Synopsis:

Present day Japan. The GPN (Godzilla Prediction Network) is intent on predicting Godzilla's landfall and notifying the authorities beforehand in an effort to minimize human casualties and property damage. Their core beliefs establish that Godzilla is a natural phenomenon that is to be studied not destroyed. The CCI however has other plans for Godzilla. They believe Godzilla to be a menace and are determined to destroy him no matter the cost. Currently however, they are occupied with what appears to be a meteorite at the bottom of the Ogasawara trench in the Sea of Japan. What they don't realize is that the meteorite is actually an ancient alien that when awakened will try to conquer the Earth. The GPN and CCI will need to combine forces if they are to combat this otherworldly threat. Not too mention the ever-present threat of Godzilla rampaging through towns and cities. Ultimately, the showdown will be between Godzilla and the alien and what a showdown it is. In classic Toho style, Godzilla is back and with a vengeance! Not to be confused with Iguanazilla, This is the REAL GODZILLA! back on the scene more powerful and destructive than ever! All I can say is get ready for Godzilla 2000!

Audio/Video:

Audio effects wise including score and soundtrack elements, the audio for Godzilla 2000 is fabulous! The surround effects are pretty intense and the additional musical elements provided by the American crew are pretty fantastic themselves! Both Hatori's and Ifukube's scores are blaringly brilliant in this 5.1 Dolby Digital platform. The one major drawback for the film in audio terms is the film's . The film was directed by Takao Okawara. He did not however provide the commentary track. The track was presented by the "un-credited" American director of the film who merely "re-edited" the film and provided direction in both the audio "looping"-dubbing segments of the film. His comments on the lenghts of certain scenes and the lack of direction in others were highly offensive. As a fan of Godzilla, I would have preferred to hear the Director on this track as opposed to an editor. I found his comments to be in general poor taste regarding those instances and again would have preferred someone with a bit more information regarding the actual director's impetus and reasoning. Technically, the track is rich in background information regarding the whole filmmaking process. For that reason alone, the commentary track bears listening to. The film's video portion is incredibly clean. There were a couple of instances of pixellation (primarily when Godzilla is being viewed on the screens inside the GPN vehicle and again when he and Orga are fighting.) but, other than those moments the imagery was crystalline and quite beautiful to look at. The film is presented in 1:85.1 anamorphic widescreen.

Dubbing/Looping The film was looped from an American/English language script prepared for the film and "helped out" by the American team with ad-libs and cultural corrections. On the whole, the looping is not that bad. I prefer the original Japanese language track as opposed to the English loop but truthfully; the dub is not terribly bad. Dubbing/looping the difference? Evidently if there is no English language script, then the film is dubbed by approximating the language with the possible English equivalent. The looping then is done in the event an English language script is available. The voice actors then read the script as prepared by the originating studio. As looping jobs go, this one id decent enough to be enjoyable for the most part.

Menus:

The opening menu for the film is very nicely presented. With each selection from the menu, your choice is greeted with the firing of a missile into your selection. The balance of the menus are static but very colorful.

Extras:

In addition to the lame psuedo-director's commentary track, a 2-minute behind-the-scenes segment is included. For those who remember, this segment is actually the featurette that was web cast several months prior to the film's Japanese release. The quality is obviously much better. My only gripe is that the wealth of information that exists for this feature will never make it to an American issue of this film. Given the short-handed way in which the previous Heisei era Godzilla films have been treated, I should be thankful for the information provided. Well, it's a start but a sluggish one at best. Additionally, trailers for Emmerich's Iguanazilla, Anaconda and the American language trailer for G2K are included as well. The trailers for both the American godzilla and the Japanese Godzilla are both in 5.1/full frame and in pretty great shape. The Anaconda trailer is in 2.0 and full frame and showing signs of wear and tear. Lastly, bios are included for Godzilla and the latest actor to don the suit-Kitagawa.

Overall:

What do I think of this latest incarnation of Godzilla? Well, it's a vast improvement over the American butchery done in 1998. The artwork for the disc is the height of cheesiness and the lack of extras disturbs me greatly. The film is a return to the classic suitmation that made Godzilla fun in the first place. While the storyline may not be the best, it's still a great romp and a lot of fun to watch Godzilla do his thing. After Columbia Tri-Star released Godzilla in 1998, Toho couldn't sit still and let Godzilla's image be tarnished by what most fans felt was an insult to the lore and imagery of Godzilla. As a result, G2K was born 5 years earlier than the studios intended. Kind of like Star Trek 6 after Shatner's Star Trek 5 blunder. I have to admit, I still want that 2 disc region 4 edition that will boast an entire disc of extras much like the Heisei Godzilla Laserdiscs. Maybe one day, we'll get the treatment Godzilla deserves on an American release! Even with all its faults, I can't help but recommend it for the incredible audio and video treatment the film received. Additionally, it's Godzilla and it's a pretty cool film in all.