Godzilla: Final Wars
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the series, Godzilla: Final Wars has been touted by Toho Pictures as not only the most spectacular Godzilla film ever, but the last in the hugely popular series. From the incendiary Kyle Cooper-designed opening title sequence to the outrageously frenzied climax, this is a wild ride.
20XX. Paris, New York, Sydney, Shanghai... Ten monsters wreak terrible destruction across the globe. Although the United Nations summons the Earth Defence Force to fight back, its efforts seem doomed - until the arrival of the alien 'Xiliens'. The Xiliens rescue the human race, but their own motives are less than pure. And even they haven't counted on the arrival of Godzilla...
Boasting an unforgettable mix of 'traditional' rubber-suit effects and the best that 2005 has to offer, Godzilla: Final Wars is a rampaging triumph.
"Kitamura's film may well be the single most kinetic, over-the-top, and delightfully unhinged entry in the 28 film series, a worthy way to not only celebrate 50 years of pop culture triumph, but also a fitting final chapter." - aintitcool.com
D Ryuhei Kitamura P Shogo Tomiyama S Isao Kiriyama, Ryuhei Kitamura WS Toho Pictures Inc. L Japanese w/English subtitles TD 35mm/ col/2004/124mins
Ryuhei Kitamura was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1969. His films include Heat After Dark (1996), Versus (2000), Alive (2002), Jam Films (MIFF 03, co-dir.), Azumi (MIFF 04).