[Excelsior]

Hello, Toho? How about some New York lovin'?

Whether or not it gets a mainstream US release, getting Sony into the mix makes a DVD release much more likely.

[Invictus]

Alright. Looks like I'm planning a road trip when this thing comes out. LA isn't that far from where I live. KPA post the info as soon as possible so everyone can start planning.

[Jet Jaguar]

This is one of those times when living in the Midwest can kinda suck....:(

[ALLOSAURZ]

Ditto. NOt only am I from Ohio but I am a broke college student and the movie will premier around the same time I have to take my exams. Looks like I am SOL. *crosses fingers for limited theatrical release in Columbus*

[Kaiju Artist]

*crosses fingers for limited theatrical release in Columbus*

Make that two...

[Bagoth]

Eh, don't feel bad, I live about as far away (Florida).

But great news, almost garuntees a US theartrical release.

Me two, and why are people so shocked. Toho said that they would release Godzilla:Final Wars worldwide. Off course living in Florida that kinda sucks for both Baryonyx and myself.

[King Gordy]

HEY! Maybe I could go because I don't live THAT far away from New York! :)

YEYYY!!!

[Mothraleo]

HEY! Maybe I could go because I don't live THAT far away from New York! :)

YEYYY!!!

Um... its not going to be in NY its in California. Anyway, I hope even for 2 days Final Wars makes it to duluth. Enough time for me to see it.

[Kaiju_Sensai]

And I'm stuck here in lonely ol' Illinois.

[Megabyte]

Looks like I'm skippin' work and skool that day. I never got to see G54 nor go to the G film festival because of those two, but nothing will stop me from going there!!! Unless I hit good ol' LA traffic :confused:

[Burkion]

There be times when being broke, and living in TN realy dose suck. This is one of those times.

[Trauma]

its only gonna be in california LA im guessing well that really sucks im in Seattle but all of my family lives in San Diego (near LA) so its time for a long 3 months of earning money for a plain trip.

[PyrasTerran]

Godamnit, I was hoping the premiere would be in NYC.. :(

[Raptor]

If anyone can provide a translation of this link (http://biz.knt.co.jp/ttc/godzilla) on the Godzilla Final Wars site, there seems to be a reference to Hollywood and shows a date of 11/29/04 with Godzilla Final Wars in what looks to be a schedule of some kind.

Armand Vaquer advises that "Godzilla: Final Wars is to have a premiere in Hollywood on that date but contrary to rumors, the theater has not been announced, although the Chinese Theater is a strong contender." The Egyptian is the theater usually associated with such events.

"The page LOOKS like a travel package ad. Note the photos of the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, along with other locations. Maybe Toho has a partner in offering a mini-vacation package for the event."

[Charles RB]

They're having the premier in Hollywood? Why there and not in the country the film was actually made in?

[Husnock]

*crosses fingers for limited theatrical release in Columbus*Make that three (I'm in CLeveland, but that's more than close enough).

They're having the premier in Hollywood? Why there and not in the country the film was actually made in?Publicity reasons, apparently...

[Flame]

Sony Is gonna get a good look at this movie and then they wont beable to keep their hands off it and would have to release it in America! Maybe sometime in January but I want to see it BEFORE then Nothing good ever happens in Kansas where I am trapped for ETERNITY!!!!!

[kpa]

Tonight, Toho issued a press release about festivities surrounding the world premiere screening of GODZILLA FINAL WARS in Hollywood. Adding to that great news, Henshin! Online has even more official and approved information than what was announced before.

Do you want to know about an additional GFW guest, how to order tickets for parade seats, or where exactly on the Walk of Fame Godzilla's star is going to be? Do you want to see a never-before-published photo from FINAL WARS?

If the answer is 'yes' (and it better be!) go to Henshin! Online now!http://www.henshinonline.com/

[ALLOSAURZ]

Awesome article and awesome pic Keith! Is it me or does GFW godzilla look more and more menacing in every new pic? I mean seriously this pic looks like it's straight out of G 54'. Notice also how it looks like he is destroying an antarctic military base also... Man this movie can't get here fast enough.

[Melkor]

Awesome article, Keith. Not only is it informative, but it made my day as well. :D And I agree with ALLOSAURZ, that is certainly an awesome picture of Godzilla, and probably my personal favorite so far. i have to ask, though, what is it exactly that godzilla is destroying? Again, thanks for the pic and the article!



