Continuity mistake: In the scene when Godzilla is attacking the three fishing trolleys, the big light posts fall over. When they hit the ship decks, the impact breaks the bulbs and the lights go out. However, a few shots later, as the ships are going under, the fallen lights are back on.
Godzilla (1998)
21 continuity mistakes - chronological order
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Maria Pitillo
Factual error: When Matthew Broderick teams up with the French Commandos and they are driving into the restricted area - when the French Commando says gum chewing makes them seem more American - they stop at the guard shack. Matthew Broderick leans forward to answer the guard who tells him "I wasn't talking to you, soldier!" In a military vehicle, the highest ranking person sits in the front passenger seat (where Broderick was sitting). The driver is just the driver - usually the lowest ranking member in the vehicle. There is no way a soldier would tell who is probably an officer to be quiet so they could speak to a private driver.
Dr. Niko Tatopoulus: What's with the chewing gum?
Philippe Roaché: It makes us look more American.
Trivia: Director Roland Emmerich was a massive fan of Spielberg's films. Particularly "Jurassic Park." Emmerich decided to model this film more around "Jurassic Park" than the original "Godzilla" series. (In particular the "Baby Godzilla" sequences, which features many callbacks and references to the raptor scenes from "Jurassic Park").
More questions & answers from Godzilla
Answer: Everyone was so focused on the nest in the Garden, they all forgot about Godzilla.