"I've read an in-depth analysis of comparison to the American cut vs.
the Japanese cut, and the Japanese version is much more coherent."

The Japanese cut also makes Gojira a much darker character. There are
references to his consuming humans to live, and of ancient human sacrifices.
As well, the story deals more effectively with the three way conflict
between Emiko, Ogata, and Emiko's arranged narriage to Serizawa. In 50s
Japan, this traditional set up of a woman whose marriage has been
arranged, being in love with another man, would have set up a very deep
conflict in the viewers.
Though Gojira 2000 does bring the big guy back to a bit darker
character, later movies did pull him more into the family oriented, kid
loving, protect japan, quasi-comedy monster, which made him a little
silly. But, Gojira is a legitimate superstar in Japan. It's unfortunate
that so few people have gotten to see his darker beginnings and see the
story the way it was intended to be told. Watching the original, one can
understand why Kurosawa would have an interest in directing a Gojira
movie. It fits right into the themes he used so often in his own films.


--
I wanted to try that Jared guy's "Subway diet," but since I don't live
near a Subway, I had to improvise. Eight months later, I'm sad to report
that the "McDonald's Filet O' Fish Extra Value Meal diet" has thus far
been, well, spectacularly unsuccessful.

http://www.bonestructure.net

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