CG in Giant Monster Movies

     This is a question that has been plaguing monster fans as long as I can remember. Fans of Godzilla and other giant monster movies tend to be quite fond of practical effects and the man in the suit. There is nothing wrong with this notion as the practical effects wizards work extra hard and produce things of some great quality. It has almost become a tradition. As the industry has grown over the years it has become more evident that practical effects can only go so far. I don't know if I have the definitive answer to this tough question, but I believe I have an answer.
     The main argument against using CG is pretty straight forward. CG animation doesn't have the same feeling of authenticity as a man in a suit or some other practical effect. It really is hard to explain but giant monsters just look that much more authentic when you know something is actually there. Godzilla versus Biollante is a great example of a Godzilla movie that does this right. Even some American movies seem to understand this. Jurassic Park is known for some fantastic practical effects. When the creature is able to interact with the people and the world around them without any extra enhancement, any feeling is just more real.
     The main argument against it though, is also understandable. The more detailed and realistic the practical effect is the more expensive and time consuming it is to create. Greats like Ray Harryhausen were known to take hours on single scenes of Stop motion. Even more recent effects wizards like Stan Winston, took huge amounts of time to make his props and costumes, sometimes days. Films only get so much time and resources so sacrifices do have to be made.
     To put it briefly, this argument is a fight on where the quality of a film should be. Should time and effort always be put into practical effects since you don't always need A-list actors? Or should all aspects of a film be given equal love, even if it means sometimes not the best effects make it. There really is not solid answer to this question as it depends on the film, but that has not stopped anybody from voicing their opinion on the matter.
     Some opinions were swayed and the conversation once again came up when Shin Gojira entered the spotlight. This was the first Japanese Godzilla movie where CG was used almost exclusively for the creature effects. Many fans were apprehensive and didn't really know what to think about the news when it surfaced. Despite what many fans thought, the film was very well put together with great effects. Unfortunately, this only served to further confuse and divide people in regards to this subject. A few months after the movie was fully released, this conversation seemed to die down. I think part of this has to do with an answer that popped up.
     It is important for fans to keep an open mind. After the shown success and care of the effects in Shin Gojira, it has become clear that just as much care and love can be put into CG effects as practical effects and monster suits. This, of course, also came with the draw of needing a lot of time, money and manpower to make happen. The idea was cemented that CG can be used and look good if it is what the particular movie calls for.
     I believe this to be the right answer. CG is not "evil" or ruining monster movies. If done right, CG can look fantastic. People tend to forget that Practical effects fall into that same ilk. Just as they can look great, poor practical effects can be a terrible drain and distraction on the overall quality of a film. The short answer is CG is fine, but a personal preference is always okay. The bigger question is, is CG the right thing for Godzilla going forward?
     I will always have a love for practical effects. Godzilla is a very big reason for that. In this situation I have to recall an answer given to fans at a panel by Keiichi Sakurai. He told fans that, like us, he prefers the old ways of doing things and that will never change. What has changed is the time. Computer effects can portray what practical effects never could. It is not a pleasant step but going into the world of CG is necessary for Godzilla to move forward. It is up to fans and more-so the creators to keep putting as much love and care into these works going forward.
     This really is a hard pill to swallow but going forward, it is one that has to be accepted. Not everybody has to like CG. I would wager that many fans still don't. We have to keep in mind that CG effects can be good and continue to judge things fairly. Godzilla and other monsters will likely be all CG in future and that is fine. Would it be awesome for a new Godzilla movie with all practical effects? Absolutely! Is it likely to happen? Unfortunately, not. That doesn't mean the quality of the movies are bad by default. Godzilla will likely be drifting further away from a man in a suit, and that is completely okay.

Top 10 Power Rangers Openings

     While Super Sentai has some very good openings, more people are likely familiar with some of the opening themes from the Power Rangers franchise. Ignoring a debate about which is better, we can all agree that Power Rangers had a fair share of both stinkers and really good openings and themes. Since I did the top 15 Super Sentai openings already, I see it as only fair to give Power Rangers the same treatment. There are fewer seasons of Power Rangers so instead of a top 15, a top 10 seems more fitting.

For the most part will be going off of the same rules as I did for Super Sentai:

1) I am only going off of how much of the song is provided in the opening of each respective show

2) How much does the song and opening cinematic hype you up in general/for the upcoming show. (basically how much do I want to watch the show after I watch the opening)

3) Is the song decent on its own

4) One song per show. (some shows have multiple)

5) unless otherwise stated, I will go off of the version of the opening that shows all Rangers

6) I am solely going off of the intro and not now the song was used in the show.

