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Entertaining, but nowhere near as serious or thought-provoking as the original. The anti-war and nuclear message were trimmed way down, and the result is a different feeling movie.

This film runs 80 minutes, while the original was nearly 100 minutes. Plus, many scenes were trimmed or eliminated, making way for Raymond Burr's constant voice overs and pipe smoking. Burr plays Steve Martin (20 years before the comic actor came along), and American reporter en route to Cairo, but lays over in Japan for a few days. This of course just happens to be the time that Godzilla attacks. He sometimes interacts with the characters from the original, but they're scenes that are obviously heavily edited, or utilize stand-ins from a back view to hide the face in the shot.

As a result of the editing, much of the characteristics of the main players are reduced. Emiko and Dr. Serizawa's arranged marriage is almost a footnote. Emiko in this version tries to tell Serizawa (or as I called him, Dr. Eyepatch) but he keeps cutting her off and going on to something else. In the original, Dr. Eyepatch was able to see that Emiko was in love with another, and knew that the breakoff of the engagement was only a matter of time. He loves her, but is totally devoted to his science. She respects him greatly, but loves him more like a brother.

The American film also begins immediately following Godzilla's rampage, something that doesn't happen until over an hour into the original. The majority of the rest of the story is told in flashback by Martin.

The resolution is the same. Dr. Eyepatch's "Oxygen Destroyer" was created in secrecy, and is used to literally dissolve the flesh from Godzilla's bones. But in the American version, the heroes try to reel him back up, but find only a ripped cord. Dr. Eyepatch's self sacrifice saves the country. Burr closes out the film by saying "The menace was gone, so was a great man. But the whole world could wake up and live again."

In the Japanese film, Serizawa realizes the dangers of the Oxygen Destroyer. And knows as long as he is alive, its secrets could fall into the wrong hands. "Humans are weak animals. Even if I burn my notes, the secret will still be in my head. Until I die, how can I be sure I won't be forced by someone to make the device again?" After all, it was mankind's fascination with war and The Bomb that brought about Godzilla, and now nature was paying them back. So he decides before going in that he would die after unleashing the Oxygen Destroyer on Godzilla. His final words are to Emiko and her love, Ogata. He says "Farewell, and be happy together...".

The film's other scientist, Dr. Yemane, closes out the original by saying "I cannot believe that Godzilla was the only surviving member of its species. If we keep on conducting nuclear tests, it's possible that another Godzilla might appear somewhere in the world, again." This didn't seem to be a foreshadow to a sequel as much as it was the heart of the message.


"Perry, I think you're a little out of your league here..."

So in short, it is an entertaining film in the "giant monster suit" sense. But it doesn't hold a candle to the original in terms of character and quality.

Firsts
-Godzilla film released in the States
-appearance of Steve Martin

Lasts
-appearance of Steve Martin for 30 years

Gigantis, The Fire Monster (1959)



The American version of "Godzilla Raids Again"

I can only assume that the name "Gigantis" was used because Americans wouldn't buy another creature by the same name "Godzilla". Again, this is inferior, but the editing is understandable given the audience.

Again, there are a lot of narrations. This time done by the character Tsukioka. A lot of explaining is done that fishing is a big job in Japan, and that pilots are used frequently to scout for fish. This is not explained in the original, for obvious reasons.

The narrations throughout the film aren't nearly as distracting as they are Raymond Burr's in the 1956 American Godzilla. They do summarize the movie well for an American audience. The rest of the film unfolds much the same, minus a few changes in dialog.

This one also scores about a 4. Just not a very good film, even by monster schlock standards. The only decent part about the production of this one is the voice acting fits pretty well. The voice actors faked Japanese accents, which adds to the illusion.

Last:
-Film to heavily use voiceovers to tell the story

Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)



TONS better. King Kong vs. Godzilla is all around a pretty bad movie because it was a comedy re-edited to be more sci-fi.

Many monster films have bad scripts with lousy acting/dubbing, and effects that were bad even in their time. That is not the case with this film. This actually has a pretty good script, and the effects only look dated now. I think it is very comparable to the modern Kaiju films from the 90s and 2000s. One of the constant things about 'zilla films is Godzilla himself usually waits until at least 30 minutes or so into the picture before actually showing up. This one is no exception, and it's more like halfway through the picture before he makes his first appearance. But since the movie concentrates on the giant Mothra egg, there is a strong plot device to keep us interested.

