Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

After rising from his volcanic grave, Godzilla is threatened by a mutated rosebush.

Director:

Kazuki Ohmori

Writers:

Shinichirô Kobayashi (story), Kazuki Ohmori

Stars:

Kunihiko Mitamura, Yoshiko Tanaka, Masanobu Takashima

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kunihiko Mitamura	...	Kazuhito Kirishima
Yoshiko Tanaka	...	Asuka Okouchi
Masanobu Takashima	...	Major Sho Kuroki
Kôji Takahashi	...	Dr. Genichiro Shiragami
Tôru Minegishi	...	Lieutenant Goro Gondo
Megumi Odaka	...	Miki Saegusa
Toshiyuki Nagashima	...	Director Seiichi Yamamoto
Ryûnosuke Kaneda	...	Seizo Okouchi
Kazuma Matsubara	...	Self Defense Forces Officer
Yoshiko Kuga	...	Keiko Owada, Prime Minister's Representative
Yasunori Yuge	...	Prime Minister's Aide
Yasuko Sawaguchi	...	Erika Shiragami
Haruko Sagara	...	TV Reporter
Kôichi Ueda	...	Joint-Chief of Staff Yamaji
Kosuke Toyohara	...	Osamu Amesawa

Storyline

A scientist combines the cells of a rose with those of Godzilla to create a biological creature more horrifying than any seen before. The two do battle after a destructive tour of Japan by Godzilla. A newly released version includes many new fight scenes that were cut out of the theatrical version.

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Plot Keywords:

godzilla | japan | tokusatsu | kaiju | scientist | 

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Taglines:

The ultimate battle has only just begun.

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for traditional Godzilla violence

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

16 December 1989 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Godzilla vs. Biollante

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,538,198

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company,Toho Eizo Co.,Toho Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min 83 min (VHS Screener Release)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kôichi Kawakita came up with the animalistic design for Godzilla for this film as far back as 1984, while working as assistant SPFX director on Godzilla 1985 (1984). (His original concept was featured in a segment of the "Making of" video for that film.) Originally, Kawakita wanted Godzilla to be much more realistic and animal-like, using dinosaurs and crocodiles as a reference, but executive producer Tomoyuki Tanaka strongly objected to this idea, stressing that Godzilla should strictly be more of a "monster" than an animal, so Kawakita compromised with a cross between his concept and the "traditional" Godzilla design type. While Godzilla had a vague look of sadness in the 1984 film (a look suggested by SPFX director Teruyoshi Nakano), Kawakita created a more feral and powerful Godzilla, with a smaller pointed head, canine-like muzzle, two rows of sharp teeth (a characteristic suggested by writer Shinichirô Kobayashi), and a more angular cone-like physique that supports his tremendous weight. He also wanted Godzilla to have dark brown eyes like a hawk, as he didn't care for Godzilla having whites in his eyes. This look would be duplicated closely for the Godzilla suit in the next film, Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), but starting with Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth (1992), Godzilla began to have eye whites again, and a more fiery golden texture in his irises.

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Goofs

According to ransom demand fax the deadline to turn over the anti-nuclear energy bacteria is no later than "2 pm Tuesday the 31st". However when Kurshima arrives at the delivery location he checks the time and the date dial on his wristwatch reads "Friday The 10th"

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Quotes

Kazuhito Kirishima: [to Dr. Shiragami] So you did do it. You amalgamated one of Godzilla's cells together with the plant's cells. Are you proud of this? What kind science do you call this?

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Connections

Followed by Gojira: Fainaru uôzu (2004)

User Reviews

Gojira vs. Biorante (1989)

Another great entry into the rebooted franchise. It picks up where the last Godzilla films left of. However, it soon turns into an espionage thriller, Americans and, most dangerously of all, middle eastern folk, try and steal a Godzilla fragment to experiment with. It leads to the creation of a giant plant. Nothing too dangerous you might think, but as it mutates, the design is really quite breathtaking. This film once again takes it up a notch. It feels so genuine in its portrayal of the events, and even manages to convince the audience that this is all very real. As always, the score is truly dominant. It flows throughout the film bringing both dread and excitement. I loved how they gradually introduce the more "out there" ideas. This time, it's telekinesis with flowers. Like the classics, it is a story of man and nature, and how fooling around could lead to absolute destruction by giant monsters. There were also a number of humane touches and some maturity lacking from earlier attempts. When asked if he will go to America a young man says that he wont, as every country has bad things about it. For once, the foreign devils aren't to blame. Just humanity as a whole.