55 reviews
Version: Japanese with English Subtitles (Madman's R4 DVD)
'Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla' opens with a typhoon hitting southern Japan, and then a giant monster turns up to lay waste to a small town - everyone runs away - except for the one guy who thinks he can save his house from being stepped on - and the 'Anti-Megalosaurus Force' is called in, and eventually runs away, but not before their commander, Akane Yashiro (Yumiko Shaku) accidentally causes the deaths of several of her troops. Soon we learn the monster is Godzilla, and according to this movie's time-line, Godzilla attacked Japan only once, when he first appeared in 1954. Other monsters have attacked Japan since, but none have been as destructive as Godzilla.
With Godzilla's reappearance, those wacky Japanese scientists come up with their best plan yet - they're going to build a Mechagodzilla, with added firepower, and controlled by a 'DNA Computer' using DNA extracted from the original Godzilla's skeleton. Apparently by doing this, Mechagodzilla can think like Godzilla, and will have a reaction time markedly better than that of a normal computer. Obviously this a bad idea, but these Godzilla movies need bad-ideas for the movie to proceed.
On the human side of things, Akane Yashiro is assigned to the Kiryu Squadron (Mechagodzilla Squadron), and is met with hostility from her comrades their. Tokumitsu Yuhara, one of the Mechagodzilla scientists spends most of the movie chatting up Akane, while Akane tries to get Tokumitsu's daughter, Sara, to open up to her. Awww, how sweet.
Enough of the love-ins, lets get down to some city crushing! The plot is simple, and like several other Godzilla movies, makes some interesting points that it completely skips in favour of monster action (in this case, Japan's rearmament is mentioned, but only briefly), of which is there is plenty. In their respective adventures, Godzilla and his mechanical cousin destroy a few cities and make a mockery of Japan's defence forces (just another day on the job for Godzilla), and get down to one way-cool giant-monster fight scene at the end. Did I mention the fight-scene at is way-cool?
My only problem with the movie is the use of the Godzilla suit: there are times when it is plainly obvious that the Godzilla suit is empty, and not for any complicated reason - he just stands there motionless. Otherwise, there was a fair amount of CGI effects, but they were done well enough for me to say "this movie is awesome".
8/10 - This movie is awesome. Godzilla fans should check it out.
'Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla' opens with a typhoon hitting southern Japan, and then a giant monster turns up to lay waste to a small town - everyone runs away - except for the one guy who thinks he can save his house from being stepped on - and the 'Anti-Megalosaurus Force' is called in, and eventually runs away, but not before their commander, Akane Yashiro (Yumiko Shaku) accidentally causes the deaths of several of her troops. Soon we learn the monster is Godzilla, and according to this movie's time-line, Godzilla attacked Japan only once, when he first appeared in 1954. Other monsters have attacked Japan since, but none have been as destructive as Godzilla.
With Godzilla's reappearance, those wacky Japanese scientists come up with their best plan yet - they're going to build a Mechagodzilla, with added firepower, and controlled by a 'DNA Computer' using DNA extracted from the original Godzilla's skeleton. Apparently by doing this, Mechagodzilla can think like Godzilla, and will have a reaction time markedly better than that of a normal computer. Obviously this a bad idea, but these Godzilla movies need bad-ideas for the movie to proceed.
On the human side of things, Akane Yashiro is assigned to the Kiryu Squadron (Mechagodzilla Squadron), and is met with hostility from her comrades their. Tokumitsu Yuhara, one of the Mechagodzilla scientists spends most of the movie chatting up Akane, while Akane tries to get Tokumitsu's daughter, Sara, to open up to her. Awww, how sweet.
Enough of the love-ins, lets get down to some city crushing! The plot is simple, and like several other Godzilla movies, makes some interesting points that it completely skips in favour of monster action (in this case, Japan's rearmament is mentioned, but only briefly), of which is there is plenty. In their respective adventures, Godzilla and his mechanical cousin destroy a few cities and make a mockery of Japan's defence forces (just another day on the job for Godzilla), and get down to one way-cool giant-monster fight scene at the end. Did I mention the fight-scene at is way-cool?
My only problem with the movie is the use of the Godzilla suit: there are times when it is plainly obvious that the Godzilla suit is empty, and not for any complicated reason - he just stands there motionless. Otherwise, there was a fair amount of CGI effects, but they were done well enough for me to say "this movie is awesome".
8/10 - This movie is awesome. Godzilla fans should check it out.
