I hadn't seen this film for a long time: imagine my delight on seeing a DVD with "5.1 surround-sound"! Hmmm...
It was made in 1956. Not a really early Japanese 'monster' flic, but pretty-close. The special effects are exactly what we all expect: bug-eyed monsters; dark mine-workings; large eggs and torn-apart miners.
But, hang on? Haven't we seen this all before? Well, yes and no. It depends on one's preference: Dr Who; 'fifties cold war movies; or Alien and the crop of similar films. It really is a crap movie unless one places it into context. And THAT is the reason why RODAN is acceptable. It belongs in its time-frame and, without giving away the plot, deserves its status as a progenitor to a lot of contemporary B- to A-grade movies.
OHMYGODTHEEGGISOPENING... Except it won't produce a supersonic 'saurian of any description. Well, not so far anyway...
It was made in 1956. Not a really early Japanese 'monster' flic, but pretty-close. The special effects are exactly what we all expect: bug-eyed monsters; dark mine-workings; large eggs and torn-apart miners.
But, hang on? Haven't we seen this all before? Well, yes and no. It depends on one's preference: Dr Who; 'fifties cold war movies; or Alien and the crop of similar films. It really is a crap movie unless one places it into context. And THAT is the reason why RODAN is acceptable. It belongs in its time-frame and, without giving away the plot, deserves its status as a progenitor to a lot of contemporary B- to A-grade movies.
OHMYGODTHEEGGISOPENING... Except it won't produce a supersonic 'saurian of any description. Well, not so far anyway...