Gojira tai Mekagojira (2002)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Masaaki Tezuka

Writer:

Wataru Mimura (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 December 2002 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Kidô, Kyômei, Hyôsai (Startup, Resonance, Smashed Ice)

Plot:

After the appearance of a new "Godzilla", the Japanese government builds a robotic Godzilla to stop the beast.

Plot Keywords:

Godzilla | Monster | Gojira | Giant Monster | Bio Organic Weapon

Cast

Yumiko Shaku	...	Akane Yashiro
Shin Takuma	...	Tokumitsu Yuhara
Kana Onodera	...	Sara Yuhara (Tokumitsu's daughter)
Koh Takasugi	...	JSDF Lieutenant Togashi
Yûsuke Tomoi	...	JSDF 2nd Lieutenant Hayama
Jun'ichi Mizuno	...	JSDF 1st Lieutenant Sekine
Akira Nakao	...	2003 Prime Minister Hayato Igarashi
Kumi Mizuno	...	1999 Prime Minister Machiko Tsuge
Takeo Nakahara	...	JSDF Chief Hitoyanagi
Yoshikazu Kanou	...	Hishinuma
Kôichi Ueda	...	Dobashi
Akira Shirai	...	Shinji Akamatsu
Midori Hagio	...	Kaoru Yamada
Naomasa Musaka	...	Gorou Kanno
Shinji Morisue	...	JSDF 1st Lieutenant Hayama (2nd Lt. Hayama's Brother)

Also Known As:

Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla (Hong Kong: English title) (DVD title)
Godzilla X Mechagodzilla (Japan: English title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi action and some language.

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Studio 9, Toho Studios, Tokyo, Japan

Company:

Toho Company

Trivia:

Cameo: [Takehiro Murata]Man picking up cans. Murata has had roles in numerous Godzilla films, including the lead role in Gojira ni-sen mireniamu (1999) ("Godzilla 2000").

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the blackout, all the lights go out, even the cars.

Quotes:

Akane Yashiro: I'll show you what Kiryu can do!

Movie Connections:

References Kingu Kongu tai Gojira (1962)

IS THE 26th GODZILLA, ETC.............? MOST DEFINITELY!

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 *****