Peace,



Melkor



:darklord:

[PyrasTerran]

Now to find a way to get to Cali.....

[Charles RB]

I still think it's weird that a Japanese movie featuring a Japanese cultural icon before he goes on hiatus is premiering outside of Japan. Cool picture though.

what is it exactly that godzilla is destroying?

Santa Claus' workshop. :D

[Jet Jaguar]

Great stuff,man

I think this is gonna be a Classic

[EternalMothra]

Great... California, lucky for all kaiju fans "again" in the western US.

[UltraGojira]

I wish there was some other way to get the tickets instead of calling, but I just can't find the light at the end of the tunnel...

[kpa]

Awesome article, Keith. Not only is it informative, but it made my day as well. :D

Thank you.

And I agree with ALLOSAURZ, that is certainly an awesome picture of Godzilla, and probably my personal favorite so far. i have to ask, though, what is it exactly that godzilla is destroying?

SPOILER:













It's a military/scientific complex built to keep an eye on the hibernating Godzilla. You can see they ran into a bit of a problem.....











Again, thanks for the pic and the article!



Peace,



Melkor



:darklord:

You're welcome; thanks for reading it!

[kpa]

I still think it's weird that a Japanese movie featuring a Japanese cultural icon before he goes on hiatus is premiering outside of Japan.

Interest in Godzilla is waning in Japan, so Toho is "thinking outside the box" this time out. The biggest hits in Japan are American movies so this is being handled like an American movie.

Besides, Godzilla has always had a strong connection with America as I pointed out in the Henshin! Online article. Things have just come full circle, IMO.

[Gojira2000]

Great news! great photos! Thanks Keith! I love Henshin!Online! Well, this made my day... :)

[Charles RB]

Interest in Godzilla is waning in Japan

Giving an American premier & focus for his last movie for a while, which is staffed with a whole load of old kaiju stars, is not going to stop interesting from waning. Might help interest wane.

Where's the evidence for waning interest though? All I've heard are the Tokyo SOS box office results, but that was still #3 at the Japanese box office (as I think Pyras has pointed out many times).

[kpa]

Giving an American premier & focus for his last movie for a while, which is staffed with a whole load of old kaiju stars, is not going to stop interesting from waning. Might help interest wane.

I have no idea what you're talking about, because it flies in the face of what's been happening with the Japanese box office the past few years. Toho is in Japan, they've been making these movies for 50 years, and they think this is the way to go. It may not make sense to you, but what they're trying to do is a smart business strategy.

You act like there's no publicity for this film in Japan. There have been the usual press conferences, publicity events, TV coverage, displays, festivals, and more that the new Godzilla film always gets. FINAL WARS will not be finished until 11/15 so it cannot be screened at the Tokyo International Film Festival (where the last few movies have premiered) which runs 10/23-10/31. Even so, there will still be a FINAL WARS ceremony showing clips from the movie at TIFF on 10/28. Toho is doing all the things they usually do in Japan... the big difference being the US premiere instead of the TIFF premiere.

Where's the evidence for waning interest though?

The evidence that interest is with attendance figures in Japan. With the exception of GMK, each new Godzilla film has sold significantly less tickets than the one before.

G2000 sold much less tickets than Toho was expecting and MEGAGUIRUS had the lowest attendance of any Godzilla film since the 1970s-- it almost caused Toho to pull the plug on the series. Things picked up when Kaneko and Hamtaro came aboard for GMK, which was the most popular of the Millennium films. Even though Hamtaro is still popular with kids in Japan, sales went down for the next two Godzilla films. GxMG earned about 2/3 as much as GMK and TOKYO SOS saw a sharp decrease in ticket sales from GxMG. It opened on more screens (298 to 267) but made much less during it's theatrical run(about 2/3 of GxMG's total). TOKYO SOS also sold approximately 700,000 less tickets than GMK did just two years before. That's a huge drop for Toho.

Japanese audiences love American movies... that's what tops the box office there 95% of the year. Toho is trying to get some of that interest for Godzilla. International press has been invited to the premiere and it will be promoted heavily in Japan... much more than the last few Godzilla films were. That's the opposite of causing "waning interest in Japan".

All I've heard are the Tokyo SOS box office results, but that was still #3 at the Japanese box office (as I think Pyras has pointed out many times).