The main part of the first act is the appearance of a giant egg after a hurricane. This is of course a Mothra egg, and Mothra (being, you know, a moth) doesn't live very long. This egg is to be its replacement. The natives of the now obligatory nearby primitive island demand that the egg be returned. Greedy marketers want to use the egg to make money (one of the few similarities from the previous film that stays and actually works is human greed causing conflicts) and try to keep it in Japan.

Cue Godzilla, who had been swept up in the hurricane and was buried amongst a bunch of other ships and debris. He climbs out of the ground and starts wreaking havoc.

I think you can guess the rest of the movie from here. Mothra comes in to save the day, and the last quarter of the movie is a big fight. However, unlike KKvG this is a well planned out and directed fight. No arm flapping.

Another thing I've noticed is Toho reuses a lot of the same actors, but has them in different roles. Maybe it's just a custom they have or had in those days. But Westerners like us would expect the same actors to be playing the same characters in what would essentially be a sequel. For instance, the same actor who played Ogata in the original Gojira plays a reporter in this one. The same actor from KKvG is in this one, playing a different part.

In closing, this movie is a solid 8 or 8.5 on the Giant Monster scale. It's entertaining, and is mainly only campy now due to being 45 years old rather than bad film making.


"I told you G, you gotta pace yourself with that Southern Comfort stuff..."

Firsts
-Meeting of Mothra & Godzilla
-Death of Mothra

Another in the "entertaining, but campy" group, which will probably be the largest group by the time this is over. This one was originally known as "The Great Monster War" in Japan, and "Monster Zero" in the states. "Invasion of Astro-Monster" is the UK title that was adopted as the name in recent redistribution.

One of the things I liked about this film was its clear intention for an international audience. It is one of the few films to star an American actor (Nick Adams at his most Lloyd Bridgesiest). Adams speaks english, while all the other stars speak Japanese. He is dubbed into Japanese in the original version, but the American version has the original tracks of his voice with dubbing for all other characters.

The plot revolves around a hidden planet behind Jupiter called "Planet X". When investigating this planet, two astronauts (Adams' character Glenn, and the Japanese lead, Fuji) find an underground alien base that has been terrorized by a monster referred to as "Monster Zero". Glenn and Fuji instantly recognize the monster as King Ghidorah, but never question how he got to another planet in the first place. The leader, or "Controller", of Planet X pleads with them to allow them use of Godzilla and Rodan to fight Ghidorah and free their world. In exchange they offer plans for a "super drug" that can cure all disease.

Naturally, the humans agree to this, and just about any sci-fi fan can figure out what happens next. The Planet X inhabitants want to conquer Earth, and now have been given two additional monsters to do so with.


Would you hand over your giant monsters to these men?

Fortunately, the geeky boyfriend Dr. Tetsuo, has a sonic device that disrupts the use of Planet X's devices. Earth quickly duplicates teh sound and causes Planet X's ships to crash and their control of the monsters to be lost. A fight breaks out between Rodan, Godzilla, and King Ghidorah which ends in Ghidorah one again flying off.

Godzilla himself is only a small part of this movie, once again appearing about halfway through. He is onscreen probably less than ten minutes. This is OK though because the title of the movie is "Invasion of Astro Monster" or "Monster Zeo", not "Godzilla vs. Astro Monster" or whatever. Planet X and Ghidorah are the main villains of the story. Still, Big G does have some comedic moments, including using boxing techniques on Ghidorah (complete with footwork), and sitting looking bored out of his mind while under alien control

I'd place this about the same as "Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster". Probably around a 6. The addition of the American actor was pretty cool for an international feel. Sadly, Nick Adams never lived to see the film released in the States, as he died a year or two later of a drug overdose.

Firsts
-attempt at an international feeling film
-direct interaction between humans and an extraterrestrial race

Only
-Japanese Godzilla film to star an American actor

Son Of Godzilla (1967)



The second film done by Jun Fukuda. The first being Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, so you can see where this one will be headed.