- AwesomeWolf
- Dec 28, 2004
- Permalink
GODZILLA AGAINST MECHAGODZILLA (2002) Like others in the Godzilla series, this new entry establishes itself as a direct sequel to the 1954 original, even using digitally altered footage from that film, as well as clips from MOTHRA and WAR OF THE GARGANTUAS to once again illustrate Japan's troubled history with unruly giant creatures. When Godzilla once again threatens her shores, Japan's female prime minister (Kumi Mizuno) calls together her greatest scientific minds, including cyber-biologist Tokimitsu Yuhara (Shin Takuma), whose inclusion in this group gives his precocious daughter Sara (Kana Onodera) a backstage pass to witness the creation of a new bioweapon developed using the recently-uncovered original Godzilla bones.
The elite JSDF team assembled to pilot the machine is augmented by the lone survivor, Akane Yashiro (Yumiko Shaku), of an eight minute opening Maser-gun battle with Godzilla, her presence made all the more uncomfortable by the vindictive suspicions of a teammate whose brother perished in that disaster. Christened Mechagodzilla, this robo-beast amounts to the re-arming of Japan, something the rest of the world finds rather dismaying, and when the unit's memories of its demise in 1954 are stirred by Godzilla's roar, the battle's a draw, the combatants stand down, and the Prime Minister's out of a job. When Godzilla returns, there's no choice but to reprogram MechaGodzilla and send it back into battle, during which, not surprisingly, Akane herself must take the helm to not only save her country and discourage the naysayers, but to prove to herself - and, of course, to young, conveniently motherless Sara - that no life is worthless. Both of the 'final' shots in the movie - take your pick; there's a sequence after the closing credits - are fitting.
GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS director Nasaki Tezuka returns to the series with a highly worthy effort, finding a pitch-perfect blend of suits and CGI in his impressive battle sequences, while allowing for reflection (as always) on Japan's nuclear-tainted history, nodding to the ever- increasing empowerment of women in Japanese society (though neatly reminding us that they, too can fail on a large scale before earning redemption) and, as in GODZILLA 2000 and many others in the series, cleverly constructing a modern family dynamic between the pilot, the scientist and his daughter.
People groused that Shinsuke Kaneko's GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORA: ALL OUT GIANT MONSTERS ATTACK, while simultaneously jump starting a moribund franchise with still-vastly-improved visual flare, lacked the dynamism and realism of his 90's GAMERA trilogy, but they were missing the point. Save the first film, GODZILLA has always been for kids, maybe not as young as the original GAMERA series of the 60's, but kids nonetheless. And, I suppose, kids-at-heart. The stories can be pure formula, the character dynamics refried from earlier entries (in fact, many of the most subtle FX in this movie, simple dialogue scenes on catwalks around the Mechagodzilla hangar with the behemoth in the background, are simply more convincing updates of scenes we saw in the 70's), but as long as there's enough razzle-dazzle and a vicarious point-of-entry for the kids, the movie's probably a done deal in the eyes of Toho executives. Here, the Sara character is our vicarious tour guide to the inner workings of the JSDF and all its stoic patriotism (even her friends, walking home with her from school, are slack-jawed at her privileged access to headquarters).
Where the GAMERA updates were intended to make full use of the character's added features (mainly flight) and the advances in modern special effects and high-concept screenplay writing to draw in more savvy audiences, the Millennium Godzilla series, like those that came before, have always retained a comparatively simple modus operandi: appeal to the kids, and make the adults wish they were still kids. On this level, GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA probably surpasses the previous three entries and at a lean, nicely paced 96 minutes (88 in its American incarnation I'm told; WHY DO THEY BOTHER!), it's certainly the easiest on the behind and quietly sets up the sequel, GODZILLA, MOTHRA, MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. (2003). I give it an 8.
The elite JSDF team assembled to pilot the machine is augmented by the lone survivor, Akane Yashiro (Yumiko Shaku), of an eight minute opening Maser-gun battle with Godzilla, her presence made all the more uncomfortable by the vindictive suspicions of a teammate whose brother perished in that disaster. Christened Mechagodzilla, this robo-beast amounts to the re-arming of Japan, something the rest of the world finds rather dismaying, and when the unit's memories of its demise in 1954 are stirred by Godzilla's roar, the battle's a draw, the combatants stand down, and the Prime Minister's out of a job. When Godzilla returns, there's no choice but to reprogram MechaGodzilla and send it back into battle, during which, not surprisingly, Akane herself must take the helm to not only save her country and discourage the naysayers, but to prove to herself - and, of course, to young, conveniently motherless Sara - that no life is worthless. Both of the 'final' shots in the movie - take your pick; there's a sequence after the closing credits - are fitting.