TOKYO SOS was "3 in a sluggish holiday season where most Japanese films bombed. It made about $100 million dollars less than the #2 film, America's FINDING NEMO and $110 million less than the #1, America's Japnese tale THE LAST SAMURAI. That's hardly proof of some great success for TOKYO SOS, but it does add evidence to why Toho wants an "American feel" to FINAL WARS... copy what sells with Japanese audiences.

[Omega17]

Sounds Grand©™! I wish I could be there. Great artical kpa!

[Charles RB]

Toho is in Japan, they've been making these movies for 50 years, and they think this is the way to go.

And? How many films have bombed in America that were made by long-time American film companies? Toho's not infallible.

The evidence that interest is with attendance figures in Japan. With the exception of GMK, each new Godzilla film has sold significantly less tickets than the one before.

G2000 is of debatable quality- fans seem split over how good it is. That would have had some impact on its Japanese sales, and also on GXM- to quote Toho Kingdom, "dissapointed movie goers probably skipped the next entry". After all, if the last movie didn't look that good and the next looks like more of the same (exact same costume et al), that won't inspire improved box office.

Tokyo SOS suffered just like every other film in Japan because of heavy competition- since it did better than all the rest despite said competition, that hints there is some interest in Godzilla or at least in Mothra (or both together).

Japanese audiences love American movies... that's what tops the box office there 95% of the year.

The British audiences love American movies too, but Shaun Of The Dead still premiered in Britain just like with near every other British film made.

And the big factors in American film success are higher budgets and heavy marketing.

International press has been invited to the premiere and it will be promoted heavily in Japan... much more than the last few Godzilla films were.

Well, there's your answer for part of the declining sales figures. If they'd promoted their last few films to the same extent, they'd have seen higher returns on that.

it does add evidence to why Toho wants an "American feel" to FINAL WARS... copy what sells with Japanese audiences.

Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are two of the highest grossing films in Japanese history- there's not much of an "American feel" in those. (Granted, Miyazaki's name brings in the punters but again, his animations don't have much of an "American feel" to them)

Finding Nemo- did that do well because of an "American feel" or because it's a movie put out by Disney, heavily marketed, created by a company that had multiple CGI-animation box office hits in the past and was aimed at an all-age audience with colourful & varied characters? I'd say it was the latter over the former.

[Shin lvl2 Goji]

It makes perfect sense for Toho to be doing what they're doing. Premiering it in America doesn't just limit it to Japan with only the cult fan following seeing it through most likely bootlegs or some other unofficial way. Instead they're going to outright release it for everyone or at least promote it for everyone, it's up to Sony to get it here. And I don't see them turning it down for a minute really.This is clearly aiming it for the world and Toho's definitely doing the right thing here. They're going more mainstream and trying to get out of the ditch they've dug themselves into don't forget.

[Charles RB]

Instead they're going to outright release it for everyone or at least promote it for everyone, it's up to Sony to get it here. And I don't see them turning it down for a minute really.

Why not? So far they've seemed content since G2000 to release all the new films on DVD over theatrical release.

This is clearly aiming it for the world

How much of the world really wants to see Final Wars? I can't see it doing very well in, say, the UK.

They're going more mainstream

Does the Western mainstream really give a crap about giant monster films, especially ones which are still done by guys in suits? The big selling point for Final Wars is that large numbers of monsters fighting worldwide- is that going to appeal to the mainstream or a cult audience? And with all the attempted mainstream touches made, will the film appeal to a wider cult audience i.e. beyond G-fandom? Even people in G-fandom haven't been that happy about some of the more mainstream touches and we're the ones that are the most interested in it (mainly due to the masses of kaiju)!

and trying to get out of the ditch they've dug themselves into

What ditch would that be?

[Figment]

With the popularity of anime and manga here in the states along with films inspired from Japanese horror movies like The Grudge and The Ring, Final Wars may have a good chance of being successful here.

[kpa]

And? How many films have bombed in America that were made by long-time American film companies? Toho's not infallible.

I never said they weren't. I am saying they they've made and marketed these films (and many others since they're one of the biggest distributors in Japan) for 50 years and I'd say that gives a certain amount of experience in this area. They see interst in the series dwindling and decided to shake things up with a joint American and Japanese publicity campaign.Will it work? I don't know, but I think its smart of them to do things to try something different and I understand their reasons for doing so.

