We often take the easy way out and just call Godzilla a monster movie, or kaiju in Japanese. But trying to classify it as either science fiction or horror forces an examination the specific elements that define the two genres. You add a level of difficulty if you lump in all the sequels. The staff at The Dissolve had a roundtable discussion on the question, and for simplicity’s sake, they mainly focused on the original 1954 version of Godzilla (although the sequels are discussed as well). And as is inevitable, Godzilla is compared to the 1933 movie King Kong, which also has its share of sequels. Tasha said,
On his own, King Kong is a tragic symbol of elemental nature, tamed, turned into a sideshow, and ultimately destroyed for rebelling against encroaching civilization. Godzilla is a more flexible symbol for whatever the age requires. But put them together and make them fight, and they stop being resonant, individualistic symbols, and start being kids’ toys being whanged against each other in a never-ending, not particularly weighty battle for supremacy. On his own, Godzilla is chilling; once Mothra, Rodan, Ghidorah, Gamera, and all the other goofiness comes into play, being a giant monster isn’t particularly special anymore.
The discussion ranges far and wide to settle the question, and in the end, makes me want to watch the 1954 film Gojira again before seeing the new Godzilla movie that will debut in theaters this coming Friday. -via Digg
Comments (2)
Sure, they could try to have a shield up at all times to guard against knives in the back and bullets from a distance, but that would be rather draining... and the first time a wizard "murders" an entire mob of angry anti-magic activists that got too close and threatening, it'll justify further anti-magic thinking throughout the general public, regardless of how many cancers some wizards cure.
Worst case scenario if wizards go around murdering anyone who openly persecutes them, which the comic clearly advocates, government agencies could step in on the side of the anti-magic majority, at which point the wizards not only have to shield themselves and their homes against knives and bullets, they have to shield against drone strikes and missile strikes...
It seems to me like a few memory wipes here and there and generally hiding would be much easier. Certainly easier than trying to form a one-world government that subjugates all of humanity under the vicious rule of a pack of vengeful wizards that will smite anyone who dares speak up against them. Including their own. Hermione, and those like her, would probably try to start a revolution, but they'd likely be wiped out. The whole regime sounds an awful lot like how Voldemort and crew operated...
At which point, you have to wonder if any "cancer curing" wizards would be around in any significant number. Voldemort didn't seem like the "cancer curing" type, but he definitely seemed like the "rule the world with a fiery fist" type.