Godzilla (1998)

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Name: Godzilla
American Godzilla
Godzilla: The Series
Abbreviation(s): GTS
Creator: Roland Emmerich & Dean Devlin (screenplay)
Date(s): 1998 (film release), September 12, 1998 – April 22, 2000 (Series run)
Medium: Live-action film, animated TV series
Country of Origin: United States
External Links: IMDB of film, IMDB of series
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Godzilla (1998) is a 1998 live-action science fiction re-imagining US film of the Japanese monster of the same name.

Canon

Film

"Following the French atomic bomb tests in the South Pacific, an unknown creature is spotted passing eastward through the Panama Canal. Scientist Niko Tatopolous is called in to investigate the matter, and he quickly arrives at the conclusion that a giant, irradiated lizard has been created by the explosions. Godzilla then makes its way north, landing at Manhattan to begin wreaking havoc in the big city. Even with the combined forces of the U.S. military to fight the monster, will it be enough to save the people of New York?" [1]

The Series

The lone Godzilla egg that survived (shown as the film ended) is main plot basis for the series. The creature hatches after Nick Tatopoulos stumbles onto it as it assumes him as its parent, imprinting on Nick. Nick, Elsie, Craven, and two new characters Monique Dupre and Randy Hernandez form a research team, investigating strange occurrences and defending mankind from dangerous mutations with the help of new Godzilla thanks to him imprinting on Nick and wanting to protect him.

Main Characters

  • Godzilla - the original 1998 film one is often called Zilla to differentiate itself from Japanese Godzillas. Reproduced over 200 eggs asexually. Shows up a few times in the animated series too as a reanimated Cyber-Godzilla thanks to aliens.
  • Godzilla Junior - the only surviving child of the Zilla, and has the same characteristics however is incapable of having asexual reproduction and also capable of breathing radioactive fire.
  • Dr. Niko "Nick" Tatopoulos - considered the "Worm guy", is NRC scientist that later becomes the leader of the Heat Seekers in the animated series. Is imprinted by the baby Godzilla, becoming his "adoptive father". Leader of H.E.A.T., Nick fiercely protects Godzilla and other mutants from both foreign and domestic governments.
  • Philippe Roaché - a French agent of the DGSE that helps Nick find the nest.
  • Audrey Timmonds - a secretary that wants to be a reporter. Used to date Nick in college before breaking it off with him to head to NY. In the series they are in a rocky relationship and Audrey a big time reporter now.
  • Victor "Animal" Palotti - the cameraman, later becomes Audrey's partner.
  • Colonel Hicks - main military leader, usually has Nick's back on Godzilla, later becomes a Major in the series.
  • Dr. Elsie Chapman - scientist that specializes in biology, has a large crush on Nick (often shown jealous of Audrey and flirting with Nick), although in later episodes Elsie has also shown affection toward Craven.
  • Dr. Mendel Craven - scientist, and allergic to everything pretty much. Craven also has a major crush on Elsie.
  • Monique Dupre – A Vietnamese/French agent of the DGSE, originally sent to have baby!Godzilla killed, but became its defender.
  • Randy Hernandez - An intern working under Nick, and like him, is Godzilla's defender; talented in all fields of technology and has a crush on Monique. Voiced by Rino Romano.
  • N.I.G.E.L. (Next millennium Intelligence Gathering Electronic Liaison) – a robot created by Mendel and reprogrammed by Randy to have a cheerful personality, from Texas cowboy to Shakespearean or even Mendel's mother's voice. A running gag on the show is that he is destroyed in almost every episode, presumably to be rebuilt or replaced.

Secondary Characters

  • Mayor Ebert - Mayor of NYC, also appears in the animated series
  • Gene - Mayor Ebert's Aide
  • Charles Caiman - Audrey's sexist boss who often steals her work throughout the film.
  • Lucy Palotti - Animal's wife and best friend to Audrey
  • Sergeant O'Neal - Sergeant that helps Nick out in the film quite often
  • Leviathan (Aliens) – An ancient race of psychically powerful extraterrestrials. Appeared only in the animated series.
  • Cameron Winters – A former classmate of Nick in college, he is a technological jerk whose desire is to control Godzilla.

Fandom

The Godzilla (1998) film is often hated and given bad reviews, although there are a few fans out there of it. However the series did well during Fox Kids' Saturday morning line-up and is generally well-liked compared to the film, although it was later overshadowed by Kids' WB/Fox Kids Pokémon/Digimon war, thus episodes were either never repeated, skipped over and rescheduled constantly. Due to the lack of support, it's a fairly small fandom compared to the other Godzilla films. Although it is available on Netflix for new and old fans.

Need to be added:

  • Debates over rather or not the creature in the film/and series is Godzilla?
  • Due to the differences, the creature is often called 'Zilla' to differentiate itself from original.

Shipping

The canon ships are Nick/Audrey, Mendel/Elsie, Monique/Randy and Komodithrax/Godzilla, and they are all fairly popular in fanworks. Nick & Godzilla is also considered popular. Rare pairings are Nick/Elsie, Nick/Monique, Mendel/Monique, Monique/Philippe.

Common Tropes & Storylines

  • Pregnancy or Mpreg - either Nick becomes pregnant or Godzilla becomes pregnant like original film portrayed.
  • Mental Bond between Nick and Godzilla, it usually evolves from Godzilla's initial imprint bond with Nick or became from an alien or human experiment. Usually means that Nick can call Godzilla himself or understand his emotions, but sometimes means a telepathic bond as well.

Meta

Fanworks

Fanfiction

Fanart

Fanvids

Archives and Communities

Fansites

Resources

References

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