Hey there again friends, today is another special DVD review time, like last time it’s a collection, one that I’m proud to own, the Toho Collection Godzilla collection. This collection from Classic Media gathers only six of the early movies: Godzilla Raids Again, Mothra Vs Godzilla, Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster, Invasion of the Asto-Monster, All Monsters Attack, and Terror of MechaGodzilla. Being a huge Godzilla this was too good to resist since some of these I have yet to see, or have seen but vaguely remember them. This collection is really great and it has the advantage of bringing us the unseen (for most) Japanese versions as well as the American versions which we have seen with the bad dubbing and chopped up stories. So for your enjoyment and mine, I’m going to do my reviews on these, keep in mind these will only be the purist review, I will be reviewing the original Japanese versions since we know the originals are always the superior. These will also be based on the moves and not the extras. But first an honorable mention to the first of the collection, Gojira
Gojira Aka Godzilla
Released in 1954 in Japan and in 1956 for the US
The Story: Godzilla aka Gojira is about the discovery of a giant monster which was the product of Hydrogen bomb testing on Islands that awoken the sleeping beast (although it’s been changed with each era) and its attack on Japan. Meanwhile a scientist creates a weapon that could defeat the monster, the Oxygen Destroyer.
Review: This has easily the best plot of your typical giant monster movie, Giant Creature; Humans lose terribly, Humans fight back with secret weapon. This formula is basic yet it’s the execution of those elements is where this movie flourishes. What helps is that Japan actually made this film as a means to denounce the idea of Nuclear weapons, and that this “could” occur if we abused such a power, that it would ultimately comeback and destroy us. The aftermath of his destruction in this movie is a sight all too familiar to the people of Japan, the moment the camera pans across the landscape, it’s a haunting reminder of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which when this was releases was only a decade old. The Human element in this movie is very strong, the main scientist (an allusion to Einstein?) who creates the weapon is very sympathetic, he’s a man who created a weapon that he feared would do too much harm and devastation to the world and ultimately it’s his final decision that shows he’s will to die for what he believes.
As for the US version, from what James Rolfe (The Angry Video Game Nerd) mentioned is that it’s the same movie but they spliced in US actor Raymond Burr to narrate the destruction Godzilla is doing but is more or less the same film, save for a few “grim” moments.
This film is in Black and White yet that shouldn’t be the downside since for this and the second film, add to the mystery of the King of the Monsters. The Japanese version runs at 96 minutes while the US version clocks in at 80 minutes. This version I have is the two disc special edition, pick it where available. This DVD gets an A+
Godzilla Raids Again aka Gigantis (US version…WTF?)
Released in 1955 in Japan and in 1959 for the US
The Story: The follow up to the classic first one, clashes a second Godzilla to his friend/foe (Foe in this one) Anguirus. The human story follows a fishing company getting caught up in the matters.
Review: This was one of the ones I have not seen in my life so seeing it for the first time I enjoyed it but sadly this cannot compare to the first one. The human characters didn’t really connect with me, since they had no real bearing on the story other than onlookers, Godzilla doesn’t kill any of them so the humans would have a means of destroying the creature even more. We also get more or less a look back at the first one with footage of his attack, which is amazing how this poor soul got footage of it from various angles shows his devotion to a story (I know suspicion of disbelief). The giant battle with Anguirus is actually the best thing in this movie; it’s fast paced and has some great angles to showcase size.
This version is also in black and white yet I the camera system they used must have been different since I saw the edges of the lenses they were using. They used some pretty bad blue screening with one shot where it’s clearly a fake, yet the future films perfected the art and would actually use real places. Here it looked like sets, nothing felt real. The Japanese Version runs at 81:34 minutes while the US version is 79 minutes. Not the worst of the films, just a lackluster sequel to a strong first one, this DVD gets a C+
Mothra Vs Godzilla Aka Godzilla Vs the Thing (Again….WTF US distributor?)
Released in 1964 for both Japan and the US
The Story: The physic twins of Infant Island have asked for the return of their islands prized possession, the egg of Mothra. The twins seek the help from a news photographer and a reporter to stop a greedy man and an equally greedy businessman who want to create a theme park around the giant egg (cause a giant monster egg brings in business?). However their plans are foiled as Godzilla awakens and wreaks havoc all the way to the egg. The two partners go to Infant Island and plea to the people to use Mothra to fight back. Mothra chooses to fight her last fight and does battle with the big G, sadly she loses but in her place two babies are born and they manage to defeat Godzilla thanks to their size and silk shooting.
Review: Now this is more like it, a proper sequel worthy of having Godzilla in it. The human characters in this film you can invest in since they are the driving plot of the story, the two reports are curious and caring at the same time, they want what is best and ultimately represent the good of humanity while the greedy businessmen and his partner represent the greed and evil of humanity, willing to buy their way to the top. The theme of two is prevalent in this movie, the two reporters, the two greedy men, the twins, and the twin babies of Mothra. In another bit of weirdness the open of the film does seem all too familiar as well with the recent flood Japan had (also there is a moment where they worry about the safety of water if it has radioactivity). The moments with Godzilla are great; he does his best destruction and the military doing its best but gets its ass hand to them yet again. His battle with the mother Mothra is one of the classic giant monster clash moments, since this is the first time Godzilla fights a flying opponent.
