The Godzilla Thread

[Zandrax]

he knows his godzilla.  some people do take things a bit too seriously though.

I'll never understand getting mad over pardoy/mocking. I'm a huge Star Wars geek, and Empire Strikes Back is my favorite movie in the history of time. But you bet I loved the Rifftrax for it. I only get mad when stuff is recreated or added on in a "serious" manner that winds up degrading the original...

...like the 1998 American Godzilla for example...

I'll go you one further, I grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and I love Shakespeare's plays (and all other Renaissance drama) however there isn't a play of his I've been to since I was little that I've not added snark to as it progresses (something that many of us who grew up in Stratford did and do).

What Mike et al did has a pretty long tradition stretching at least as far back as the Southbank and The Globe.

Now back to the little Japanese fellas in rubber dinosaur suits.  

You can find the Siskel & Ebert review of the MST Movie online somewhere. I think it was Ebert who admitted to not knowing the show very well but basically nailed it when it comes to MST3K's appeal. They do what many movie fans do, strike back at bad movies by talking back to them.

If there ever is a MST reunion, Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster is ripe for the pickins.

toho wont ever let that happen.  there only hope is probably king kong vs godzilla which is owned by universal for a  few more years, even that though i would give slim odds and toho might still let loose a lawsuit.  (although i really dont understand the whole licensing thing myself, but im fairly confident that sea monster and megalon were probably borderline illegal when they were done in the first place, and we all know what happened to the megalon dvd)

If I understand correctly, the only real legality to be broadcast was for the station to have broadcast rights to the movie. This is of course why so many movies were able to be show on TV via MST3K, but not released on DVD. But I'm no lawyer and don't even play one on TV, so there's probably a lot more that I don't know.

[gojikranz]

oh thats probably true ya broadcast rights are easier than dvd rights.  i just know i have a copy of sea monster and the credits sequence on it is from some unknown company and has never been seen on any real release of the movie so i kinda assume someone was doing something under the table there.

and megalon has a long history of people thinking it is in public domain but apparently it never really was just noone really paid attention.

[Zandrax]

oh thats probably true ya broadcast rights are easier than dvd rights.  i just know i have a copy of sea monster and the credits sequence on it is from some unknown company and has never been seen on any real release of the movie so i kinda assume someone was doing something under the table there.

and megalon has a long history of people thinking it is in public domain but apparently it never really was just noone really paid attention.

If memory serves, Sea Monster's credit sequence had scenes from Son Of Godzilla. I must confess that I did not use the "regular" version of Sea Monster that is readily available, but used the MST episode.

[gbeenie]

I have repeatedly advocated for a RiffTrax of Godzilla Vs. The Smog Monster.

[Zandrax]

Anyhoo, back to the reviews...

Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster (1964)



I would say overall Mothra vs. Godzilla is a better film. This one has its moments, but the campiness that wound up plaguing the franchise starts to show here. Yes it's funny, but that winds up making it more funny than entertaining. Much of the same cast is used from MvG, once again playing different parts.

This movie centers around a meteor crashing to Earth in the opening minutes, carrying Ghidorah (or Ghidrah in the original American release). As usual Godzilla doesn't show up until 30-40 minutes into the film, after Mothra and Rodan. There is also a subplot involving the assassination of a Martian princess. I think the writers were trying to put in new environments rather than just "Giant Monster crawls out of the sea".

This movie is also Godzilla's face turn. Godzilla and Rodan are fighting each other while Ghidorah wreaks havoc on Tokyo. Mothra (or Larvra since it's still a Caterpillar), being good from the start, runs in on the Godzilla/Rodan fight and cuts a promo saying that they should all team up against Ghidorah. They refuse and Mothra goes off by herself to fight Ghidorah. Of course, Mothra gets her ass handed to her, but 'Zilla and Rodan run in to save her. Big fight ensues, with Ghidorah eventually flying off with his tails between his legs.

I'd give this one about a 6. It's entertaining, but the campiness detracts from it.

The original Japanes title of Ghidorah was "Three Giant Monsters: The Great Battle". The Japanese version is on the disc I have, but I may not even watch it. According to the commentary, even the Japanese director Ishiro Honda was said to prefer the American version. Whatever edits made weren't siginificant to the plot, so it sounds like it would largely be the same movie.

Firsts
-Appearance of King Ghidorah (though not called "King" at this point)
-Godzilla acting as a savior rather than villain.
-Godzilla teaming with other monsters
-Appearance of Rodan in a Godzilla film
-First of many films to have alien characters
-Godzilla's name is not in the title

Akihiko Hirata Role: Newspaper Chief Okita

[gojikranz]

ghidora is a bad ass and a real masterwork of japanese suit works the amount of wires they had to use to get all those heads tails and wings going is pretty boggling and you never spot them.  but the movie is a bit weaker than mothra.  i prefer the japanese version just cause i dont care for dubbing (the faeries do not say "godzilla what terrible language!" and the princess is from venus in that one not that that really changed things) the cuts are minor but i think there were some wierd things like scene swapping that i prefered the japanese version on   i'll go 7 of 10 some real nice action but it will all be surpassed very soon....