Once again, a similar cast is used from the (much better) Ishiro Honda films, including Akihiko Hirata (Dr. "Eyepatch" Serizawa in the original Gojira, Detective Okita in Ghidora The Three Headed Monster among others), Akira Kuto (dorky scientist Tetsuo Teri in Invasion Of Astro Monster), and Akira Takarada (Ogata in the original Gojira, Fuji in Invasion Of Astro Monster among others). Sadly, the cast from the much better movies does not equate to this being a much better movie.

This one takes place on Sollgel Island, which is likely different that the "Devil's Island" inhabited by terrorists, Godzilla, and a giant crab in the last film. On this island, several scientists are trying to perfect a weather device. Once apparently unsuccessful attempt resulted in the creation of giant praying mantises. There are several Zorak jokes that can be made here



But I think I'll just keep going.....

Anyway, Godzilla makes a cameo in the opening segments just long enough to walk into the camera and the title screen. Nosy reporter Goro Maki (Kuto) shows up via parachuting onto the island. After learning what is going on, he sees a hot chick swimming in a nearby river. Nobody believes him and the experiments continue.

The next experiment goes awry when some interference causes a weather balloon to explode, causing a heatwave that lasts for days. This also brings out three more mantises that find a nearby egg. The egg, as anybody who read the title of the film could guess, is the son of Godzilla. Now keep in mind, Godzilla himself is nowhere to be found. So not only is Godzilla responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands, if not millions of innocent people, he's also a deadbeat dad.

Anyways, the egg hatches and Godzilla Jr. crawls around, unable to walk. The mantises eye him hungrily for a while until Big G makes his grand entrance 30 minutes into the film. He hands two of the mantises their asses and the third one flies off.

Before long, Junior is walking normally and being instructed on the finer talents of being a monster by his dad. These of course consist of roaring and belching fire. Junior can't do it at first, and Daddy G has to stomp on his tail to get him to do it. Unfortunately, Junior can't replicate the process later when the escaped mantis returns. The noises from that fight awake the sleeping Spyga, a giant spider.

While Godzilla sleeps (again with the deadbeat dad), Junior runs for his life from Spyga and the Mantis (which sounds like a great band name by the way). Godzilla wakes up and lumbers into battle against them. Meanwhile the humans unleash their weather controller again, this time to freeze the island. Sypga beats the mantis, but before he can chow down on Junior, Godzilla manages to beat him just about the time the snow starts to fall. Ah the irony.

The scientists and the hot chick raft away to safety and get picked up by a submarine. Godzilla and son slowly freeze in each other's arms as the film closes. But don't worry, they're only hibernating.

I can't give this one more than a 2. The plot was only slightly better, but it's still bad effects and the corny segments of 'Zilla training junior results in more headshakes than laughter. It's kind of sad to see the awesome Akihiko Hirata in such crappers as these last two films.

Firsts
-appearances of Minya/Minilla, Kumonga /Spyga(Spider), Kamacuras (Giant Mantis)
-Godzilla appears in the opening credits

Akihiko Hirata role: Dr. Hujisaki

All Monsters Attack (1969)



This was originally released as "Godzilla, Minilla, Gabara: All Monsters Attack" in Japan, but was dubbed into English and released stateside in 1971 as "Godzilla's Revenge". It's quite a misleading title, since Godzilla isn't even the main character, and exists only in the imagination of a kid. Thus he really isn't seeking revenge on anything. But alas that's the least of this movie's problems.

My hopes were raised a bit seeing that this film was directed by Ishiro Honda, which if you've been reading all these you would know he is responsible for the "good" Godzilla movies. However, much of this movie is just recycled footage from the recent Jun Fukuda crapfests "Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster" and "Son Of Godzilla". Another big difference is the change in the music style. Gone are the haunting orchestral marches or the familiar Godzilla main theme. They are replaced with a modern (for its time) jazzy group that sounds more like something out of the 50s Chuck Jones Tom & Jerry episodes.

But enough about that, onto the plot...

Ichiro is a young imaginative boy with a silly hat and very short pants. He's bullied by a group of kids led by Gabera. He tends to daydream about visiting Monster Island and meeting Minya (previously known as Minilla aka Mini Godzilla), the son of Godzilla. He does this because his parents are always busy and never home.

