Capsule Reviews – Showa Godzilla (3)
Here are capsule reviews for the Showa Godzilla movies that were released in the years between 1971 and 1975. Only minor spoilers are given, with only the barest of plots to preserve some of the joys of the films. Longer reviews will appear when warranted.
Gojira tai Hedorâ (1971)
aka Godzilla v. Hedora
aka Godzilla v. the Smog Monster
Director: Yoshimitsu Banno
A terrible monster is created from the pollution of man. Only Godzilla and a dedicated scientist can save the Earth from its devastating power.
Poor Yoshimitsu Banno. Here he was, thinking he made an excellent movie, even planning a sequel using Hedora again, only to have the producer, Tomoyuki Tanaka, tell him that he had “ruined Godzilla”.
As if Gojira-Minira-Gabara: Oru kaijû daishingeki hadn’t already done as much…
In comparison to the previous outing, Gojira tai Hedorâ is almost praiseworthy. There is no recycling of footage, for one thing. While it clings to the Godzilla Plot, Hedora is an actual threat to both Godzilla and Humanity. What could be better?
This movie, for one thing. It drags. It’s filled with bizarre and pointless imagery. It preaches, oh how it preaches. Godzilla suddenly becomes a scientist at the end, or psychic. His breath obtains mystic and magical properties…
Godzilla fans have been calling this the worst Godzilla movie, and it’s hard to argue.
Still, it’s almost worth recommending for just one moment: Godzilla, chasing Hedora, flies. The damnedest moment in the whole Showa series. However, as it is possible to see the scene online (for instance, here at Badmovies.org, if you happen to want to spare yourself the anguish), you might want to spare yourself.
Chikyû kogeki meirei: Gojira tai Gaigan (1972)
aka Godzilla on Monster Island
aka Godzilla v. Gigan
Director: Jun Fukuda
Alien invaders plot to kill Godzilla and take over the world with the help of the Kaijû Gigan and Ghidora. Only a manga artist and his friends can save the radioactive dinosaur from certain doom.
While this movie isn’t nearly as good as Fukuda’s earlier work, it is still a step up from Gojira tai Hedorâ. Just not a big step. Gigan is one of the most unusual of Godzilla’s foes, with his hook hands and saw blade belly (!). Ghidorah, when not presented via scenes from previous Godzilla movies, looks awfully stiff.
Notable for the only Godzilla movie where the viewer can understand a portion of Godzilla’s speech. (It was revealed that Godzilla was capable of communication way back in San daikaijû: Chikyu saidai no kessen, remember.)
Gojira tai Megaro (1973)
aka Godzilla vs. Megalon
Director: Jun Fukuda
The underground dwelling Seatopians, furious at Humanity’s mistreatment of the Earth, steal the robot Jet Jaguar from its creators. It is immediately set to diabolical use, acting as a guide to the Kaijû Gigan and Megalon in the destruction of the surface.
This marks the last of the REALLY BAD Showa Godzilla movies. It’s mainly about Jet Jaguar, that Ultraman/Spectreman wannabe, and his creators struggle to regain control of him. Dull as dirt.
Except, to be perfectly honest, there is some small degree of charm towards the end as Godzilla finally enters the picture. It might be worth fast-fowarding through the other parts to see. Beyond that…
Gojira tai Mekagojira (1974)
aka Godzilla v. Bionic Monster
aka Godzilla v. Cosmic Monster
aka Godzilla v. Mechagodzilla
Director: Jun Fukuda
The heroic Godzilla has gone rouge, returning to his city stomping ways and even brutally attacking his friend Anguirus. The only hope of stopping the rampage can be found in an ancient prophecy and, perhaps, the God King Shisa.
That synopsis keeps the mystery of what’s going on far better than the movie does; one roar from Godzilla and viewers know something is up. (Well, that and the title). On top of this is yet another alien threat and the Godzilla Plot unadorned and unloved.
Still, this is an entertaining entry in the series and a decent farewell from Fukuda to the series. Shisa is distinctive looking in amongst the dinosaurs and giant animals Godzilla usually encounters, though his powers are a bit of a dud. Well worth a watching.
Mekagojira no gyakushu (1975)
aka Terror of Mechagodzilla
Director: Ishirô Honda
Once more the world is threatened by the terror of Mechagodzilla. But this time he has help from the mammoth Titanosaurus. Can Godzilla alone stop them both?
The final Godzilla of the Showa era, this isn’t a bad way to go out. Titanosaurus is a bit of a drip, however, and we have yet again another alien invasion to deal with (same ones as last time, by all appearances.) But, all in all, not a bad little film.
This ends the look at the Showa era Godzilla.