[Zandrax]

ghidora is a bad ass and a real masterwork of japanese suit works the amount of wires they had to use to get all those heads tails and wings going is pretty boggling and you never spot them.  but the movie is a bit weaker than mothra.  i prefer the japanese version just cause i dont care for dubbing (the faeries do not say "godzilla what terrible language!" and the princess is from venus in that one not that that really changed things) the cuts are minor but i think there were some wierd things like scene swapping that i prefered the japanese version on   i'll go 7 of 10 some real nice action but it will all be surpassed very soon....

The effects were very good for it's time. I've never been into Ghidorah, maybe because I saw him get his ass handed to him so many times as a kid. but I understand the likability of the suit. By the time King Ghidorah came around, there was Godzilla (Giant Lizard), Rodan (Pteridoctyl like thing), Mothra, Varan and a few other kaiju that I can't go by memory. Naturally you have to strive to make any new monsters different and interesting from the ones already created, and Ghidorah is definitely memorable in his look.

[Zandrax]

Invasion Of Astro-Monster (1965)



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 DVD 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 actors 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. There is a funny exchange where Glenn asks why they don't defend themselves against Ghidorah. The Controller deadpans "If you have an idea how, we'd love to hear it". I think that scene came off more serious in the Japanese version but it's beena  while.

Anyway, the humans agree to these, 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. Planet X uses a mind control device to control the three monsters, and they wreak havoc on Earth.


Would you trust these men with your giant monsters?

Fortunately, Dr. Tetsuo (geeky boyfriend of Fuji's sister) has a sonic device that disrupts the use of Planet X's devices. Earth quickly duplicates the 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 Zero", 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 fancy 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. I could go into a rant about the many years it would take for a rocket to reach Jupiter, but this is science fiction and we really shouldn't sweat the details that would bog down the movie.

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 in a lead

[Hebs]

I like your Kaiju Big Battel avatar, Zandrax

Unfortunately, Toho lawyers' just ordered a cease and desist for the RealGodzilla.com

It was pretty funny while it lasted.

http://www.tofugu.com/2009/04/30/how-godzilla-affects-my-daily-commute/

[Henry88]

I like your Kaiju Big Battel avatar, Zandrax

Unfortunately, Toho lawyers' just ordered a cease and desist for the RealGodzilla.com

It was pretty funny while it lasted.

http://www.tofugu.com/2009/04/30/how-godzilla-affects-my-daily-commute/

cant they just give it a rest

[gojikranz]

monster zero is my favorite godzilla sequel.  everything about it is perfect to me.  i love the look of planet X and the rocket just gorgeuous.  the design of the aliens and their base is also very pleasing to me.  compared to ghidora the monster battles are far better i feel and no mothra which is a plus in my book.  this is the one other film that i prefer the english version cause you really need to have nick adams original voice to appreciate it (check out frankenstein conquers the world for more nick). 

i think the rest of the cast is great.  akira takarada is back akira kubo another classic godzilla actor is here.  yoshio tsuchiya(classic kurosawa veteran) gives his first of many great performances in a godzilla movie as the X commander.  And Kumi Mizuno is the all time godzilla babe, noone looks better than her as far as im concerned and she and nick have a good chemistry which was apparently realized off screen as well.

Ifukube's music is at its best here as well the monster zero march is probably his best work for the entire series and will be showing up a lot after this one.

just a great fun ride i unabashedly give this 10/10, and i will never call it invasion of astro monster it will forever be monster zero.

P.S. some say nick adams was murdered its one of the great unsolved mysterys.

[Zandrax]

monster zero is my favorite godzilla sequel.  everything about it is perfect to me.  i love the look of planet X and the rocket just gorgeuous.  the design of the aliens and their base is also very pleasing to me.  compared to ghidora the monster battles are far better i feel and no mothra which is a plus in my book.  this is the one other film that i prefer the english version cause you really need to have nick adams original voice to appreciate it (check out frankenstein conquers the world for more nick). 

i think the rest of the cast is great.  akira takarada is back akira kubo another classic godzilla actor is here.  yoshio tsuchiya(classic kurosawa veteran) gives his first of many great performances in a godzilla movie as the X commander.  And Kumi Mizuno is the all time godzilla babe, noone looks better than her as far as im concerned and she and nick have a good chemistry which was apparently realized off screen as well.

Ifukube's music is at its best here as well the monster zero march is probably his best work for the entire series and will be showing up a lot after this one.

just a great fun ride i unabashedly give this 10/10, and i will never call it invasion of astro monster it will forever be monster zero.

P.S. some say nick adams was murdered its one of the great unsolved mysterys.

