The Letters to the Editor department is intended to be a forum for our readers to express their own opinions and ideas. While we appreciate the many complimentary letters we receive each day, you won't find them on this page. Instead, you will find letters that go beyond or even contradict what we have written, letters that offer a different perspective and provide a different view of science fiction. If you would like to submit a letter, please use our feedback form or send a message to scifiweekly@scifi.com.
-- Craig E. Engler, Editor
Godzilla delivered on its promises
ohn Platt's review of Godzilla was suspiciously negative, as though he'd made up his mind after seeing the hype but before seeing the movie. I had figured that the empty plagiarism of ID4 proved Devlin and Emmerich were perfect to remake Godzilla. However, I decided I'd watch the film and see if Platt was right. He wasn't.
I have to agree that the characters were one-dimensional and there was a lack of originality or emotion. I expect this from the ID4 team, since that movie proved the audience wouldn't worry about decent characterization if the special effects were good.
Platt seems to have read too much into the hype, though. The marketing campaign never really promised anything more than a giant monster in New York. Godzilla delivered that beautifully, even with the distractions provided by the movie makers' love of blowing up landmarks.
Patrick Clark
unterhund@juno.com
Godzilla wasn't that bad
our review of Godzilla as a grade-D flop was completely off mark. Sure it wasn't a movie destined to be a science fiction classic, but it wasn't that bad. Along with its shortcomings I found it highly entertaining. The effects were top-notch and I found some of the characters engaging, such as the French secret police and the animal cameraman.
If your reason for such an uncalled for pan was to get people expecting the least, so that they will be pleasantly surprised, then you were successful.
I say to people, go see Godzilla...It's worth the $6.75 and the big screen and sound.
Stu Lewis
slewis@foremostgraphics.com
Godzilla.com: Computer-crashing browser tricks
don't quite understand your positive review for Godzilla as a informative site when there are so many other wonderful fan-run Godzilla Web sites. All of which provide better organized information and a real show of caring for the material as well. Centropolis's so-called Godzilla Data Base is racked with errors and much is lifted from someone's book.
As far as information goes--what information? The Godzilla.com Web site has been around for almost a year and it provided no information at all. It was my Web site Godzilla News that inspired them to have a news section and they didn't do a good job at it. Godzilla News has been the leader in providing information on the American Godzilla film and other upcoming Japanese monster films since March 1997. We were the first to publish photos of the new Godzilla recently when all the toys and magazines were released. And verify that the so-called fake Godzilla images were indeed real.
No, Centropolis did not do a good job at all in providing anything useful other than a series of computer-crashing Web tricks. I will concede one item and that is the GBOARD. They have consistently allowed fans to express negative and positive opinions on the new film in which debates would form with Devlin. A very unique experience for the movie fan. Other than that there is nothing new under the sun.
Aaron J. Smith
trelane@usa.net
Lucifer's Hammer made an impact
am very young, only 17, but I do know good science fiction when I see it. I've been a science fiction fan since the age of five, Star Trek naturally being my first encounter. But over the years my father has nursed my love of science fiction, and I can now pick out a good science fiction book by looking at it.
About two years ago I read Lucifer's Hammer, which has since taken its place amongst my favorite books. Very recently I saw the movie Deep Impact, and while seeing it I made my own comparisons between the two. But that isn't fair. Lucifer's Hammer has its own fine points and not-so-fine points, as does Deep Impact, but what I like best about both of them is that they are great "human" stories. It shows what mankind has to go through in order to survive. You don't need bad guys in order to have a good story, all you need is people surviving against all odds.
Since I read Lucifer's Hammer my life has changed. Not a lot, but enough. The effect was doubled by seeing Deep Impact. There aren't many books or movies that do this to me, but both books and movies have caused me to reevaluate my priorities. It shouldn't matter that characters are slightly flat; the story was good. It shouldn't matter that there were no "bad guys;" the story was good. Tragedy and triumph. That's what life is all about. And there you have a deeply philosophical response from a 17-year-old girl.
Sasha
soosha_q@hotmail.com