When in his make believe world, Ichiro talks to Minya, who speaks English and sounds eerily similar to Goofy. Minya also has a "bully monster" named Gabera that beats him up. Minya doesn't like to run because he knows Godzilla will think of him as a coward. Yes, that's right. Godzilla, the hero to all kids, throws his son into fights with monsters twice his size because he doesn't want him to be a coward. I guess that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Or cripples you.

Anyway, when in the real world, Ichiro crosses paths with some bankrobbers. You can tell they're bad guys because they wear sunglasses indoors. They kidnap the kid and tie him up. While being held prisoner, Ichiro imagines back into Monster Island where he helps Minya topple Gabera. He uses this as inspiration to break free and run from the robbers throughout their hideout. He eventually makes it out just as the police arrive.

The next day, Ichiro once again is bullied by the real Gabera. But this time he stands up to him and knocks him down. Remember kids, always solve your problems with violence.

The final scenes involve all the kids becoming friends after causing a painter to fall off his ladder into his own paint. Remember kids, always take delight in the mistreatment of others.

Sarcasm aside, this movie was clearly geared towards kids, so I can't grade it in the same light as the other movies. Not even the Jun Fukuda ones. Many kids could relate to the imaginative Ichiro, sans the short pants part. So I give it a 3 due to it just not being in the same "serious" league as the other films.

Firsts
-Godzilla film to have a boy with short pants
-film to recycle footage from past Godzilla movies (Godzilla Raids Again doesn't count because it's a flashback)
-No orchestral score

Onlys
-movie where Godzilla doesn't do anything in the "real world"
-Minilla speaks English
-appearance of Gabera

Godzilla vs. Gigan (1972)



Another directed by Jun Fukuda, which isn't much of an improvement. This is another in the large plate of films that gave Godzilla the goofy camp reputation. Just not a very good film, but watchable if you like the stupid camp entries.

Struggling anime artist (and nehru jacket afficiando) Gengo is hired by a theme park administration to do artwork for them. The theme park's main attraction is a "Godzilla Tower".



For some reason, the boss of the place looks like he's 12, and is very trusting with his secrets to the new guy. All of the park workers wear jumpsuits with matching ascots. By now, this is a universal sign of evil in a Godzilla film.

Things soon go awry when Gengo comes across a mysterious tape reel dropped by a woman. He is actually stuck up for it, thinking a gun is at his back. It turns out to be a corn on the cob, and the would be thief is actually a somewhat bungling overweight hippie with a big appetite. He supplies the comic relief throughout the rest of the film.

It turns out that the mysterious woman's brother disappeared, and was last seen around the park. She believes that the tape has something to do with it.

Anyways, our merry band of misfits, sans the usual annoying-kid-in-short-pants are able to play the tape. Somehow, presumably miles away, Godzilla and Anguilas hear the tape from Monster Island and realize that the world is in danger. To top it off, Godzilla and Anguilas talk in English to each other. A first (and hopefully only) in a 'Zilla film. Minya in "All Monster's Attack/Godzilla's Revenge" doesn't count. Anyways, Anguilas goes of to investigate the noise.

Meanwhile, our heroes look into Gengo's bosses at the park, and find out that 12 year old looking guy is dead. So is his teacher, who also seems to work at the theme park. Something fishy is definitely going on at the theme park!

At the park, the evil kid has another tape, which he calls a "tape of peace". The brother is being held captive for whatever reason.

By this time, Anguilas has made it to shore, but walks into an army of tanks and futuristic (for 1972) weapons. One of the highlights of the movie is in this fight. Not because it's cool, but because a lot of the scenes were actually ripped from 1968's "Destroy All Monsters". So Anguilas is walking around in the dark, but the shots of the tanks firing make it look like broad daylight. Perhaps there was just really weird cloud cover...

In short, Anguilas is driven off. That's rarity in a 'Zilla film for a monster to actually retreat from human resistance. Maybe Anguilas just sucks... Or he just wanted to get Godzilla for his return.