GODZILLA VS. MEGAGUIRUS director Nasaki Tezuka returns to the series with a highly worthy effort, finding a pitch-perfect blend of suits and CGI in his impressive battle sequences, while allowing for reflection (as always) on Japan's nuclear-tainted history, nodding to the ever- increasing empowerment of women in Japanese society (though neatly reminding us that they, too can fail on a large scale before earning redemption) and, as in GODZILLA 2000 and many others in the series, cleverly constructing a modern family dynamic between the pilot, the scientist and his daughter.
People groused that Shinsuke Kaneko's GODZILLA, MOTHRA, KING GHIDORA: ALL OUT GIANT MONSTERS ATTACK, while simultaneously jump starting a moribund franchise with still-vastly-improved visual flare, lacked the dynamism and realism of his 90's GAMERA trilogy, but they were missing the point. Save the first film, GODZILLA has always been for kids, maybe not as young as the original GAMERA series of the 60's, but kids nonetheless. And, I suppose, kids-at-heart. The stories can be pure formula, the character dynamics refried from earlier entries (in fact, many of the most subtle FX in this movie, simple dialogue scenes on catwalks around the Mechagodzilla hangar with the behemoth in the background, are simply more convincing updates of scenes we saw in the 70's), but as long as there's enough razzle-dazzle and a vicarious point-of-entry for the kids, the movie's probably a done deal in the eyes of Toho executives. Here, the Sara character is our vicarious tour guide to the inner workings of the JSDF and all its stoic patriotism (even her friends, walking home with her from school, are slack-jawed at her privileged access to headquarters).
Where the GAMERA updates were intended to make full use of the character's added features (mainly flight) and the advances in modern special effects and high-concept screenplay writing to draw in more savvy audiences, the Millennium Godzilla series, like those that came before, have always retained a comparatively simple modus operandi: appeal to the kids, and make the adults wish they were still kids. On this level, GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA probably surpasses the previous three entries and at a lean, nicely paced 96 minutes (88 in its American incarnation I'm told; WHY DO THEY BOTHER!), it's certainly the easiest on the behind and quietly sets up the sequel, GODZILLA, MOTHRA, MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. (2003). I give it an 8.
- BrianThibodeau
- Aug 24, 2004
- Permalink
Now this is definitely cool. At this time, Toho is once again reviving some of their classic creatures to costar with the King of the Monsters, this time the mechanical doppleganger Mechagodzilla. Like the other films of the Millennium series, this one is a direct sequel to the 1954 classic, but it also makes references to other classic Toho films. Get ready to crumble because this is Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla!
Plot: Nearly fifty years after the attack on Tokyo back in 1954, a second Godzilla creature has risen from the depths to challenge mankind. Desperate, the government assembles the greatest minds of Japan to create a weapon to defeat the beast: the cyborg monster Mechagodzilla (also called Kiryu for some reason). Piloting the massive mech is Akane Yashiro, a fairly complicated woman struggling to find her place in the world. But when Mechagodzilla starts to have a few nasty glitches, can the government find a way to bring it under control? It all leads up to the thrilling building-smashing showdown between Godzilla and his mechanical double.
This is a fine entry to the giant-sized series. The Godzilla suit is fantastic, one of the best ever and Godzilla himself is an awesome force of destruction. Mechagodzilla has an impressive design, a cool set of weaponry, and is actually given something of a personality. Most of the effects and miniatures are excellent and the action scenes are a true delight to watch.
The human characters are actually pretty interesting, which is something one hardly gets in the Godzilla films. Akane is surprisingly complex and has lots of good emotional qualities. She's kind, sympathetic, tough, and level-headed, which makes her far more superior to the arrogant and vengeful female lead of "Godzilla vs Megaguirus." The other characters are good to like Dr. Yuhara and his daughter who befriend Akane. Dialog between the characters is fairly top-notch, hardly any exaggeration even in the English dubbing. I just wish that they'd stop calling Mechagodzilla "Kiryu."
While this movie may leave you wishing for a little more, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is a satisfying entry in the classic Toho film series. At least it has a sequel (Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S.) unlike the other Millennium films. Overall, not bad so check it out. All hail the King of the Monsters.
Plot: Nearly fifty years after the attack on Tokyo back in 1954, a second Godzilla creature has risen from the depths to challenge mankind. Desperate, the government assembles the greatest minds of Japan to create a weapon to defeat the beast: the cyborg monster Mechagodzilla (also called Kiryu for some reason). Piloting the massive mech is Akane Yashiro, a fairly complicated woman struggling to find her place in the world. But when Mechagodzilla starts to have a few nasty glitches, can the government find a way to bring it under control? It all leads up to the thrilling building-smashing showdown between Godzilla and his mechanical double.
