If you ask Brandon Harm, the biggest abomination in the annals of Godzilla history came in the form of the 1998 film of that name.
The only thing the monster in that movie had in common with the “real” Godzilla was the jagged spine. But it was worse than that.
“Most of all, he did not have (Godzilla’s) atomic breath,” said the 16-year-old Mountain View High School sophomore, with palpable disgust. “That’s what makes Godzilla Godzilla. It proves that he’s radiated.”
Harm knows a thing or two about the famed giant reptile. He’s been collecting Godzilla swag and watching films from a very young age.
And the new Godzilla film that came out May 16? Unlike the 1998 Matthew Broderick bomb, it gets a solid metallic roar of approval, Harm said.
“I think it was a really good way of approaching Godzilla,” Harm said. “The fact that they didn’t show everything all at once, it really led you into the story. And it had the classic aspects, including the atomic breath.”
Many of the 29 Godzilla films are allegories warning of the danger of ignoring environmental and nuclear issues, and Harm said he was glad to see the new film go back to those roots.
“I really want to thank the director, Gareth Edwards, for his work on the new movie,” Harm said. “He did such an amazing job bringing Godzilla back to life.”
Harm got his first God-zilla toys when he was just 4 years old, a present from his uncle, Billy Howard. The two quickly bonded over the giant lizard.
“I started watching the movies with him,” Harm said. “It kind of took off from there.”
Harm now has about 160 classic Godzilla toys and figures, 50 comics and a DVD of every Godzilla film ever made, he says proudly.
“Well, the new one will probably come out on DVD in October, but I guess I can wait,” Harm said.
His favorite film out of the 29 films is 1995’s “Godzilla vs. Destroyah.”
“It had multiple elements,” Harm said. “Godzilla had a full adult son who faced off against Destroyah when he was young. The story line, the creativity, it’s great.”
Harm’s mother, Heather Howard, said she’s proud of her son’s enthusiasm for the monster. She and her brother went to the midnight screening on opening night of the new film with Harm and a group of his friends.
“He actually lost his voice with everyone hooting and hollering in the theater,” she said. “Each of the different monsters has a special place for him.”
To get money for his Godzilla swag, Harm digs through old boxes around the house and sells items on eBay, he said.
The item he wants most? That would be a Godzilla Forever Series Disco Glitter Godzilla, which runs around $1,000 on eBay.
“It’s about 6 inches tall, all covered in disco glitter,” Harm said with a laugh. “There are so many Godzilla figures out there, I don’t think you could ever have all of them.”
He also likes to sculpt and draw the creature. He’s working on two clay pieces in his art class right now, he said.
“I just can’t get enough of it,” Harm said. “It’s like an addiction.”
He also has another love, though. In his non-Godzilla focused hours, Harm is a budding drummer.
“I want to be a rock star,” he said.
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