I used to rent this movie every Friday when I was a kid. I never really got tired of it, mainly because I thought that the movie was cool and that the cover-box was great. This movie, like most of the '70s Godzilla movies, features the overly-used "alien invasion" plot, which gives a Godzilla movie a predictable outcome. This movie is dark, tragic, and serious, and not as colorful and funny as some of the earlier Godzilla movies (a departure from most of the whimsical 70s Godzilla films). It definitely lacks humor and lightheartedness, but has some suspense and thrills to it. *spoilers ahead* In this movie, the Simeons (the ape-like aliens from "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla") returns, rebuilding Mechagodzilla for a new assault on Tokyo. This time, they are joined by a mad scientist, who wants to take revenge on the people who thinks he's a nut after he ranted about discovering a prehistoric dinosaur. The dinosaur, which actually exists, is called Titanosaurus, and he joins forces with Mechagodzilla to destroy Tokyo, but is thwarted by Godzilla. These Simeons should just leave Earth alone. In this movie, the aliens simply make a stop to Earth and tell us "we're here to take over your planet because ours is being sucked up in a Black Hole." It's not Earth's problem that the Simeons' planet is in a mess. Anyways, mixed in with this plot, is a romance sub-plot (rarely seen in Godzilla movies) between Interpol agent Ichinose and Cyborg Katsura (he doesn't know she is a robot until the end). So, Katsura basically needs to choose--love or world conquest. Not a bad plot, it just gets a little boring at times and the monster battles were sequestered toward the end, but they were spectacular.
Teruyoshi Nakano did another good job on the special effects, improving from his last films. We finally get to see breathtaking city destruction from Mechagodzilla, and a cool wind effect from Titanosaurus' tail. Akira Ifukube brought back his famous "Godzilla Theme" (last heard in the original "Godzilla" film) and actor Akihiko Hirata (he played Dr. Serizawa in the original "Godzilla") returns as the mad scientist in this movie. Godzilla first appearance in this film (appearing from behind a tall building) is a very well-done effect, depicting a very moving entrance of a hero.
This is the last Godzilla movie directed by Ishiro Honda, and the last time we see Godzilla as a hero--as the "defender of Earth." This movie also marked the end of the "Showa Series" of the Godzilla saga, which ran from 1954-1975. It also marked an end to all the other long-running batch of sci-fi movies, which were filmed during the same time period as the Showa Godzilla movies. After this movie ended, Godzilla went on to a nine-year hiatus. As Godzilla sailed off in the ocean at the end of this movie, Ifukube's score hints the sense of an end to an era. Overall, an adequate movie to end the "Showa" Godzilla series.
Grade B-
Teruyoshi Nakano did another good job on the special effects, improving from his last films. We finally get to see breathtaking city destruction from Mechagodzilla, and a cool wind effect from Titanosaurus' tail. Akira Ifukube brought back his famous "Godzilla Theme" (last heard in the original "Godzilla" film) and actor Akihiko Hirata (he played Dr. Serizawa in the original "Godzilla") returns as the mad scientist in this movie. Godzilla first appearance in this film (appearing from behind a tall building) is a very well-done effect, depicting a very moving entrance of a hero.
This is the last Godzilla movie directed by Ishiro Honda, and the last time we see Godzilla as a hero--as the "defender of Earth." This movie also marked the end of the "Showa Series" of the Godzilla saga, which ran from 1954-1975. It also marked an end to all the other long-running batch of sci-fi movies, which were filmed during the same time period as the Showa Godzilla movies. After this movie ended, Godzilla went on to a nine-year hiatus. As Godzilla sailed off in the ocean at the end of this movie, Ifukube's score hints the sense of an end to an era. Overall, an adequate movie to end the "Showa" Godzilla series.
Grade B-