This is a fine entry to the giant-sized series. The Godzilla suit is fantastic, one of the best ever and Godzilla himself is an awesome force of destruction. Mechagodzilla has an impressive design, a cool set of weaponry, and is actually given something of a personality. Most of the effects and miniatures are excellent and the action scenes are a true delight to watch.
The human characters are actually pretty interesting, which is something one hardly gets in the Godzilla films. Akane is surprisingly complex and has lots of good emotional qualities. She's kind, sympathetic, tough, and level-headed, which makes her far more superior to the arrogant and vengeful female lead of "Godzilla vs Megaguirus." The other characters are good to like Dr. Yuhara and his daughter who befriend Akane. Dialog between the characters is fairly top-notch, hardly any exaggeration even in the English dubbing. I just wish that they'd stop calling Mechagodzilla "Kiryu."
While this movie may leave you wishing for a little more, Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla is a satisfying entry in the classic Toho film series. At least it has a sequel (Godzilla Tokyo S.O.S.) unlike the other Millennium films. Overall, not bad so check it out. All hail the King of the Monsters.
- kevinxirau
- Mar 22, 2012
- Permalink
This is the third Godzilla film of the Millennium Series. It is made as a direct sequel to the original 1954 Godzilla film, and, in my opinion, is the best film to do so in the Millennium Series. Godzilla's first appearance in this movie has him rising out of the ocean, scaring a couple of soldiers, and beginning his rampage in Japan. As a result, government officials talk about Godzilla's first attack in 1954 and how it was destroyed by the Oxygen Destroyer, alarmed that this monster has mysteriously returned. They even referenced the monsters Gaira from "War of the Gargantuas" (1966) and Mothra from "Mothra" (1961) as having invaded Tokyo in the years after Godzilla's first attack.
In this film, we have, again, a female soldier seeking revenge against Godzilla for killing colleagues of hers. After monsters having appeared in the past, the Japanese government salvaged the skeletal remains of the original Godzilla to make a robotic version of the monster called Mechagodzilla. Filled with missiles and state-of-the-art weaponry, Mechagodzilla is Japan's number one defense against Godzilla. Mechagodzilla was proved to be a tough opponent for Godzilla and, in a plot twist, it appeared that the original Godzilla's spirit lives in the robot. This added suspense to the story.
We get to see a movie with a brilliant score by Michiru Ôshima and great special effects by Yûichi Kikuchi. Masaaki Tezuka did OK in the directing; however, he focused too much on the human characters, leaving us limited monster action (Godzilla was also portrayed as a little weak). But, some of the heroism and sacrifice made by the human characters, especially by the antagonist of the film who ended up putting his own life on the line to rescue the female lead, were pretty entertaining. I also enjoyed the touching friendship between the little girl and the female soldier, adding a nice touch of heartfelt drama. As an added treat, Toho brought back veteran actress Kumi Mizuno, who played "Miss Namikawa" in "Godzilla vs. Monster Zero" (1965) and "Daiyo" in "Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster" (1966), and actor Akira Nakao, who played "Commander Takaki Aso" in the Godzilla "Heisei" films, to appear in this movie.
Overall, this is a well-paced story with some nice monster action, but mostly towards the end.
Grade B-
In this film, we have, again, a female soldier seeking revenge against Godzilla for killing colleagues of hers. After monsters having appeared in the past, the Japanese government salvaged the skeletal remains of the original Godzilla to make a robotic version of the monster called Mechagodzilla. Filled with missiles and state-of-the-art weaponry, Mechagodzilla is Japan's number one defense against Godzilla. Mechagodzilla was proved to be a tough opponent for Godzilla and, in a plot twist, it appeared that the original Godzilla's spirit lives in the robot. This added suspense to the story.
We get to see a movie with a brilliant score by Michiru Ôshima and great special effects by Yûichi Kikuchi. Masaaki Tezuka did OK in the directing; however, he focused too much on the human characters, leaving us limited monster action (Godzilla was also portrayed as a little weak). But, some of the heroism and sacrifice made by the human characters, especially by the antagonist of the film who ended up putting his own life on the line to rescue the female lead, were pretty entertaining. I also enjoyed the touching friendship between the little girl and the female soldier, adding a nice touch of heartfelt drama. As an added treat, Toho brought back veteran actress Kumi Mizuno, who played "Miss Namikawa" in "Godzilla vs. Monster Zero" (1965) and "Daiyo" in "Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster" (1966), and actor Akira Nakao, who played "Commander Takaki Aso" in the Godzilla "Heisei" films, to appear in this movie.
Overall, this is a well-paced story with some nice monster action, but mostly towards the end.
