DVD Review - Godzilla: The Complete Animated Series

Godzilla: The Complete Animated Series
Voice Cast: Ian Ziering, Brigitte Bako, Rino Romano, Charity James, Malcolm Danare, Tom Kenny
Studio: Mill Creek Entertainment
Release Date: April 29, 2014
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00I099JZK
Running Time: 14 hours 14 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review: 

Monster fans are patiently waiting for the release of the remake of Godzilla, but until then they can't get sink their teeth into Mill Creek Entertainment's DVD release of Godzilla: The Complete Animated Series.

No, this isn't the 1978 Hanna-Barbera cartoon, but instead this is the 1998 animated series, which servers as a direct followup to the 1998 Godzilla flick that started Matthew Broderick. The film was a box-office hit at the time, but Godzilla's new look was criticized by critics and Godzilla fans alike. Nevertheless, the movie still spawned an animated series that lasted for only two seasons consisting of 40 episodes.

Picking up exactly where the 1998 film left off, Godzilla has been destroyed, but Dr. Nick Tatopoulos (voiced by Ian Ziering) is worried that a few of the creature's offspring has survived. Along with the Humanitarian Environmental Analysis Team (H.E.A.T.), Dr. Tatopoulos locates the last offspring, which the creature becomes emotionally attached to him. Nick becomes sorta like a adopted father to the new Godzilla.

Suddenly, there are strange giant monster reports all over the world. The only weapon that can protect Earth is Godzilla!

The 40 episodes on the four-disc set are:

1. New Family - Part 1
2. New Family - Part w
3. Talkin' Trash
4. D.O.A.
5. The Winter Of Our Discontent
6. Cat And Mouse
7. Leviathan
8. What Dreams May Come
9. Hive
10. Bird of Paradise
11. Freeze
12. DeadLoch
13. Competition
14. Bug Out
15. Monster Wars - Part 1
16. Monster Wars - Part 2
17. Monster Wars - Part 3
18. An Early Frost
19. What A Long Strange Trip It's Ben
20. Web Site
21. Wedding Bell Blew
22. Juggernaut
23. Shafted
24. Trust No ONe
25. Lizard Season
26. Ballad of Gen Du Marias (Unaired Episode)
27. Ring of Fire
28. Protector
29. Vision
30. Freakshow
31. Metamorphosis
32. Where Is Thy Sting?
33. Underground Movement
34. The Twister
35. S.C.A.L.E.
36. Future Shock
37. End Of The Line
38. Area 51
39. Tourist Trap (Unaired Episode)
40. Cash Of The Titans

I was  one of the few people that actually liked the 1998 version of Godzilla; seeing it twice at the theaters when I was a teenager. I thought it was fun monster movie, but a poor remake of Godzilla. I was aware of the animated series, but I never watched it during its original run. Three to four episodes have been released on several VHS and DVD releases over the years, but this is the first time the complete series has been released, which is just in time for the 2014 remake.

While the original Japanese films may seem a little childish, as it is just a guy in a Godzilla suit, the films may still be a tad bit violent for younger kids. The animated series is more family-friendly. Godzilla does battle several other monsters, but this version is meant to protect humans instead of going a rampage across major cities. The 40 episodes on the four-disc set are fast-paced and action-packed. Overall, I have been enjoying watching the Godzilla: The Complete Animated Series and I recommend it to other "Zilla" fans.

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.