I am factoring in "camp" in my reviews. I don't mind camp, but in order to truly grade these in the same vein as the original (which was anything but campy) I just factor that in a bit negatively. I agree that there was good chemistry between Adams and Mizuno, which is interesting considering they were speaking entirely different languages.

I have heard the rumors that Adams was murdered. I seem to recall Robert Conrad (one of Nick Adams' closest friends) saying that he didn't believe it because Adams liked his drugs, and it was just an unfortunate accident. Plus has there really been a motive revealed, or any real theory? It really is a shame though, because he did have that mid 20th Century action hero look.

[gojikranz]

I am factoring in "camp" in my reviews. I don't mind camp, but in order to truly grade these in the same vein as the original (which was anything but campy) I just factor that in a bit negatively.

I can see that.  i said in my first that there is really no match to the original so i will be grading them more on their own.  and if its 60-70s godzilla they were made to be entertaining and fun so a bit of silliness would be expected (it is japan after all).  but hey at least godzilla isnt a super hero at this point (he just hates ghidora more than man)

i have a feeling i will be a bit more apologetic towards the coming set of films...

[Zandrax]

Pretty bad.

First off, I cheated on this one and watched the Mystery Science Theater episode that featured this. Though that really doesn't change this from being a bad movie.

This film was not directed by Ishiro Honda, so I think that is one of the main reasons why it's so bad. Also, gone are the aliens, extraterrestrial monsters, clever scientists, anti nuclear themes, decent scripts, or any of the other stuff that made even campy Godzilla movies enjoyable. Maybe part of the issue is this was originally intended to not be a Godzilla film, but one for the Japanese King Kong.

The film opened with an attack on a boat that allegedly caused the disappearance of a brother of one of the main characters. Thus, he and his two bungling buddies decide to steal a boat so they can find his missing brother. They decide to do this after Epic Failing at a dance club. Of course I'm not joking.

Our trio of knuckleheads find a boat that happens to be occupied, and are held at gunpoint by the "owner", who then politely offers to let them stay the night. When morning comes, the boat is at sea and they are hearing reports of a bank robbery and boat disappearance. Before long a storm sets in, and the boat is destroyed, washing our wannabe rescuers to the obligatory uncharted nearby monster-infested island. This island however, has some secret terrorist organization that kidnaps natives and forces them to help build their nuclear reactors. A nearby giant crab keeps people from escaping, and the terrorists use some sort of Giant Crab Repellent to keep the monster at bay. I'm still not joking, why do you ask?

Anyways, Godzilla is found napping in a cave. After figuring out several times that the boat "owner" was really the bank robber, one of them decides that waking up Godzilla would be a good idea. They utilize a lightning storm to wake up Godzilla, likely pissing him off since who would want to be woken up by a 1.21 gigawatt electric shock? Godzilla and The Sea Monster (known as Ebirah in the Japanese version) fight to standstill.

Meanwhile, the brother with the lost brother winds up on a nearby island where Mothra resides, and she's also sleeping. One of Godzilla's ensuing rampages (triggered by attacks from jets and a giant bird) sets off a chain reaction that results in a nuclear reactor going critical. Fortunately, Mothra wakes up just in time to fly in and grab all the people before the explosion.

Truly a bad film in just about every sense. I'd give this a 1, but the whole giant crab thing made me chuckle, especially when Godzilla uses his fire breath and turns the crab red. So it gets a 2. Not even Akihiko Hirata's awesome could save this one.

Firsts
-Jun Fukuda directing
-monster Godzilla fights has no truly explained origin

Akihiko Hirata role: Red Bamboo Officer

[gojikranz]

okay here is where we split.  sea monster is one of my favs.  i do think a lot is lost watching it only MST3ked there are a great number of scenes cut that i noticed i think there was even a joke about how something didnt make sense that i knew was explained if a scene hadnt been cut which annoyed me(dont worry im not stuart galbraith IV i like the episode still but ya know). 

but the worst thing is that on mst3k the film looks terrible and this is a film i like the design of (the little of it there is) a lot.  i love the look of the red bamboo base and the doors like the spinning door and the nuclear generator and all the different colored pipes it gives a kids imagination lots to work with (yes i watched this as a child which biases me some i will give). 

also the dubbing is pretty annoying on this one i really dont like peoples english voices here.  though it will only get worse.

and i love love love the ending with the guy reaching for hte button as it slips further and further away and trying ot get all the people in the basket and godzilla is fighting the whole time.  then the ticking and the bomb and oh i think that whole sequence is great.

there are some odd bits like godzilla being attracted to daiyo that are clearly leftovers from the kong idea.  and pair bambi are no peanuts (the faeries).  the music is a little bit lesser this time around as well  sato is back and its allright but theres not that much memorable from it. 
ebirah is kinda  weak monster that ill give you but the underwater stuff was pretty well done, and giant condor is silly.

anyways once again i unabashedly enjoy this one a lot, plus my girl kumi mizuno is in it(her last monster movie until godzilla x mechagodzilla in 2002). 7.5 of 10.