15 Underrated Movie Remakes That Deserve Another Look

Roland Emmerich is not a name associated with high art, but we’ll be damned if he hasn’t made some of the most popcorn-ready movies of the past few decades. But while everyone agrees on the entertainment value of the likes of Independence Day, the director’s take on Godzilla is another matter.

Technically more of a remake of 1953’s The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms than 1954’s Godzilla (although Godzilla ‘54 was heavily inspired by the Beast) Godzilla ’98 is the first incarnation of Godzilla to feature in an American-made film, and takes the big saurian beastie into New York for a spot of chaotic fun. But folks didn’t like the monster design, they didn’t like the lack of the kind of thematic messaging the original had (re. nuclear warfare), and the critics destroyed it.

But it remains deeply nostalgic for anyone who was young at the time, with an iconic look that sets it apart from most other Godzilla movies. Show any ‘90s kid a few frames of Godzilla ‘98’s floodlit NYC in the rain, and they’ll know exactly when and where they are - and what’s about to come stomping round the corner.

The monster has since been retconned by Toho so it’s technically not Godzilla, but some other large dinosaur type thing. But that’s beside the point. What matters here is that the film gives an authentic Godzilla experience for those willing to try.