Before long, Gengo & Co. shows up to free the brother. They looks like they're going to get captured, but then the girlfriend shows up (wearing the same outfit as the beginning of the movie, but nobody in this movie ever seems to ever change clothes) and kicks some butt so they can escape.

Godzilla and Anguilas are treading water en route to Japan, and talk some more in Enlgish.

By this time, one of, if not the tape has been played, summoning King Ghidorah and the debuting Gigan, who start wreaking havoc. Again, some fo the footage is ripped from an earlier 'Zilla film, so there's the night/day clash again.

Big G and Anguilas show up for the inevitable tag match. It also turns out that the villains, now revealed to be an alien race trying to destroy civilization so they can migrate from their planet. Their idea of peace apparently involves wiping out cities that can offer resistance. They've been killing humans and then assuming their bodies.

In short, the tag match lasts most of the rest of the movie, and the aliens take potshots at Godilla from the Godzilla Tower... which is equipped with a huge energy beam. The tower is eventually destroyed and the aliens revert back to their cockroach-like appearances in their deaths. Ghidorah and Gigan retreat back off into space, leaving 'Zilla and Anguilas victorious.

This is another one that scores a big fat 2, and further bastardizes the original concept of Godzilla as an indiscriminate killing machine. Just not very good except for the unintentional humor. It's understandably not a very popular entry in the series.

Firsts
-Appearance of Gigan

Only
-Godzilla speaks any kind of English

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)



Better than the previous few entries, but that's not saying much. It still makes this Jun Fukuda's best work. When compared to everything since Destroy All Monsters, it's pretty good though.

The venerable Akihiko Hirata once again plays a scientist (remember he was in the original Gojira as Dr. "Eyepatch" Serizawa), and his real life good friend Hiroshi Koizumi (whom he starred with in Mothra vs. Godzilla and Ghidorah) plays a relative.

Hirata's character, Hideto, is an expert on Space Titanium, which is found in a remote cavern. Don't ask me how "Space Titanium" is mined in a cavern on Earth and not from space, as I did not write this movie. He also carries around a two-piece pipe that has magnetic repulsion capabilities.

Anyways, there is a prophecy that says that when a "black mountain appears in the sky" a monster will come and destroy the land. When "the sun rises in the west" two monsters will come and save everybody.  The two main character (I forget their names) she a swirl of black clouds that look like a mountain in the sky. That rightfully conclude that this must mean the prophecy is coming true.

Cue Godzilla, who rises up out of a mountain and starts destroying everything. However, if you have been watching 'Zilla films, you'd notice that the distinctive roar of this Godzilla is not there. It's more of a screech. Recurring sidekick Anguiras pops up out of the ground and starts fighting him. This is noticed by one of the character... why would Anguiras fight Godzilla, when the two have basically been friends for so long.

"Godzilla" mops the floor with Anguiras, but is soon confronted by Godzilla... who has the familiar roar. A few fire breath blasts later, and it's revealed that the first Godzilla is a robot in disguise. Hideto deduces that Mechagodzilla is made of Space Titanium and is being controlled by a spaceman. He does this without any knowledge of aliens actually being around. Clever guy...


Godzilla and Mechagodzilla fight to a standstill. and Hideto and his family are soon captured. After a few brushes with evil on a cruise, our first hero (from the plane) comes in for the rescue. He has befriended an "Interpol agent" who violates the Godzilla movie code. He's in all black, with sunglasses, and is not a bad guy after all. I kid you not, these guys infiltrate the alien base by calling a password through a solid wall. Keep in mind: These aliens come from outer space (a black hole, they claim) have all sorts of video cameras set up throughout their cavern, can control a Space Titanium robot via voice commands... and their main form of security is a PASSWORD WITHOUT A PEEPHOLE FOR VISUAL VERIFICATION!

In short, our group of heroes use an ancient statue( as well as the gift of song) to awaken King Seesar to defend Japan. King Seesar has the most awesome trait of just about any Kaiju. HE BLOCKS ENERGY BLASTS WITH HIS FACE!!! He can then deflect the blasts back. Too bad he looks like a giant mutant version of the dog Toto.