G2000 is of debatable quality- fans seem split over how good it is. That would have had some impact on its Japanese sales,

Both here and in Japan, SPACE GODZILLA is generally considered the worst of the modern Godzilla films. It still did very good business.... much better than G2000, which was just as heavily advertised and was promoted as the big "return" movie. The big difference was that SPACE was released during a growing wave of interest in the series while G2000 was released as interest was falling.

and also on GXM- to quote Toho Kingdom, "dissapointed movie goers probably skipped the next entry". After all, if the last movie didn't look that good and the next looks like more of the same (exact same costume et al), that won't inspire improved box office.

So, going completely with Toho Kingdom's theory (Arbok did say "probably" there) that means the hardcore fans who support every Godzilla movie are not enough to make the movies profitable. Toho needs to drum up mainstream interest, and that's what they're trying to do here.

Tokyo SOS suffered just like every other film in Japan because of heavy competition-

Every Godzilla film since 1984 was released during the December holiday season so they are always dealing with heavy competition. That's the bone of the big movie season's in Japan so GMK and GxMG both had had HARRY POTTER movies, GODZILLA 1985 went up against GHOSTBUSTERS and GREMLINS, year in and year out this happened. Japanese audiences turned out for the American blockbusters but also supported Godzilla enough to make most of the films successsful. That's changed in the last few years. If there was still the same interest in Godzilla, ticket sales wouldn't have dropped for 4 out the past 5 films.

since it did better than all the rest despite said competition, that hints there is some interest in Godzilla or at least in Mothra (or both together).

Some interest... yes. But Toho can't count on "some interest" if they want Godzilla to be a financially viable series unless they continue to cut the budget as they did for GxM, then again for GxMG and TOKYO SOS.

The British audiences love American movies too, but Shaun Of The Dead still premiered in Britain just like with near every other British film made.

Good analogy. I didn't realize SHAUN was part of a series that had a 50-year connection to America.

And the big factors in American film success are higher budgets and heavy marketing.

Well, there's your answer for part of the declining sales figures. If they'd promoted their last few films to the same extent, they'd have seen higher returns on that.

No, that's your answer. I've heard again and again from friends who live in Japan (some of whom work in the Japanese film industry) and people who regularly visit Japan that there's not much interest in Godzilla these days... the character is considered out of date, old news, and passe (GMK makes several references/jokes to this because its the common view in Japan). Adults think its kiddie stuff and kids are much more interested in hero shows like Ultraman and Kamen Rider and anime(why do you think the last few films were paired with Hamtaro?). Toho could promote the movies to the nth degree and that wouldn't make most moviegoers more interested...G2000 and GxM were both heavily promoted in Japan and did not drum up much excitement.

Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are two of the highest grossing films in Japanese history- there's not much of an "American feel" in those. (Granted, Miyazaki's name brings in the punters but again, his animations don't have much of an "American feel" to them)

Once again, you're arguing a case I didn't make. I said Toho wants an "American feel" to FINAL WARS... I never said only films with an American feel are successful in Japan. American movies are generally the biggest draws in Japan and that's what Toho is going for with this specific case, not for all films at all times.

The Studio Ghibli films have a MUCH wider audience in Japan than Godzilla does... that's why they're the only domestic films to regularly rake in US-level box office. There's a lot of interest in the Miyazaki's work in Japan, something there's not with Godzilla at this time. Toho also distributes the Miyazaki films and sees them as different products with different audiences... they're not going to handle them the same way.

Finding Nemo- did that do well because of an "American feel" or because it's a movie put out by Disney, heavily marketed, created by a company that had multiple CGI-animation box office hits in the past and was aimed at an all-age audience with colourful & varied characters? I'd say it was the latter over the former.

NEMO didn't need create an "American Feel"-- its already an American Disney movie and the vast majority of moviegoers recognize it as that. American films have been the biggest moneymakers in Japan for nearly 30 years, Japanese audiences know this, and Toho knows this.

Your description of Disney does create an interesting comparison to Toho though: In the US, TREASURE PLANET, BROTHER BEAR, and HOME ON THE RANGE put out by Disney, heavily marketed, created by a company that had multiple animation box office hits in the past and was aimed at an all-age audience with colourful & varied characters. They all tanked at the box office and Disney has annouinced they will stop doing 2D movies. Why? People's taste had changed and the masses weren't interested in 2D anymore. All the advertising in the world didn't change that, and it couldn't be blamed on poor marketing.