Grade B-
- OllieSuave-007
- Jun 3, 2007
- Permalink
- Leofwine_draca
- Jul 28, 2021
- Permalink
- FilmExpertWannabe
- Apr 23, 2011
- Permalink
Better than last year's GMK, in fact, (still, I give that one ****). After the original Godzilla is destroyed in 1954, Japan has become the stomping ground (pun intended!) for a host of other kaiju over the years(featured in brief flashbacks). A special branch of the Japanese Defense Force is created to counter this threat, resulting in the creation of MechaGodzilla, a biomechanical monster created from the dna recovered from the remains of the original Godzilla. After it's initial encounter with Godzilla, the thing goes berserk when it "hears" Godzilla's roar which triggers a genetic memory in the robot's control system, causing it to go on a rampage.
GODZILLA vs MECHAGODZILLA returns the Big G to his sci-fi roots. The beginning is very similar to that of GODZILLA vs MEGAGUIRIUS, which is no surprise since it's directed by Masaaki Tezuka, who also directed GxM. The acting is superb, and the special effects are top notch-light years ahead of any premillennial G-films, or even GODZILLA '98 for that matter. I won't give away the ending, but it does leave room for a sequel currently in production in Japan, so stay tuned.
Rating: ***** out of *****
GODZILLA vs MECHAGODZILLA returns the Big G to his sci-fi roots. The beginning is very similar to that of GODZILLA vs MEGAGUIRIUS, which is no surprise since it's directed by Masaaki Tezuka, who also directed GxM. The acting is superb, and the special effects are top notch-light years ahead of any premillennial G-films, or even GODZILLA '98 for that matter. I won't give away the ending, but it does leave room for a sequel currently in production in Japan, so stay tuned.
Rating: ***** out of *****
After the giddy heights of "GMK," the Godzilla series returns to pleasant mediocrity with this strangely "Top Gun"-like entry. Godzilla himself has a very minimal role; most of the film deals with the construction of new version of Mechagodzilla, who looks rather like a glorified Transformer. The battle scenes are pretty cool (especially the missiles!), but as another reviewer observed, Godzilla is motionless in several shots and looks either like a big action figure or, during one especially embarrassing moment, a cardboard cutout (for the curious, it's when he blows up one of the jets). Still, I liked the heroine and the fun flashbacks to the old Godzilla, so on balance I'd have to say this is above-average for the series. I just don't understand fans who tout this as a "return" to the classic Godzilla after the controversial GMK - a return to cheesiness, you mean?
- dr_foreman
- Jan 21, 2004
- Permalink
The story starts with truck load of unknown object being moved out of Tateyama city. Shortly after that, Godzilla appears in Tateyama city. What's the connection ? The object that was moved out of Tateyama city was the remains of the original Godzilla that attacked Tokyo in 1954. Japanese special defense force JXSDF (Japan Counter-Xenomorph Self Defense Force) attacks Godzilla but it's weapons are ineffective against the Godzilla. Prime minister Takushoku (Kumi Mizuno) assembles a team of scientists to build a robot based on the original Godzilla's skeleton named Kiryu (Mechanical Dragon) to counter Godzilla's attack.
This movie had good special effects, the Mecha Godzilla (which only Dr. Uhara and his daughter refers to in this fasion in the movie) 's design was by far the best of all Mechagodzillas. They really took the effort to get the details right on this movie with cool looking cargo planes Shirasagi (White Heron) to transport Kiryu from its base to battle ground. Yumiko Shaku's performance as Akane Yashiro was engaging, and acting was believable. The plot was good and the score which was performed by Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra was in my opinion best of all Godzilla series.
This Godzilla was just as entertaining as the original Godzilla of 1954 which it pays homage to. None other Godzilla film even comes close to the quality of finish this movie has except for the 1954 original, and for this reason, movie scores a high mark.
This movie had good special effects, the Mecha Godzilla (which only Dr. Uhara and his daughter refers to in this fasion in the movie) 's design was by far the best of all Mechagodzillas. They really took the effort to get the details right on this movie with cool looking cargo planes Shirasagi (White Heron) to transport Kiryu from its base to battle ground. Yumiko Shaku's performance as Akane Yashiro was engaging, and acting was believable. The plot was good and the score which was performed by Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra was in my opinion best of all Godzilla series.
This Godzilla was just as entertaining as the original Godzilla of 1954 which it pays homage to. None other Godzilla film even comes close to the quality of finish this movie has except for the 1954 original, and for this reason, movie scores a high mark.
20 times better then the new movies!! Actual likeable and well written characters and although the godzillas are people in suits the action is pretty cool! Also the explination for how things work is believable. Rather watch this then that kong vs godzilla.. My god it was bad..