The real Godzilla, after being hit a few times with lightning, shows up and tagteams with Seesar. MG is able to rock ass on both of them at the same time. Probably because MG is somehow able to regenerate his missile fingers. Godzilla is also scraped and cut several times by a flying MG, making this only the second film where Godzilla actually bleeds (the first being Godzilla vs. Gigan).

But wait, it gets better. Somehow, getting struck several times by lightning grants Godzilla the ability to use magnetism. So he keeps MG from flying off Magneto style, and rips his head off for the three count win. The obligatory ensuing explosion knocks him off into the water.

I give this one about a 5. It's entertaining in a campy sense, and it's good monster schlock fun. But Mothra vs. Godzilla and Ghidorah proved that you can be more entertaining.

Firsts
-appearance of Mechagodzilla
-appearance of King Seesar

Last
-film directed by Jun Fukuda

Only
-Godzilla shows magnetic abilities

Akihiko Hirata Role: Dr. Hideto

Firsts

-film to completely ignore any previous films sans the original. This was a back to basics approach with Godzilla being a nuclear metaphor.
-duplicate title. It was originally released as simply Godzilla, but has been retro-named Return Of Godzilla.
-of the "Heisei" series

It was also one of only three movies to have American footage added to it for an American release. The other two were the original and King Kong vs. Godzilla.

As said above, this movie ignores all other movies except the original. So Japan has not seen or heard from Godzilla in 30 years. That is, until a fishing boat goes missing. Reporter Goro Maki (Ken Tanaka) stumbles across the vessel by accident. All of the crew are dead, apparently killed by some overgrown slug. The slug is killed by the only survivor, Hiroshi Okumura. After being in shock for some time, Hiroshi says that the ship encountered Godzilla.

Hiroshi's story is kept a secret from the public, much to Goro's dismay. Although he does tell Hiroshi's sister Naoko Okumura (Japanese beauty queen Yasuko Sawaguchi) who was afraid her brother was dead. The reason the story is kept a secret is because the press does not want the public to know about Godzilla, and be thrown into a panic. Goro also meets Dr. Hayashida (Yosuke Natsuki, who took over the role meant for his friend Akihiko Nirata) who educates them on what makes Godzilla. Longtime Godzilla fans may recognize Natsuki from Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster.

Things are complicated when Godzilla attacks and destroys a Soviet submarine. The Soviets blame the Americans, and the Americans are afraid of retaliation. It's then that the existence of Godzilla is revealed. A long, exciting* scene ensues of whether nuclear weapons should be used against Godzilla. Japan ultimately forbids it not only out of fear of nuclear effects, but realizing that Godzilla was creating from nuclear obsession.

During this political turmoil, Godzilla surfaces again and attacks a nuclear power plant, and feeds off the radiation. Goro and Dr. Hayashida realize that Godzilla is somehow attracted to the calls of birds flying south. The put in motion a plan to create a synthesized version utilizing a loudspeaker, hoping to create a defense against him.

Godzilla arrives in Tokyo for his big rampage. He attacks a Soviet missile base, which triggers a nuclear failsafe. One Soviet soldier gives his life trying to stop the device, but ultimately fails. Remember that when we get to the American version.

Fortunately, Japan has a secret weapon, the Super-X! The Super-X uses cadmium weapons to poison Godzilla, and actually has the big guy down for the count....

...until the Soviet nuclear missile is shot down from orbit. The radioactive wave revives Godzilla, allowing him to destroy the Super-X and continue on his rampage.

Dr. Hayashida helps equip his artificial bird call, which leads G out of Tokyo, and near a vlocano, where a trap is triggered and Godzilla collapses into the volcano.

I give this one about a 5. It really dragged at times during the political scenes, and only having Godzilla as the monster seemed a bit dull compared to other movies. It doesn't seem to be made clear whether this is the "same" Godzilla as the original, or simply another monster. It is however a solidly executed film by monster schlock standards. Another fun scene is the recreation of the train wreck that was so famously done in the original.

*really, REALLY boring

Far better film than I expected it to be, given the ridiculous premise. This movie never had an official release in the States, other than being broadcast on cable a time or two. It is literally the most difficult film to find any English version of, even with torrents. I was only able to track down a subtitled version. I will go into more detail than usual in this review due to this being so hard to find.

