I honestly find the US version to be superior...

It isn't superior in all ways, some of the dialogue alterations remove worthwhile details or make things a little less clear.

But the biggest thing I notice every time when I watch the original version is the lack of music and the seriously weak sound design. After growing up watching Godzilla 2000 on VHS, finally seeing the Japanese version, the movie felt so muted.

In general, I find the 'trims' made throughout the film for the US version do in fact help punch up the pace, and that the additional pieces of music they inserted and completely overhauled sound design do wonders in terms of giving the film more kinetic energy throughout.

They also brightened the image for the US version, which again, the original feels a bit TOO dark at times.

So while some of the dialogue changes sting, in terms of the brighter image, the additional music, the far superior sound design, and the tighter editing....the US version is absolutely a big net-gain over the original.....and that is a GIANT rarity when it comes to the "Americanizations" of Godzilla films.