Godzilla 2000 parents guide

Godzilla 2000 Parent Guide

See the monster in his homeland.

Overall C+

Driving around Japan with his young daughter (Mayu Suzuki) in a vehicle full of high-tech equipment, the pair observes Godzilla in hopes of understanding his motives. On the other hand, CCI (Crisis Control Intelligence) chief Katagiri (Hiroshi Abe) just wants Godzilla dead.

Release date August 18, 2000

Violence C+
Sexual Content A
Profanity B-
Substance Use B+

Why is Godzilla 2000 rated PG? The MPAA rated Godzilla 2000 PG for monster violence and mild language.

Run Time: 98 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Godzilla, originally a mutant resulting from nuclear radiation, premiered in a dark and serious Japanese movie in the early 1950’s, just a few years after two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. A couple of years ago, the Americans tried to make Godzilla their own, using a computerized monster as the star of their script. The millions the film made, despite its creative shortcomings, inspired Japan’s Toho Studios (Godzilla’s owners) to bring the monster back home.

But to sell an old story you need a new angle (especially if you can’t offer multi-million dollar effects). So writer Hiroshi Kashiwabara has given their rubber suited beast some er…“charm”. And according to distributor Columbia Tristar’s press release (quoting an unnamed source at “an important visual effects company”), the “charm” of the many campy Japanese Godzilla pictures is a result of “an agreement between the filmmaker and the audience to look past surface flaws.” It concludes, saying, “In America, we spend a fortune ... making something technically perfect but often empty in terms of its soul.”

While I wouldn’t describe the retro styled creature in Godzilla 2000 as enchanting, he does fascinate Shinoda (Takehiro Murata), head of the GPN (Godzilla Prediction Network). Driving around Japan with his young daughter (Mayu Suzuki) in a vehicle full of high-tech equipment, the pair observes the nuclear power plant eater in hopes of understanding his motives. Where as CCI (Crisis Control Intelligence) chief Katagiri (Hiroshi Abe) just wants Godzilla dead.

Meanwhile deep-sea divers inadvertently activate a hidden spacecraft that has been in hibernation for 6000 years, and human existence appears on the brink of destruction. (Yes, this is still the Godzilla movie.) Heading for downtown, the alien pilot perches atop skyscrapers (reminiscent of Independence Day) and wreaks havoc below. Now only an alliance with Godzilla can save mankind.

Technically, the cheesy effects, obvious miniature sets, and poor English dubbing, will help to offset most of the potential fear this monster flic may hold for children. As for soul, I suspect the feet of that well-worn rubber costume has more than this movie.

Directed by Takao Okawara. Starring Hiroshi Abe, Naomi Nishida, Takehiro Murata. Running time: 98 minutes. Theatrical release August 18, 2000. Updated

Godzilla 2000 Parents' Guide

What do you think accounts for the appeal of monster movies?

Learn more about the history of Godzilla.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Godzilla 2000 movie is September 9, 2014. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes:Godzilla 2000 (1999)
Release Date: 9 September 2014
Godzilla 2000 (which was actually produced in 1999), releases to home video (Blu-ray) with the following:
- GODZILLA 2000: the US Version (99 minutes)
- GODZILLA 2000: the Japanese versions (107 minutes)

Related home video titles:

If man against beast films appeal to you, check out our review of Godzilla (1998), Godzilla (2014) or the Jurassic Park Trilogy.