Though special-effects experts in Japan and around the world have vastly improved their craft in the last 30 years, you wouldn't know it from this film.
50
Washington PostRita Kempley
Washington PostRita Kempley
A trashy Japanese production with special guest Raymond Burr. [27 Sep 1985, p.25]
37
Washington PostTom Shales
Washington PostTom Shales
New World Pictures has been promoting the film not so much as a fright show but more as a campy romp (the comic trailer was more entertaining than the picture); unfortunately, it doesn't work very well on either level. [01 Oct 1985, p.E1]
The fatal flaw in Godzilla 1985 is that it is a bad movie with aspirations of being a good bad movie.
25
TV Guide Magazine
TV Guide Magazine
The dialogue tries to give Godzilla some higher meaning, but it doesn't know what it wants that to be.
25
Chicago TribuneRick Kogan
Chicago TribuneRick Kogan
Heavily laden with antinuclear messages, bad dubbing and worse dialogue, Godzilla 1985 is a pale imitation of the original film, a calculated bit of cinematic nostalgia that leaves one yawning. [20 Sep 1985, p.J]