[Charles RB]

the character is considered out of date, old news, and passe

If that's the big problem, then I don't think Final Wars is going to help him much. The big selling point for GFW is the loads of returning old monsters and battles- how'll that help him with the "out of date" perception?

[PyrasTerran]

Your description of Disney does create an interesting comparison to Toho though: In the US, TREASURE PLANET, BROTHER BEAR, and HOME ON THE RANGE put out by Disney, heavily marketed, created by a company that had multiple animation box office hits in the past and was aimed at an all-age audience with colourful & varied characters. They all tanked at the box office and Disney has annouinced they will stop doing 2D movies. Why? People's taste had changed and the masses weren't interested in 2D anymore. All the advertising in the world didn't change that, and it couldn't be blamed on poor marketing.

But it can be blamed for them being terrible movies overall. :p

Brother Bear and Home on the Range, in my opinion, are some of the worst, if not the worst animated films Disney has come out with. BB was so poorly made and drawn, and HotR's total lock-on to little kids didn't help it either. And Treasure Planet simply felt too generic. They should have stuck with films like Lilo & Stitch, and The Emperor's New Groove, movies that appeal to the teen audience as well as kids and some adults. I think it's unargueable that teens go to watch movies more than any little kids do(who must go with adults), so they can make up for alot of movie sales.

[PyrasTerran]

If that's the big problem, then I don't think Final Wars is going to help him much. The big selling point for GFW is the loads of returning old monsters and battles- how'll that help him with the "out of date" perception?

That's not just it. There's the American influence in music(Canadian for the theme song), in the title credits, there are even many American actors in it. Then there's the high-speed action sequences that involve humans, which would appeal to many action fans, and the fact that the battles are being done at a much faster pace, trying to keep away from the slow and cumbersome days of old. Just because there are returning monsters doesn't mean it's trying to retain the shoddy values of yesteryear. This is a unique film in the Godzilla series, that stands out as much as GMK in its uniqueness. It's unique because it has a heavy American influence, which hasn't been done that much in Godzilla since the American Godzilla(which was a failure in some aspects).

[Charles RB]

This is a unique film in the Godzilla series, that stands out as much as GMK in its uniqueness. It's unique because it has a heavy American influence, which hasn't been done that much in Godzilla since the American Godzilla(which was a failure in some aspects).

There's a problem right there- the last Godzilla movie trying something like this was a pretty naff movie. If the American influences in GFW don't work, the movie gets damaged and that'll count against bringing Godzilla back (which we all know will happen somewhen).

And there's always the risk that people will end up going "oh look, Godzilla's trying to seem cool" and avoid it. If Godzilla has the out-of-date stigma, can trying to emulate Hollywood help or will it just look stupid to the mainstream?

(There's also the fact the movie needs to be good- if it's not, the massive international focus on the premier will backfire. Nobody likes critics saying "hey, that sucked!".)

[Baran-no-goji]

What I really want to know is if the scene involving the cop and the pimp will stop the movie dead cold. The scripted scene had so many f-words it's difficult NOT to wonder how the audience is going to react, especially an American audience with possible children attending the premier. Also, I think many will laugh at Sum 41's music. I told friends about this particular G-film and they just laughed at the inclusion of Sum 41.

[Charles RB]

The scripted scene had so many f-words it's difficult NOT to wonder how the audience is going to react, especially an American audience with possible children attending the premier.

They'll probably edit the swearing out.

[Baran-no-goji]

They'll probably edit the swearing out.
Probably but it just churns and twists my stomach. Why do they need harcore profanity? I can't think of a reasonable example so I'll use Lord of The Rings, what if a hobbit and an elf just started swearing back and forth. It just adds no purpose and it just frustrates the **** out of me that there's more than 10 f-words in a Godzilla movie in a scene that should last under a minute. I just want to know why. It sounds unimportant, but i have lost a great deal of respect from Ryuhei Kitamura and Shogo Tomiyama. It just makes me cringe more than anything. Not even Yoshimitsu Banno, the creator of hedora can come up with something more wrongheaded and offensive.

