Lexi Webster
With over 30 films, the Godzilla franchise has gone through several distinct phases since its introduction in 1954. The first film, directed by Ishirō Honda, explored the lingering trauma of the nuclear bomb. The latest Godzilla film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, features a battle between Godzilla and an alien-like monster in Rome, with considerable damage to landmarks and buildings. In Australia, the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) provides reviews of Godzilla films, including Godzilla Minus One and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which include details on the classification by the Australian Government Classification Board and associated consumer advice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Godzilla movie reviewed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) | Godzilla Minus One, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire |
| Godzilla Minus One plot | A postwar Japan struggling against the emergence of a giant monster |
| Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire plot | Kong living in Hollow Earth, Godzilla roaming the world |
| Godzilla Minus One classification | Rated by the Australian Government Classification Board |
| Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire classification | Rated by the Australian Government Classification Board |
| Godzilla Minus One violence | Godzilla bites the heads off some men, crushes others, eats some men, flings some men and crushes others with his tail |
| Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire violence | Kong rips the leader of a pack of savage-looking, prehistoric carnivores that chase him in half and eats it |
| Godzilla Minus One themes | War, nightmares, shame, loss of loved ones, destruction, death |
| Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire themes | Crime, suicide, drug and alcohol dependence, death, serious illness, family breakdown, death or separation from a parent, animal distress or cruelty to animals, children as victims, natural disasters, racism, loneliness, loss of family and identity, cruelty, subjugation, vengeance |
| Godzilla Minus One rating | M (Mature audiences 15 years and over) |
| Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire rating | PG (Parental guidance is recommended for young viewers) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Godzilla Minus One's rating in Australia
The Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) has completed a review of the movie Godzilla Minus One. The review contains details about the movie's classification by the Australian Government Classification Board and associated consumer advice.
Godzilla Minus One is a 2023 film that explores a very human story of postwar Japan struggling against the emergence of a giant monster. It is faithful to the franchise's roots, with the first film released in 1954 while the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were still fresh in the minds of the Japanese people. Godzilla is depicted as a prehistoric monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation, serving as a tragic figure and a symbol of the potential consequences of atomic warfare.
The film features violent content, including scenes where Godzilla explodes things near an airfield, bites the heads off men, crushes them, and throws them. There are also internal struggles faced by the character Shikishima, who battles nightmares and shame from his past experiences with Godzilla.
While the ACCM provides a review of Godzilla Minus One, the text does not explicitly state the rating given to the film in Australia. The review mentions that the movie contains details about its classification by the Australian Government Classification Board, but the specific rating is not mentioned. It is important to refer to the official Australian Government Classification Board sources for the accurate and up-to-date rating of Godzilla Minus One in Australia.
Exploring Australia: Finding Red Kangaroos in Their Natural Habitat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Godzilla's violence in Australia
The Godzilla franchise has been a source of entertainment for audiences worldwide, but its depiction of violence has been a subject of discussion and concern, especially in Australia. The Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) has reviewed several Godzilla films to help parents find age-appropriate content for their children.
Godzilla Minus One, for example, features intense violence. In one scene, Godzilla attacks an airbase, destroying planes and brutally killing mechanics. The film also shows Godzilla biting the heads off men, crushing them with his tail, and eating them. This graphic content can desensitise children to violence and distort their perception of its prevalence in the real world. Repeated exposure to such content can reinforce the message that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution.
The Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the fifth instalment in the MonsterVerse series, also contains violent scenes. In one instance, Godzilla beats and crushes an alien-like monster attacking Rome, causing significant damage to landmarks and buildings. The film also depicts Kong tearing another creature in half and consuming its flesh. While the film offers strong female role models, children may be adversely affected by its themes of death, animal cruelty, and violence.
Godzilla: Final Wars portrays Godzilla annihilating the monster Zilla and the Sydney Opera House with his atomic breath. This depiction of Godzilla's destructive power in a populated city can be disturbing for younger audiences.
The impact of Godzilla's violence in Australia is evident through the ACCM reviews. Parents can utilise these reviews to make informed decisions about their children's media consumption, ensuring their well-being and a healthier understanding of violence.
Filipinos' Guide to Australian Permanent Residency
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![TAMASHII NATIONS - Godzilla - Godzilla [1954] 70th Anniversary Special ver., Bandai Spirits S.H.MonsterArts Action Figure](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IZIFyjztL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Godzilla vs. Kong: The New Empire's rating in Australia
The Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) reviewed Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on 8 April 2024. The review provides details about the movie's classification by the Australian Government Classification Board.
The movie contains several violent scenes. Savage-looking, prehistoric carnivores chase Kong through Hollow Earth, attempting to eat him. Kong rips the leader of the carnivores in half, and green guts and slime pour over him. Kong then rips the leg off one of the creatures he killed and begins to eat it. Godzilla also beats and crushes an alien-like monster that is attacking Rome. As the two creatures battle each other, there is considerable damage to landmarks and buildings, and people run for their lives in terror. Godzilla blasts the creature with a powerful charge, and it explodes, shooting yellow goo everywhere.