- darkdementress
- Apr 22, 2021
- Permalink
This Godzilla movie has a better storyline than any of the other originals. The special effects used were excellent, however the Godzilla and MechaGodzilla (Kiryu) costumes were similar to the ones used in the early Godzilla movies.
The performance of Japanese Pop Idol Yumiko Shaku (Yuki from Shura Yukihime/The Princess Blade) was great, she really portrayed her character (Akane Yashino)'s emotions well.
The overall its a good movie to watch for fun!
The performance of Japanese Pop Idol Yumiko Shaku (Yuki from Shura Yukihime/The Princess Blade) was great, she really portrayed her character (Akane Yashino)'s emotions well.
The overall its a good movie to watch for fun!
Another Godzilla movie. I was expecting your usual humans talking about stopping Godzilla with some okay characters and an okay story, but this one managed to actually impress me.
The story line is actually good and entertaining and the characters are well written. The monster designs are also great. I really enjoyed the pacing of this movie it flowed a lot better than some of the other Godzilla movies I've seen before.
I got a little bit of an Evangelion vibe in some scenes which I love. If you're looking for a fun Kaiju movie that is a bit different from the rest of the Godzilla movies I'd highly recommend "Godzilla Against MachaGodzilla"
The story line is actually good and entertaining and the characters are well written. The monster designs are also great. I really enjoyed the pacing of this movie it flowed a lot better than some of the other Godzilla movies I've seen before.
I got a little bit of an Evangelion vibe in some scenes which I love. If you're looking for a fun Kaiju movie that is a bit different from the rest of the Godzilla movies I'd highly recommend "Godzilla Against MachaGodzilla"
- Couchzilla
- Sep 22, 2023
- Permalink
- classicsoncall
- Jun 16, 2016
- Permalink
Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla (2002) is a movie that I recently watched on a random streaming service. The storyline follows the Japanese discovering the skeleton of the original Godzilla from 1954. They use these bones to build Mechagodzilla and face the real Godzilla and hopefully destroy him forever.
This movie is directed by Masaaki Tezuka (Godzilla vs. Megaguirus) and stars Yumiko Shaku (Godzilla: Tokyo SOS), Shin Takuma (Godzilla 1985), Kô Takasugi (Godzilla: Final Wars) and Yûsuke Tomoi (Kamen Rodger Agito).
The premise for this movie is okay and I liked how their tied in previous Godzilla pictures into the storyline. MechaGodzilla was really good and I enjoyed the way he was depicted. The military vehicles, weapons and battles with Godzilla were great. I did miss the Godzilla theme music, though his intro was still good. The cinematography and models were solid and the final battle was excellent.
Overall, this is a worthwhile addition to the Godzilla monster universe that's an absolute must see. I would score this a 6.5-7/10 and strongly recommend it.
This movie is directed by Masaaki Tezuka (Godzilla vs. Megaguirus) and stars Yumiko Shaku (Godzilla: Tokyo SOS), Shin Takuma (Godzilla 1985), Kô Takasugi (Godzilla: Final Wars) and Yûsuke Tomoi (Kamen Rodger Agito).
The premise for this movie is okay and I liked how their tied in previous Godzilla pictures into the storyline. MechaGodzilla was really good and I enjoyed the way he was depicted. The military vehicles, weapons and battles with Godzilla were great. I did miss the Godzilla theme music, though his intro was still good. The cinematography and models were solid and the final battle was excellent.
Overall, this is a worthwhile addition to the Godzilla monster universe that's an absolute must see. I would score this a 6.5-7/10 and strongly recommend it.
- kevin_robbins
- Mar 28, 2023
- Permalink
The opening sequence was down right awesome. Right away Godzilla is out and about stomping through town. Right off the bat I have found things I liked about this movie. One thing that I liked was the fact that Godzilla spits his blue radioactive breathe instead of the fire-like breath scene in Godzilla 2000 or Godzilla X Megaguirus. Godzilla's look also resembles that of the Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla X Megaguirus movies, which is a plus in my book. I found it nice that they mention other monsters either then Godzilla like Mothra and Gaira (Green Gargantuan) in as previous monster attacks against Tokyo.
The movie shows some of he science behind the creation of MechaGodzilla instead of say skipping till the end when it is finished or something that some movies do. Other times like Godzilla Vs MechaGodzilla 2 the movie starts with MechaGodzilla already built. This whole thing is another plus for this movie.
The storyline is a little better developed then some of the other Godzilla movies. Some of the characters get a little more development at the beginning. Though it is hard to do in relatively short amount of time this movie still gives a nice storyline to go along with the monster aspect.
