Godzilla (1954 - 2004): Final Wars

2004 marked the 50th Anniversary of the long lasting Godzilla franchise and Toho Studios created possibly one of the best Godzilla films in the series. The movie, Godzilla: Final Wars, was directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and produced by Shogo Tomiyama [who has produced all of the films in the Millennium series after the unfortunate death of Tomoyuki Tanaka] and starred many actors from the classic Godzilla films along with Masahiro Matsuoka [a member of the Japanese band Tokio]. The story revolves around the Self Defense Force (SDF) which has an army of mutant people who have special physical abilities that make them excellent soldiers. Their war against the monsters was over and they trapped Godzilla in an iceberg long before. But then there is a sudden burst of monster attacks around the world which is suddenly interrupted by an alien race known as the Xillians (who first appearance in 1965's Great Monster War a.k.a Invasion of the Astro Monster) who claim to be peaceful but are actually manipulating the monsters and releasing them around the world to destroy civilization. Then the SDF team realize theres only one weapon that can stop the monsters: Godzilla. So the SDF team take the Gotengo (a ship first seen in the 1963 Toho movie Undersea Warship, released in the U.S. as Atragon) to Antarctica and resurrect Godzilla from its slumber. They lead Godzilla to each of the monsters which Godzilla quickly is able to defeat one by one and is lead finally to Tokyo with a final showdown with a new monster named Monster X and a really updated and badass Gigan. Gigan is then distracted by Mothra who later intervenes as Gigan is later destroyed by Mothra. While the monsters are fighting, the SDF team inside the Gotengo ship battle the Xillians in their Mothership. The Xillians are finally defeated as Godzilla takes on Monster X who then transforms into a four-legged three-headed behemoth known as Keizer Ghidorah. Godzilla then manages to defeat Keizer Ghidorah and walks back into the ocean and turns to the camera and gives on last roar as the title GODZILLA appears as the movie ends. The reviews that been split from positive to a mixed review amongst fans and critics. I thought that this movie was stylish, action-packed, and well executed. Many people complained about the many Matrix-styled action sequences but I actually enjoyed it. The story was like watching all 28 Godzilla films all in one movie which was excellent and they also added references from other Toho movies like the Gotengo ship and the giant asteroid named Gorath. In all, this was a great ending to the franchise, however it seems like the series ins't over yet. Toho stated that the character of Godzilla will retire and will have a possible 2014 release for its next movie. We shall wait and see what the Big G's next move is. 'Till then, we just have to wait.