Children and adolescents may react adversely to the movie's themes of crime, suicide, drug and alcohol dependence, death, serious illness, family breakdown, death or separation from a parent, animal distress or cruelty to animals, children as victims, natural disasters, and racism. Research shows that children are at risk of learning that violence is an acceptable means of conflict resolution when violence is glamourised, performed by an attractive hero, and has few real-life consequences.
Aussie Hospitality: The Post-Dining Experience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Godzilla's different eras
The Godzilla film series is broken into several distinct eras, each reflecting a characteristic style and corresponding to the eras used to classify all kaiju eiga (monster movies) in Japan. The eras are named after the Japanese emperors during production, except for the third, which is called the Millennium era as it has a different style and storyline from the second era, despite having the same emperor.
Showa Era
The first era, which covers the 15 titles released between 1954 and 1975, is known as the Showa era. These kaiju films are marked by their dramatic shift in tone, from the sombre and haunting original to the wonderfully ludicrous “Godzilla vs. Hedorah.” The original Godzilla film was an allegory for the effects of nuclear weapons and was inspired by the success of the 1952 re-release of King Kong and The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953). The first Godzilla portrayed the monster as a towering behemoth, whose lumbering gait signals the inexorable approach of death and destruction.
Heisei Era
The second era, known as the Heisei era, includes the seven titles released between 1984 and 1995. These films feature a greater sense of narrative continuity and ask complex philosophical questions about science and humanity. The Heisei films are set in a single, continuous timeline that brings Godzilla back as a destructive force of nature that is feared by humans. During this era, Godzilla also adopted a juvenile member of his species, dubbed Godzilla Junior, allowing for another version of Godzilla to live on.
Millennium Era
The third era, the Millennium series, includes the six titles released between 1999 and 2004. The majority of these films are standalone stories, much like an anthology series. Instead of bringing back Godzilla’s son from the Heisei era, Toho decided to start over with an all-new incarnation. This era introduced Godzilla’s dog-like adversary Anguirus, who would go on to become one of the most beloved beasts in the series.
Witchetty Grubs: Australia's Tasty Treats and Their Habitat
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Godzilla's worst movies
In Australia, the Godzilla films have typically been rated M or PG, indicating that they may not be suitable for young children due to sci-fi violence and monster themes. Now, let's take a look at some of Godzilla's worst-received movies:
While Godzilla, the King of the Monsters, has had a plethora of successful films, there have been a few notable misses in the franchise. Some of Godzilla's worst movies, according to critics and fan reception, include:
Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
"Godzilla vs. Megaguirus" is often considered one of the weaker entries in the Millennium series. The film introduces the creature Megaguirus, a giant dragonfly-like creature with a thirst for Godzilla's blood. The human plot centres on time-travel experiments, featuring an insect-like creature from the future. Critics panned the film for its unengaging story and lacklustre special effects, particularly the overuse of CGI, which was not up to the standards set by previous Godzilla films.
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla (1994)
"Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla" is remembered for its confusing and convoluted plot. The film introduces SpaceGodzilla, a crystalline extraterrestrial clone of Godzilla, who arrives on Earth to challenge the King of the Monsters. The human story involves a team of psychic teenagers trying to communicate with Godzilla. The movie was criticised for its poor execution, uninteresting characters, and the underutilisation of Godzilla himself, who takes a back seat to the psychic teens for much of the film.
Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973)
"Godzilla vs. Megalon" is often regarded as one of the lowest points in the franchise. The film features the introduction of Megalon, a beetle-like creature controlled by the Seatopians, an underwater civilisation seeking revenge on the surface world. The story also includes Jet Jaguar, a humanoid robot with size-changing abilities. Critics and fans alike have derided the movie for its poor production values, laughable special effects, and a forgettable story.
Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
While "Godzilla: Final Wars" has its fans, it is also considered a missed opportunity by many. The film, intended to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the franchise, features an ensemble of monsters and aliens, with Godzilla taking on a more heroic role. However, the movie was criticised for its incoherent plot, excessive use of stock footage, and the underutilisation of the monster battles, which were often too brief or obscured by quick editing.
These movies are often considered low points in the Godzilla franchise due to their lacklustre stories, poor special effects, and deviation from the elements that make Godzilla films enjoyable. However, even with these missteps, the King of the Monsters has persevered, and the franchise has continued to evolve and deliver thrilling monster battles to audiences worldwide.
Australian Government's Apology to the Stolen Generations: A Historic Moment
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
In Australia, the rating for Godzilla films varies depending on the specific movie within the franchise. For example, "Godzilla Minus One" and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" have been reviewed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM).
"Godzilla Minus One" likely falls under the M (Mature) or MA15+ (Mature Accompanied) rating in Australia, as suggested by its review by the ACCM and violent content.
"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is likely rated M or MA15+ in Australia, similar to other Godzilla films. The ACCM review indicates that the movie includes themes that may be unsuitable for children.
No, the rating for Godzilla films in Australia can vary. The rating depends on factors such as the level of violence, themes, and target audience for each movie within the franchise.