This film is a direct sequel to Return of Godzilla/Godzilla 1985. The climactic scenes are shown while the opening credits roll, right down to Godzilla falling into the volcano. Some of the aftermath is shown with an American reporter talking about the struggle Tokyo has ahead of itself to rebuild.

Some American UN soldiers are scraping up pieces of Godzilla flesh and putting it in cases, presumably for military study. They are killed by a sunglasses-wearing gunmen, who steals the samples.

Dr. Shiragami is an intelligent, daring scientist working in the middle-eastern country of Saradia. He is ready to return him with his daughter, Erika (played by Yasuko Sawaguchi from the previous film). Sadly, the lab they work at is bombed and Erika is killed. Flash forward to the year 1990. A Japanese company is perfecting a "nuclear eating" bacteria. Not only do they see this as a defense against nuclear explosions, but a potential weapon against Godzilla should he return.

Dr. Sheragami is now semi-active in the field of science. He is called upon to continue his work on Godzilla cells from the years past. He declines, blaming his work for the loss of his daughter. He is visited by two women, one of whom (Miki) is a powerful psychic. Miki makes mention that one of Sheragami's roses is calling his name. Sheragami comes to believe that Erika's spirit is still living in one of his rose bushes.

Before long, Dr. Sheragami changes his mind, and joins the Godzilla bacteria project. He secretly blends the 'Zilla cells with the rose bush he believes is inhabited by Erika. Seems like a perfectly logical thing to do... take the only remnant of your daughter and mutate it with Godzilla. I'm sure any loving father would have come to the same decision.

Word gets out that the doctor has the bacteria, and two BioMajor agents (an American based science group with terrorist tactics) break in to steal it. They are caught by the rogue agent from the beginning of the film (who shall henceforth be known as Ringo due to his resemblance to a secret agent version of Ringo Starr) and a firefight breaks out. The fight is broken up by large mutated vines that ensnare and kill one of the BioMajors. The other jumps out the window as Ringo is grabbed. Ringo is able to free himself, but fails at retrieving the bacteria.

The next morning, Dr, Sheragami's lab is in shreds, with a huge hole made in the wall. There are also little bits of mutant plant and human remains littered about. The doctor's creation has broken free, and soon takes root in the shallow ocean in the form of a giant rose. Sheragami confesses his experiments, and names the plant Biollante, after a plant in Norse mythology that had a human soul. I've never hear that in Norse mythology, but my knowledge of Norse mythos is limited to Thor comic books.

Japan then gets a demand from BioMajor that they hand over the anti-nuke bacteria. They have set bombs around the volcano where Godzilla is imprisoned, and will free him if they do not comply. How they were able to plant the many thousands of tons of explosives necessary without being noticed is never explained... Japan agrees, and the remaining BioMajor thief from the lab shows up to collect the bacteria. Ringo shows up, kills the agent, and runs off with the bacteria. The volcano bombs are detonated, and Godzilla is freed to rampage once again. Biollante somehow hears Godzilla, and begins "calling out to him", presumably psychically. 

The Japanese Government unleash the Super X2, a stronger version of the Super-X with the ability to channel back Godzilla's breath attack. It is also controlled remotely so it's crew doesn't suffer the same fate as the original. And it does a good job against Godzilla... until the main weapon starts to melt and it is forced to retreat.

Godzilla eventually confronts Biollante. It soon becomes apparent that G's atomic breath has a strange effect of Biollante's physiology. Biollante flares up in a big ball of flame and sparks flutter into the sky.

Japan has now assembled several rockets with the anti-nuke bacteria, and are ready to use it on Godzilla. They lure Godzilla into the target area and hit him with four of the rockets. One even places squarely in his mouth. Unfortunately, the bacteria seems to have no effect. It's theorized that since Godzilla is cold-blooded, his lower body temperature may be slowing or stopping the bacteria. They enact a plan to use microwave weapons to increase G's body temperature.

They fail miserably... until Biollante returns in an evolved, more mutated, and far more ugly form. The two monsters duel, with Biollante now dwarfing Godzilla. Eventually though, Godzilla's breath destroys Biollante... but the struggle was enough to raise G's temperature to the point where the bacteria takes effect, and he falls into the ocean. As Biollante burns to death, Dr. Sheragami sees the image of his daughter rise into the sky, thanking him.

