Based on the titles of the later films in the Japanese Godzilla franchise, it is already clear to me where the journey is heading tonally. However, the original from 1954 is still on the serious side. The historical proximity to World War II is obvious here. It is clear that the film is dealing with the aftermath of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. And it's also quite effective, because the fears that must have been omnipresent in Japan at the time are palpable. I was also impressed by the restrained use of the eponymous monster. It takes quite a while before you really get to see Godzilla, and when you do, it packs quite a punch. The creature design is surprisingly effective, and the destruction is also strongly realized with the help of models. The whole thing is accompanied by a great score. My only major points of criticism concern the human characters, hardly any of whom are memorable, and the acting, which is far too overdone by some of the actors. Otherwise, "Godzilla" is an excellent introduction to this mega-franchise.