In a nation where a medium soft drink comes in a cup the size of a bucket of chicken, and where… well, I’ll just say “The Cheesecake Factory” and leave it at that, people outside our nation have developed a stereotype that all citizens of the U.S. are fat, stupid hillbillies. And we’ve apparently passed that along to our cinematic creations.
Japanese audiences are slamming the new ‘Godzilla’ for being too rotund. The name “Godzilla” is derived from the words “gorilla” and “kujira” (meaning whale), but apparently the Japanese (who produced the original film) think he should be leaner and meaner than the fat lard he appears to be in director Gareth Edwards’ big screen take.
“He’s gone and supersized himself,” remarked one armchair critic, while another simply referred to the fire-breathing reptile as “an American fatty.” Another person stated “It’s true that you gain weight in America. It’s a calorie monster.” (Well, I mentioned the Cheesecake Factory already so I can’t validly argue with that. Outside of the U.S. you don’t even get drink refills for free, much less all-you-can-eat buffets.)
Other barbs hurled at this version of the classic monster: “couch potato Godzilla,” “Godzilla Deluxe,” “Marshmallow-Godzilla,” and this remark “He’s so fat, I laughed.” Oh and this one “It’s got no neck!” What?! A double chin doesn’t count?!
And finally, there was this remark, “fat from the neck downwards and massive at the bottom.” Look the standards of beauty are changing. Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj… Americans like a little junk in the trunk… although maybe not with monsters.
In an interview with Cinema Blend, co-star Aaron Tayor-Johnson was told of the comments and responded:
“Of course I don’t have any kind of comment to add to that ignorant response. (sigh) I don’t know why people have to be that way, to judge and all that. That’s good in a way. Let them have low expectations. It’s always nice that way, to go into a movie and be surprised the other way around, you know? If people in Tokyo and the Japanese love it then you know, then we did right. Then we did good.”
Ken Watanabe was equally surprised with the size remarks that Godzilla got fat drinking cola and eating pizza and jokingly commented, “No. He doesn’t drink Diet Coke. But no. No way.” When asked if Godzilla should be ashamed of his body, the actor responded:
No. No! He’s just all (he flexs his shoulders into a muscular hunch and sneers comically…)I like that. Scoffs) Please”
Godzilla is supposed to be a massive, dinosaur-like creature. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen one of those in a text book rocking Zac Efron’s six pack. Yes, Americans do serve over-sized portions at restaurants. (Seriously, I just order everything to go because I know it’s going to equal at least two meals.)
So does Godzilla seem a bit tubby to you or are other people just slinging barbs? I mean at least it’s not a glorified T-Rex like the last American movie attempt!
What do you think, fatty? Comment below!