Sheragami is hailed as a national hero by his boss, who pleads with him to continue his reasearch. But Sheragami vows to end his experiments. It's the attitude of using science to create weapons that created Godzilla and Biollante in the first place. As Sheragami walks away, he is suddenly shot by Ringo. Dr. Kirishimi (Sheragami's assistant through all this) catches up to Ringo and fights him. Ringo looks to have won, but he is standing on one of the microwave pads used against Godzilla, and is incinerated.

Kirishimi (who had formed a relationship with Miki's teacher)  realizes that there is good and evil everywhere in the world, and decides not to go with her to America. Suddenly, Godzilla leers above them... his temperature lowered by crashing into the water. But Godzilla swims out to sea, possibly aware of his temperature condition.

Sheragami's body is placed in a tent, presumably awaiting the return home for burial, when Erika voices over the moral of the film: How humans should remeber this day and rise above their petty selfishness. The film ends with a shot of Godzilla continuing to swim out to sea.

Roll credits....

This film had very good effects when compared to the previous installments. Godzilla still did ultimately look like a man in a suit, it's just a really good suit. Biollante is truly one of the ugliest creations ever put into a 'Zilla film, and probably would legitimately give young children nightmares.


"It's as if the Little Shop Of Horrors plant were designed by Satan..."

Overall this is a better film than expected. Good effects (real helicopters and jets used!), good directing, and a good humanistic theme despite the wacky premise of a soul taking residence in a plant. I give this one a 6. As I said before, this one is very hard to find in the States. But given one of the plotlines involves what are essentially terrorists with American ties, it's easy to see why.

Only
-appearance of Biollante, though the history is used in a future film

Overall I liked this a lot better than GvKG. This movie is especially notable for the appearance of a new Kaiju: Battra, the "Anti-Mothra".

A meteor strikes the Earth, uncovering a giant egg. This is of course a Mothra Egg. Keep in mind that these Heisei films ignore all the classic movies sans the original Godzilla, so this is a retelling of Mothra.

A Japanese Indiana Jones (Takuya), his ex-wife, and an assistant from the Maratumo company (Kenji) leave to explore the island. Mr. Maratumo sees the egg as a chance for profit (possibly a thrwoback to the 1964 film). The three meet the Mothra Twins, who tell them the story of Mothra and Battra. Mothra and Battra are the antithesis of each other, with Mothra helping nature and Battra being wrath. However Battra went mad and started destroying eveything. Mothra fought to stop Battra, and the two eventually lay dormant for millennia.


Battra, the not very nice Anti-Mothra

The other problem the meteor caused is it awoke Godzilla, who always seems cranky when he wakes up. Godzilla and Battra (still in larva stage) fight in the ocean and collapse in an underwater volcano. Their appearance has one of my favorite lines in all of Giant Monster filmmaking.

"What is it? Do you think it could be a giant monster traveling belowe the surface?"

Takuya and his ex return to Japan with the Mothra Twins, but Kenji takes them and presents them to Maratumo as an opportunity for commercial spokespeople. Naturally, the Twins do not want this, and are trying to warn people that Mothra will attack if mankind does not watch themselves. Indeed Mothra does show up in larva form and starts trashing the city. When she sees the Twins are OK, she starts cocooning herself.

Shortly, Godzilla and Battra (in adult form) both reappear. Mothra hatches, and starts combatting Battra.  Godzilla shows up, and the final 20-30 minutes of the film is a three way dance between them. One of the better booked fights in all of Giant Monster movies.

In the fight, Battra and Mothra eventually put their thousands of years of issues aside and double team on G. They carry him out to see, but Battra is mortally wounded in the struggle.

This one earns a solid 7. The story is passable sci-fi, and the effects still have that "guy in a suit" look, but this was still before computer effects were the norm in filmmaking of course. And the final throwdown between the monsters is good Kaiju fun. You have to be a Giant Monster fan to like it, but as far as Giant Monster movies go it's definitely high on the list.

Firsts
-appearance of Mothra in the Heisei series

Only
-appearance of Battra