     This unfortunately means that Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the more recent seasons will only be able to provide one theme. It really only affects which cinematic I am going with since, like Super Sentai, main themes don't change that much into the show. I also want to stress again that this is merely the list I came up with based on my own bias and interests. this list is not objective. It is okay to like other themes more than I or hate ones that I enjoy. With all of that out of the way, lets get started.

10: Zeo

     The problem with making these lists is that it gets to a point where I like enough of the themes where its hard to decide which ones I like more than others. For some it was easy. For Zeo it was difficult. I do thoroughly enjoy the Power Rangers Zeo opening, but not as much as I like the others. The segment where the etchings of their helmet are being engraved into CG segments is a really neat effect. Honestly I can't say  anything bad about this opening. It is fine, just nothing about it really stands out over others to me.

9: Lost Galaxy

     I wanted to put this opening in a higher spot since it is very fast paced, very well edited and the song is pretty darn good. There is one major flaw that keeps it pretty low on this list as one of my favorites. The opening is too long. about the 3rd of 4th time we hear "Lost Galaxy" towards the end, I feel like the opening has long overstayed it's welcome. It doesn't ruin the whole opening. As I said, the fast pace and great song really bring it home. I just wish it was shorter or at least didn't feel as long

8: SPD

     Objectively speaking this is a very good opening. The editing is very well done, the song fits the tone of the opening and it really builds up hype. Why so low on the list? Well this is hard to explain but there are 2 things about the theme that I think were done so much better in other openings. The character introductions take up so much of the opening and it really feels like it. Part of the opening seems more like an opening credits role than a vehicle to get fans hyped for the show. It should be able to balance both of those things. I want to give them benefit of the doubt since the show does have a lot of characters, all necessary, but there is one more thing. The song is simply not my favorite. It is a very good song but there are others I like more. I really like this theme and truly believe it warrants praise. It is just not my favorite.

7: Space

     This opening builds up hype really quickly. That opening countdown followed by the declaration of "Rangers, in space!" is oddly epic. The rest of the theme is very well edited and good at maintaining this level of hype. Much like Zeo, most of the theme doesn't really stand out to me. The theme is good but not great. Unlike Zeo, the opening bit to help build hype early really helps it to me. I still enjoy the theme but there are a few I enjoy more.

6: Wild Force

     I really like this opening. The song is upbeat and the best way to describe the opening as a whole is...well....Wild. The opening is fun the whole way and part of my wants to like it more but there are certain editing quirks that bug me. Some things are not synced with the song as well as I would like, and some effects and transitions for the opening feel pretty simple. Aside from that I have to admire the consistency in how fun this opening is. The song fits the tone of the opening and many edits makes what we are about to watch feel grand. Unfortunately for me, I get bugged by stupid little things easily.

5: Lightspeed Rescue

     The only way I can really describe this opening is a very hopeful call to action. The slow opening leading into this urgent rock beat carries this sense of importance to the viewer. The scenes are action packed and really get you hyped for the show. In a weird twist, the editing is what really puts this in the number 5 spot for me. I like the song really well, but how well the song was implemented and timed in the opening warrants some hearty applause. If I were to nitpick about anything in this opening it is that, much like Lost Galaxy, this one may go on a bit too long. It does not feel as lengthy but it comes close. I would absolutely understand if somebody says this is their favorite opening or power rangers theme song.

4: Dino Charge

     After Power Rangers Samurai I thought that Power  Rangers openings were just about done for. Creators seemed more inclined to rehash the original theme than create something new. Enter Power Rangers Dino Charge. How good this theme is caught me so off guard I have to give it praise. The slow opening drums followed by honest to goodness original lyrics  were fantastically done. This special brand of Primal epicness really. Many people don't like this opening because parts of the chorus are from the original MMPR theme. I can see that complaint but I don't think it's completely fair. This theme has more than enough of its own identity to stand on its own. Boy does it stand on its own. Everything from the fast pace and stylized opening to the great song go a long way. I can't put it higher on the list since there are three that do certain things better. Also, while it is awesome, the slow opening is not that good at building hype as oppose to setting a tone, if that makes sense. A very unexpected and awesome opening, but not quite my favorite.

3: Dino Thunder

     I really wanted this one to be higher on the list since this song is one of if not my favorite opening song. The problem is, the editing and pacing of the opening is good, but not as strong as the song. Many parts are good, but that is not where the hype comes from. The opening theme for Dino Thunder is epic and hard rocking. I just about have to head bang every time I hear it. It carries so much weight that I had to put the opening high on the list. Unfortunately when there were many openings that had much more action-packed or fun editing in their openings, I had to come to terms with the fact that there are two I like a bit more. Still a seriously awesome song though.

