Rick:
I suspect many Cafe readers are
unfamiliar with the term "Kaijueiga." What does it mean and what is
its origin?
Miguel:
In Japanese, that would be loosely
translated as “monster film,” “Kaiju” essentially meaning “monster” and
“eiga”essentially meaning “film.” In the case of Godzilla and his ilk, there is
also the term “Daikaijueiga,” which means “Giant monster film.”
Rick: I've heard about the different "eras" of
Kaijueiga films. Can you define them for a novice like me?
Miguel:
The names of the eras actually come
from the reigning emperors of Japan, even if the years don’t completely fit.
The Showa Era, or the reign of Emperor Hirohito, is used to describe the first
16 Godzilla films from Gojira in 1954
to Terror of MechaGodzilla in 1975.
These are the films most Americans seem to remember when they think about
Godzilla, since many of them were brought to the USA, care of American
International Pictures. After the somber and metaphorical original film, the
rest of this series increasingly became marketed to children.
Hirohito’s son Akihito succeeded the throne in
1989, thus beginning the Heisei Era of Japan. Although the first of the reboot
Godzilla movies began in 1984, they are referred to as the Heisei Era for
purposes of convenience, and only one of these seven films was released before
1989 anyway. The original 1954 Gojira is
always the first film, but this series continues from there, completely
ignoring the rest of the Showa Era. The Heisei Era has the most continuity,
with recurring characters and references to events in previous films. This era
began with Godzilla 1984 and ended
with Godzilla Vs. Destroyah.
Finally, after the disastrous American Godzilla, the Millenium Series reboot
began with Godzilla 2000and ended (so
far) with Godzilla Final Wars in
2004. These six films (with only a couple of exceptions) reboot the series from
the first film with almost every new release. Other than Godzilla Final Wars, this is probably the least tongue-in-cheek of
the Godzilla Eras. Now, there is talk of a new American Godzilla film (cue me quaking in my boots).
Rick:
If I wanted to see one representative
film from each era, what would you recommend?
Miguel:
The 1954 Gojira, in its true uncut Japanese form, is a must for any era.
After that, I would say Mothra Vs.
Godzilla for the Showa Era, Godzilla
Vs. King Ghidorah for the Heisei Era, and Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack for
the Millenium Era.
Rick:
What was your first introduction to
Kaijueiga films?
Miguel:
My dad took me to see Godzilla 1985 (as it was called in the
US) when it was theatrically released. I’ve been hooked ever since, getting my
fix as a kid from daytime reruns and library rentals. Of course, this means
growing up with butchered American versions dubbed in English. When I was old
enough to get my first job, I started hunting down rare VHS copies of the
films. Believe it or not, the Heisei movies are still some of the hardest to
find!
Rick:
What are your three favorite Kaijueiga
films and why?
 |
| Biollante. |
Thank you so much for the interview. I obviously love talking about
giant monsters from Japan!