[Project Pimp]

Probably but it just churns and twists my stomach. Why do they need harcore profanity? I can't think of a reasonable example so I'll use Lord of The Rings, what if a hobbit and an elf just started swearing back and forth. It just adds no purpose and it just frustrates the **** out of me that there's more than 10 f-words in a Godzilla movie in a scene that should last under a minute. I just want to know why. It sounds unimportant, but i have lost a great deal of respect from Ryuhei Kitamura and Shogo Tomiyama. It just makes me cringe more than anything. Not even Yoshimitsu Banno, the creator of hedora can come up with something more wrongheaded and offensive.

Dude, for the last time, there is no equilavent for such words in the Japanese language, so to them, they do not get the full scope of how "harsh" it can sound. Besides, GFW is trying to emulate Hollywood films to a very large extent, so you have your own country to blame.

[Charles RB]

Why do they need harcore profanity?

Well, if I saw a huge monster tearing through a city towards me, I'd use hardcore profanity! :D

[EternalMothra]

Well, if I saw a huge monster tearing through a city towards me, I'd use hardcore profanity! :D
Yeah, I think everyone would be doing that if they were in that sort of trouble.

[Figment]

But it can be blamed for them being terrible movies overall. :p

Brother Bear and Home on the Range, in my opinion, are some of the worst, if not the worst animated films Disney has come out with. BB was so poorly made and drawn, and HotR's total lock-on to little kids didn't help it either. And Treasure Planet simply felt too generic. They should have stuck with films like Lilo & Stitch, and The Emperor's New Groove, movies that appeal to the teen audience as well as kids and some adults. I think it's unargueable that teens go to watch movies more than any little kids do(who must go with adults), so they can make up for alot of movie sales. sigh... RANT TIME!
Brother Bear wasn't that bad... and as for the abondonment of traditional animation, I think the films by Pixar do well because of story and not pretty graphics and here's a interesting fact: pixar is considering expanding into traditional animation. Like many Disney fans, I blame the poorness of recent films on Disney management and the pencil pushers and focus groups and stuff like that. Disney has been on the decline ever since Frank Wells, Michael Eisner's partner, died and balance was lost. For if you look back to Walt's days, it took two to run the company. Walt and Roy were a fine balance of creative vision and economic strategy. The same was for Frank Wells and Michael Eisner, and there was all sorts of neat stuff that came in their era like the Third Golden age of Disney Animation(First was Snow White up to Bambi, the second was from Cinderella to Jungle Book), the Disney MGM Studios, and all sorts of neat stuff put out at this time. Eisner's lost his way since then and things are getting lame like Treasure Planet, the massive amount of cheapquels, excessive amounts of shops in the parks, poorly thought out replacements to older attractions and the elimination of some of the classic characters in these rides like Dreamfinder or Mr.Toad. The company changed from the pursuit of quality family entertainment to the pursuit of the money in your wallet. Because animation under Eisner has become cheaper and lower in quality. Focus groups and attempts to keep things "hip" have been ruining the magic. Eisner did good stuff in the past, but he's lost his creative edge and it's time for someone new. Steve Jobs and/or John Lasseter for the new Chairman and CEO.

[PyrasTerran]

Brother Bear wasn't that bad...

The animation was actually poorer than that of Treasure Planet. At times the animated characters shifted/slided/shook in place of the CGI backgrounds. It's as if the budget was cut in half. The music was horrible, and there was little to no true emotion.

and as for the abondonment of traditional animation, I think the films by Pixar do well because of story and not pretty graphics

Preach it.

pixar is considering expanding into traditional animation.

w00t w00t

[Saruman]

^^

The thing that people are missing with Disney though, is that the early Disney films were not targeted at kids, there target audience was adults. It really wasn't until "The Little Mermaid" that they really went after kids for their target audience. That is what I believe hurt Disney the most. Once you start targeting kids as your primary audience, the stories and characters have to be of a level that kids will understand them. This made the stories and characters suffer for the most part, especially when you compare them to the earlier movies. Then it also didn't help that Disney ripped off "Jungle Emperor Leo" and remade it calling it "The Lion King."

This same problem exists with Godzilla movies. Look at the first 5 Godzilla movies, they were great films and they weren't targeted at kids. Then look what happens after that fifth film, the target audience changes to kids and the movies start to really suffer.

The Heisei series did the same thing. The first 2 films are great, the best part of the entire Heisei series. But after that the target audience again changed to kids and all the films suffered for it.

The Millennium series has been a little more adult orientated, but they still packaged the films with Hamtaro to apeal to kids.