2: Time Force

     Probably one of the best, if not the best, edited openings in Power Rangers so far. The fast paced action and epic score in the opening does an absolutely fantastic job at getting me hyped for the show. It is awesome to see how just about every action, every special move and even some introductions align with the music near flawlessly. Much like Lightspeed Rescue, the editing and epic feel of this carries a huge chunk of the weight. Time force does 2 things better in my opinion. The timing and action are a tad more pronounced and the I just like the song better in Time Force.

1: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (season 1)

     Honestly this should surprise nobody. The people doing the original opening and theme song knew what they were doing. I said in the Top 15 Super Sentai openings that opening dialogue, if done right makes all the difference. In this opening the starting dialogue sets the tone immediately. The viewer immediatly knows this show is going to be pretty silly. That state of relaxed "WTF" in some weird way helps the hype of the show. The editing is not spectacular and the timing of things is really good. Honestly a lot of what puts this at number one is how timeless and awesome the song is. Nothing about the opening is bad. In fact, as a whole it is the right amount of silly and out there. The theme song just raises this opening to great heights and makes it my uncontested favorite.

Honorable Mention: Hyperforce

     I have to give the creators at HyperRPG props for this opening. I didn't feel right putting it on the list since a) the series is not over and b) it is not an official power rangers property...yet. The show has been doing super successful and they made one heck of an opening to go along with it. Check out the opening and show when you get the chance. Especially lately, they have been doing a fantastic job at capturing the heart of Power Rangers.



     As weird as it sounds this list was easier to make than the top 15 Super Sentai list I made. I already  had an idea of which ones were going to be where since I, like many americans, had more exposure to Power Rangers than Super Sentai. This was a fun list to make and it really has put opening theme songs in my brain. I may do a top 10 Kamen Rider openings as well while I am doing these...

Pacific Rim: Uprising thoughts

     Pacific Rim was a movie ripe with references and love to monster movies, mech anime and Tokusatsu. It was once described as one of the ultimate fan films and I very much agree with that title. The sequel built up a lot of hype ever since designs and characters were teased oh so long ago. Pacific Rim: Uprising had a lot to live up to. I can't quite say that the sequel matched the magic that was the original Pacific Rim, but the movie still shines in it's own way for a flawed but good and extremely enjoyable film.
     The first thing that needs to be said about this film is that nobody should go into this expecting an artistic masterpiece. I swear most critics and fans have lost the ability to just enjoy something for what it is but that is a topic for another day. The point is this is not a very story driven film. Most people watch this movie to see Jaegers, Kaiju, and cool fight scenes. This movie has the decency and foresight to understand that.
    Characters don't get a whole lot of development and that is fine in this type of movie so long as the characters stand out. The characters with the biggest roles all stand out, especially John Boyega as Jake Pentecost and Cailee Spaeny as Amara Namani. Unfortunately the side characters, like the cadets and Jules Reyes don't have much to them in the movie. There is a very funny scene during the cadet's first takeoff against the Kaiju, but beyond that I don't remember much from them. This is generally excusable for this kind of movie, but it would have been a lot better if the characters were more memorable for the brief time we had them on screen.
     The story is very simple, and oddly enough, very well thought out. This honestly feels like a natural progression to where the world went after the initial Kaiju attacks were thwarted. That aside there are only a few key points. Jake, former Jaeger pilot, and Amara, talented up and comer, are enlisted to train on the base where Jaeger pilots train and Kaiju-related research has been going primarily. There are whispers here and there that the Kaiju and the creatures that sent them will return. Thanks to some meddling and a twist, I dare not spoil, the Kaiju re-enter the world. Due to quick action only 3 cam through but many Jaegers and pilots are left out of commission. From there it is a race to fix the Jaegers and get the cadets ready with Jake and his co-pilot Nate. It sounds like a lot but the whole movie can be summarized pretty simply. The world is still in disrepair, bad stuff happens and more Kaiju show up. Big robots fight big monsters. Honestly, the simple plot that seems complex really fits this kind of movie.

     Like I said, the main reasons to see this movie are the Jaegers, the Kaiju, and the fights between them. All of the effects and action scenes are in full force. There is even a move at the very end that is too epic for words. Aside from the end, I don't think any of the action in the movie quite hits the same level of "epic" as the first one. I don't know what it is. Maybe it was shot differently, maybe I'm already used to this stuff or maybe the designs aren't as memorable? I honestly can't quite place what it is but most of the action scenes, while great, don't match the level of the first one. Except, again, for the final attack against the Kaiju.
     It is taking everything in me to not spoil this movie because it really is an extremely fun movie that everyone should go see. I do not see this movie as better than its predecessor, but it comes close. This movie and it's characters are worthy additions to this franchise. If this franchise does continue, which is possible, I sincerely hope the third installment is still the fun monster-fest this movie and the original were. I cannot stress enough how much I recommend this movie to fans of Tokusatsu and/or giant monsters.