Godzilla 1985 (US Version) is my absolute favorite right after the original Gojira. I loved the dark tone of the flick, the soundtrack, and the Big G being back with a major attitude problem. I do agree the Japanese version is superior mainly due to the visual effects that were lost in the American version, but also becauses the story in the 84 Japanese version seemed a bit better flushed out and not so full of references to the Cold War. The American version clearly turns Godzilla into a propaganda film, imo. The Japanese version, as I remember it, stayed neutral with the russian dying attempting to stop the nuke launch and (I believe) it showed the American missle knock it out of the sky.

Anyway, both versions of the film are my favorite G flicks after the original. If there is ever another (true) remake of Godzilla, I hope they stick to his darker, more malevolent roots.