This is Toho's problem right now. I look at GFW and I don't see WHO they are targeting this movie for. Some aspects of it seem more suited for small kids, others for teens, then still others for adults. It's almost like they don't know who they are trying to make their primary audience for this film, and that could really end up hurting it in the long run. You can't please everyone, and you never will, so your pretty much asking for trouble by trying to make a movie that is going to appeal to everyone. I hope the movie does really well, but I am not going to be suprised if it doesn't.

[Kaiju Fan]

Then it also didn't help that Disney ripped off "Jungle Emperor Leo" and remade it calling it "The Lion King."


I thought they ripped off "Kimba the White Lion", or are the two the same thing?

[Raptor]

GODZILLA'S COMING! Back on topic, folks? ;)

[Charles RB]

That is what I believe hurt Disney the most. Once you start targeting kids as your primary audience, the stories and characters have to be of a level that kids will understand them.

It's worse than that- you've got to be at that level and be viewed as suitable by the parents. When I was a kiddie, I liked Robin Jarvis books- that guy wrote Gothic fantasy epics for children, pitting plucky kids, old women and talking animals against hideously merciless evil (torture, mass murder and corpse desecration ahoy!). He'd never get away with that in movies because the parents come along to the children's movies and would make a fuss.

I look at GFW and I don't see WHO they are targeting this movie for. Some aspects of it seem more suited for small kids, others for teens, then still others for adults.

I think they're trying to appeal to as many different groups as possible. Which, as you say, is risky because more often than not that backfires. Few people (Pixar's one of them) can manage a mass-appeal film across all ages. Final Wars... well, I dunno if it can manage that.

Which is a pity because of this film turns out to mess, that'll effect its performance at the box office and that effects if/when Godzilla makes his comeback. Look at the nine year gap between Terror Of MechaGodzilla and Return of Godzilla! (And you'd think a comeback movie would be a smarter target for an attempted mainstream breakout film than the final of a series. If Final Wars does bring in some more people, what are you going to sell to them now Godzilla's not around anymore?)

I thought they ripped off "Kimba the White Lion", or are the two the same thing?
Same thing- Leo's the Japanese name, Kimba's the dub name.

[Super Angillas]

You know what you get when you dumb things down for kids? Dumb Kids.

[Kaiju Fan]

Same thing- Leo's the Japanese name, Kimba's the dub name.

Ahh, ok. You know what the sad thing is? Disney only waited a month until after the creator of Kimba/Leo had passed away before proceeding to rip off both that and Hamlet for it's movie. It really is sad how far Disney has fallen over the past decade or two. Anyway, yes, back on topic! Final Wars is premering in about a month or so, I personally can't wait, if for nothing else but sheer curiousity as to how it's going to turn out.

[Kaiju_Sensai]

I still can't believe it. Its almost exactly ONE MONTH TILL FINAL WARS!!!!!! It gives me shivers just thinking about it. Come on Tristar, seeing GFW at the theater could just be the biggest event in my young life. Please give me Final Wars. Kaiju Sensai want Final Wars! I hope Toho adds the real trailer to their website sometime soon. This.....is.....gonna.....ROCK!

[kpa]

A small update to last week's article, including photos of the reported sight for the star ceremony and the names of a few additional Toho guests, is now up on Henshin! Online http://www.henshinonline.com/

[Shin lvl2 Goji]

(This is for the event in Oregon) "To add to the excitement, not only will G:STE have its premiere at the festival in the form of a PlayStation 2 tournament, but all the action will be projected on one of the theatre's three screens!"

Too bad I wouldn't be able to go but that would definitely be something to see.

[kpa]

Several of the filmmakers from GODZILLA FINAL WARS will be attending the world premiere in Hollywood. At this time, the confirmed list includes producer Shogo Tomiyama, director Ryuhei Kitamura, special effects director Eiichi Asada, lead actors Masahiro Matsuoka, Rei Kikukawa and Don Frye, title designer Kyle Cooper, monster maker Shinichi Wakasa, head pyrotechnician Mamoru Kume, and Godzilla suit actor/monster fight choreographer Tsutomu Kitagawa. Not too shabby, I'd say.

[Mothraleo]

D.A.M. I'd love to get my Versus DVD cover signed by Kitamura :laugh: Although more and likely I wouldn't get it even if I went :laugh: