Gojira tai Mekagojira (1974)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Jun Fukuda

Writers:

Jun Fukuda (writer)
Masami Fukushima (story)

Release Date:

March 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Put the Monster to the Metal!

Plot:

Apelike aliens build a robotic Godzilla to destroy Japan, and the true Godzilla may not be powerful enough to destroy it.

Plot Keywords:

Godzilla | Alien | Prophecy | Sequel | Lightning

Cast

Masaaki Daimon	...	Keisuke Shimizu
Kazuya Aoyama	...	Masahiko Shimizu
Reiko Tajima	...	Saeko Kaneshiro
Akihiko Hirata	...	Professor Hideto Miyajima
Hiromi Matsushita	...	Ikuko Miyajima
Hiroshi Koizumi	...	Professor Wagura
Masao Imafuku	...	Tengan Kunito, the Azumi Royal Family High Priest
Beru-Bera Lin	...	Nami Kunito, the Azumi Royal Family Princess
Shin Kishida	...	Interpol Agent Nanbara
Goro Mutsumi	...	Alien Supreme Leader Kuronuma
Daigo Kusano	...	Yanagawa, Alien Agent #1
Takayasu Torii	...	Interpol Agent Tamura
Kenji Sahara	...	Ship's Captain
Yasuzo Ogawa	...	Construction Foreman
Takamitsu Watanabe	...	Alien Henchman # 1

Also Known As:

Godzilla vs. Bionic Monster (USA)
Godzilla vs. Cosmic Monster (USA) (reissue title)
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (USA)

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Norway:12 (video rating) | Finland:K-16 | UK:15 | USA:G | West Germany:12 (nf)

Company:

Toho Company

Trivia:

The guardian monster King Shisa is based on the actual "shîsâ" lion-dog guardian statues in Okinawa. Originally from China, they are statues that ward off evil spirits. Another Japanese name for them is "komainu" (lion-dog).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Mechagodzilla is fighting Anguiris, the strings to pick Anguiris can be seen clearly.

Quotes:

Keisuke Shimizu: Who are you?
[the henchman doesn't answer]
Keisuke Shimizu: A spaceman? Where's my brother and the professor? Where are they!
Alien Henchman # 2: You'll see them soon. Or rather... their corpses!
[the henchman is shot in the hand by Nanbara]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "South Park: Chinpokomon (#3.11)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Beat Mechagodzilla

One of the Better 70s Godzilla.

Released in 1974, Gojira tai Mekagojira is a very nice break from the garbage that was 1973's Gojira tai Megaro (Godzilla Against Megalon). Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla was made to commemorate Godzilla's 20th anniversary. Toho hired veteran composer Masaru Sato for the music, Teruyoshi Nakano was brought back for special effects, and Jun Fukuda returned to direct. After Godzilla vs. Megalon, Fukuda does a 180 and gives us an exciting, original, well-paced film.

The special effects are among the best of the Showa series. While some of the Black Hole Aliens scenes leave some to be desired, the monster scenes are well done,and greatly improved over Godzilla vs. Megalon. The battles between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla are fast-paced and brutal. Mechagodzilla is a very original foe for Godzilla, and probably his deadliest. Godzilla himself is the Megarogoji from 1973, but Toho gave him a "mean" look. King Seesar is an interesting monster, and has a small cult following, but many look down upon him due to him getting pummeled by Mechagodzilla.

There are flaws though. Character development leaves some to be desired, but this can be forgiven by the film's fast pace. Also, some special effects shots, like Mechagodzilla's chest lightning, look ridiculous.

Here's an interesting fact for those who don't already know: During Godzilla's fight with Fake Godzilla, you may notice that Fake Godzilla seems rather goofy, with a chubbier jaw, and his hands resemble Mechagodzilla's missile finger. This is because Toho used a promotional Godzilla suit, instead of making a second Megarogoji suit, which they couldn't afford. The Fake Godzilla suit was also used for water scenes, because water causes a lot of wear and tear on Godzilla suits.

Overall, Gojira tai Mekagojira is a fast-paced, fun, exciting film to watch. Possibly the best of the seventy's, and it's leaps and bounds above Godzilla vs. Megalon. However, if you're expecting anything like the original Gojira, or the Golden Age, look elsewhere. But, if you're the kind who enjoys fast-paced action, this is your kind of film.

Score:7/10