Now onto the monsters. Kiryu, or MechaGodzilla, is the best version of MechaGodzilla to date. It is equipped with many weapons, which include the Absolute Zero Cannon that freezes things instantly. This is a nice touch to the massive MechaGodzilla arsenal. It still has some of the same lasers and missiles as previous versions.In all this MechaGodzilla is my favorite monster (aside from Godzilla) in the whole Millenium series.
As mentioned above Godzilla was given his blue radioactive breathe back (he did have it in GMK, but still). This time the breath was a combination of the blue and the fire-like one. Out of all the looks for Godzilla this is one of my favorites. This movie also has Godzilla get powered by electricity as it did in the Showa series.
Favorite part of this movie has to be when Kiryu goes crazy and starts rampaging through the city. The whole triggering of memories because of Godzilla's roar was nice. This is just another good area of the movie. I mean it has the man against machine element brought in here while still having the man against monster element. Which in both cases for this movie it is man against their creations (Nuclear weapons made by man created Godzilla). This continues the great storyline of this movie and makes it a little more interesting.
The battle between Godzilla and Kiryu was nice. They actually had some physical fighting instead of just having Kiryu blast away at Godzilla the entire time. Both Godzilla and Kiryu got knocked around quite a bit. I mean the movie still has the lasers, missiles, and radioactive heat beams as all the previous movies, which is still good in itself. This epic battle is a great one!!
All in all it is an excellent Godzilla movie and should be enjoyed by any Godzilla Fan out there.
The movie shows some of he science behind the creation of MechaGodzilla instead of say skipping till the end when it is finished or something that some movies do. Other times like Godzilla Vs MechaGodzilla 2 the movie starts with MechaGodzilla already built. This whole thing is another plus for this movie.
The storyline is a little better developed then some of the other Godzilla movies. Some of the characters get a little more development at the beginning. Though it is hard to do in relatively short amount of time this movie still gives a nice storyline to go along with the monster aspect.
Now onto the monsters. Kiryu, or MechaGodzilla, is the best version of MechaGodzilla to date. It is equipped with many weapons, which include the Absolute Zero Cannon that freezes things instantly. This is a nice touch to the massive MechaGodzilla arsenal. It still has some of the same lasers and missiles as previous versions.In all this MechaGodzilla is my favorite monster (aside from Godzilla) in the whole Millenium series.
As mentioned above Godzilla was given his blue radioactive breathe back (he did have it in GMK, but still). This time the breath was a combination of the blue and the fire-like one. Out of all the looks for Godzilla this is one of my favorites. This movie also has Godzilla get powered by electricity as it did in the Showa series.
Favorite part of this movie has to be when Kiryu goes crazy and starts rampaging through the city. The whole triggering of memories because of Godzilla's roar was nice. This is just another good area of the movie. I mean it has the man against machine element brought in here while still having the man against monster element. Which in both cases for this movie it is man against their creations (Nuclear weapons made by man created Godzilla). This continues the great storyline of this movie and makes it a little more interesting.
The battle between Godzilla and Kiryu was nice. They actually had some physical fighting instead of just having Kiryu blast away at Godzilla the entire time. Both Godzilla and Kiryu got knocked around quite a bit. I mean the movie still has the lasers, missiles, and radioactive heat beams as all the previous movies, which is still good in itself. This epic battle is a great one!!
All in all it is an excellent Godzilla movie and should be enjoyed by any Godzilla Fan out there.
- KingGhidorah2001
- Dec 14, 2003
- Permalink
In this militaristic revision of Japan's troubled history with kaiju, Godzilla attacked once before, in 1954, and was defeated by Serizawa's oxygen destroyer. Other monsters have since attacked (Mothra and Gaira ("War of the Gargantuas", 1966)) and Japan's response to each attack is to develop newer, more powerful weapons. Now Godzilla has returned and a new weapon is needed, so tissue from the original Godzilla's skeleton is incorporated into a giant mecha to create a cybernetic "Mechagodzilla" (that this is the third incarnation of a "Mechagodzilla" is not part of this film's alternative history). Similar to the previous films in the millennium-series, Godzilla is a simply rampaging monster that needs to be destroyed (the concept that he's just a misunderstood dad, or that he is our guardian, or that he is our friend was (fortunately) put aside for this series). "Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla" (number 27 in the canon) is a pretty typical Godzilla outing. There is some backstory about the cyborg expert Tokumitsu Yuhara (Shin Takuma ) who is brought in to help design Mechagodzilla and his daughter Sara (Kana Onodera, she's OK - kids in Godzilla movies just keep getting less annoying) as well as Akane Yashiro (Yumiko Shaku), a Mechagodzilla operator with a personal vendetta against the big guy, all of which exists simply as a scaffold to support the kaiju scenes. Both Godzilla and his cyborg doppelganger look pretty good, especially when trashing cities, as do the "White Heron" transport/command and control aircraft. I always thought the mechagodzillas looked silly when flying, so was pleased to see this one being towed into battle (later it turns out that it can fly, and, once again, looks silly doing so). The battle scenes are a mixed bag - despite having the ultimate Godzilla weapon installed in the mecha's chest, the crew seem obligated to fire numerous useless cannon, missiles, ray guns, etc. before activating the 'absolute zero' canon. The battling colossi look OK when grappling or blasting each other with death-rays, but the scenes where Mechagodzilla jumps over Godzilla or spins him around by his tail look 'fake' in comparison and detract from the overall quality of the brawls. The film's score is also a mixed bag, with some good (and familiar) themes mixed in with the grating 'fanfare' music that accompanies shots of Mechagodzilla. Acting (including English subtitling in my version) is on par with other film's in the series (although I got tired of Yumiko Shaku 's po-faced Akane and her heroic pose at the film's close was pretty trite). While neither as imaginative or well-executed as 2000's "G. vs Megaguirus") or as off-beat as 2001's "Giant Monsters All-Out Attack", this latest version of Godzilla fighting his robotic-self is an entertaining enough entry into the long running daikaiju franchise.
- jamesrupert2014
- Feb 3, 2018
- Permalink
This film had everything a Godzilla film needs: a bunch destruction, Godzilla fighting another monster with incredible results, and of course, a little camp! The special effects in this film are unbelievable, they are just getting better and better... basically equal to America! There are so many highlights in this film I can't think of all them; the scene with Mechagodzilla falling under the moonlight was fantastic, and as MG is falling, the energy sockets on its back burst flames, resulting in the greatest flying kaiju scene since Gamera 3! Some of you may be thinking "well the special effects are good, but that is not the most important thing in a film." Well, this film had quite a bit of drama which surprisingly was touching, and it all mixed in a Godzilla film very well... connecting the theme all together!! The music and acting was excellent, as simple as that.. The fight scenes between godzilla and Mechagodzilla were great, often having grappling and punching instead of constant beam battles like in the Hesei series. Godzilla's 26th film is one of the greatest G-films of all, almost beating Godzilla, mothra, and King Ghidorah!! Director Mr. Tezuka is directing a sequel to this film, which features two mothra larvae, one Mothra adult, Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, and the giant turtle Kameba, all in an all-out war! It will be great, and will probably top Shusuke Kaneko's Gamera series as long as Mr. Tezuka uses his creative talent of directing, creative camera angles, and spectacular Specail FX!!
Some good moments, some cringe moments, decent action and anime-like cliches, one plot hole (or rather they adress it a very shallow way), an extremely forced romantic subplot... All in all, it's a decent (and formulaic) Godzilla movie.
Final rating: 6.8/10
Final rating: 6.8/10
- DanteRiggs
- Mar 19, 2021
- Permalink
The Japanese made Godzilla and remain the masters of the monster that first appeared in the 1950s. But these later films are fast diminishing as enjoyable sci-fi. The main reason is all the rest of the stuff that's in the later films. By this fourth film, and third in the Japanese assembly line, the plots are more about martial arts, far-out scientific research, romance, strange heroes, dysfunctional families, etc.
The fright factor of the original rampaging monster is now gone. And that makes the scenes of widespread destruction little more than play at CGI and special effects. These later films try to add some underlying humor. But that mostly fizzles. In this film, a woman becomes the main hero as the only pilot able to lead a special weapon and ship to tackle Godzilla.
The fight between Godzilla and its mechanical duplicate is more boring than interesting. There's nothing new here, and the advantages of fright, technology and plot from the original are all gone. The human interest sidebars provide some interest, but this film otherwise isn't a sci-fi thriller.
By the ending, it seems that ToHo plans another sequel. It might better let the Godzilla phenomenon die out quietly.
The fright factor of the original rampaging monster is now gone. And that makes the scenes of widespread destruction little more than play at CGI and special effects. These later films try to add some underlying humor. But that mostly fizzles. In this film, a woman becomes the main hero as the only pilot able to lead a special weapon and ship to tackle Godzilla.
The fight between Godzilla and its mechanical duplicate is more boring than interesting. There's nothing new here, and the advantages of fright, technology and plot from the original are all gone. The human interest sidebars provide some interest, but this film otherwise isn't a sci-fi thriller.
By the ending, it seems that ToHo plans another sequel. It might better let the Godzilla phenomenon die out quietly.