This is in Color and presented in TOHO SCOPE which is really cool and has some of the best clarity I have seen in a DVD. The running time for the Japanese is 88:36 minutes, while the US version is 88:07 minutes (There’s a small shot of blood which is probably removed). This DVD gets an A-
Ghidorah the Three Headed Monster
Released in 1964 in Japan and in 1965 for the US
The Story: A meteor crashes in the middle of the mountains; a woman claims to be from Venus and warns of Earths doom, Assassins out to kill a princess, a cop gets involved with the case, and the monsters of Earth must band together to defeat the three headed golden monster that threatens earth.
Review: I LOVED this movie, arguably where Godzilla enters the realm of Science Fiction with the help of his best and memorable villain. The film mixes in the early James Bond sensibility with the cop on the case, devoted to finding out where the princess of a tiny island has disappeared to and who is this mysterious woman, which makes him one of the best characters to follow in the Godzilla films, he brings the good side of humanity into this movie much like in the last one, we have the two drastic sides, the bad guys are purely bad and the good guy is purely good. The introduction of Ghidorah is well paced and keeps you guessing as to when he is coming, there’s all this build up to something powerful and menacing and when he brought forth, he carries the power and destruction of both Godzilla and Rodan. The giant monster fights are a delight, I love Rodan, easily my second favorite Godzilla character, his fight with Godzilla is great, showing these two creatures are creatures of habit; they don’t care about the cities or people they are acting on instinct to fight one another regardless of what’s in their paths. The final (?) fight with Ghidorah is great, Godzilla, Rodan, and one baby Mothra (never explains where the second one went) team up and kick the crap out of the three headed beast.
This film is in Color and also presented in TOHO SCOPE. The Running time for the Japanese version is 92:58 minutes while the US version is 88:46 (4 MINUTES!!!! REALLY?)
Invasion of the Astro-Monster aka Godzilla VS Monster Zero
Released in 1965 for Japan and in 1970 for the US
The Story: The combination of the United States and Japan send a two man team to the recently discovered Planet X. They arrive and meet the local aliens who have a problem of their own, a giant monster who is all too familiar. They ask for Earth’s monsters in exchange for the cure for cancer, which they slowly decide on and agree. Godzilla and Rodan are taken to the Planet and do battle with Monster Zero aka King Ghidorah. Earth thinks the day is won but it turns out they were duped, the aliens want to take control over Earth and rule over it. The aliens unleash all three monsters on Earth causing destruction and mayhem. With the help of a nerdy inventor, Earth fights back and defeats the aliens as Godzilla and Rodan own Ghidorah.
Review: Man how could they have topped the previous one, well the amped up the science fiction elements and making it even more James bond like with a white guy in it who speaks Japanese throughout the film. This is another one of those well-paced and slow build up, big payoff Godzilla films. I love the villains, these are the best villains in the entire Godzilla franchise, and they come off as good guys but with their devilish intentions hidden. The space woman the white guy is in love with is super sexy, and her fate is sad, I do like she has a change of heart. The parallel of good against evil is not in full force as it was with the last two; this one does have the classic good guys conquering the evil bad guys. The giant monster fights in this one were amazing, the fight on Planet X was very fun and seeing Godzilla doing his victory jump is always the highlight and the final fight between the three is one of the best to date. Also the music is super catchy, really fun, and upbeat.
This one too is shown in color and presented in TOHO SCOPE. The run time for the Japanese version is 94:13 minutes and the US version is 92:57. This DVD gets an A+
All Monsters Attack aka Godzilla’s Revenge
Released in 1969 for Japan and 1971 for the US
The Story: essentially the greatest hits of stock footage from other Godzilla films all interlinked to a story about a young boy who must overcome bullies and thieves who kidnapped him
Review: Now this one is I have seen and was more or less hating on seeing it since I knew this was considered the weakest of them since it’s here where the films were being aimed for kids, but to my surprise I did enjoy it but nowhere near as the others, it’s much better than Raids Again in my eyes at least. The opening song is very childish and is kind of catchy. The moments with the kid aren’t as horrible as you think, you do feel sorry for this kid and if you grew up in a similar fashion you can sympathize. The stock footage moments are indeed some of the best fight moments that aren’t related to Rodan, Ghidorah, or Mothra. Also Godzilla’s son has a better voice in the Japanese version and is not god awfully annoying in the dub
This one is also in Color and in TOHO SCOPE. The run time for the Japanese version is 69:17 and the US version is 69:12 (Why 5 seconds is beyond me). This DVD gets a B-
Terror of MechaGodzilla
Released in 1975 for Japan and 1977 for the US
The Story: Following the events of Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla, the evil spacemen along with the mad scientist and his own controlled sea monster Titanosaurous seek revenge at the world by rebuilding MechaGodzilla and using the scientist’s cyborg daughter as the brain.
Review: This is the swan song of the collection; I’m a big fan of MechaGodzilla, essentially the perfect counterpart to Godzilla, if not more superior in terms of firepower. This is essentially a reversal where Godzilla teams up with a monster to defeat the big baddie but here we have two villains teaming up to defeat Godzilla, its only with the help of the humans to keep Titanosaurous at bay while Godzilla defeats MechaGodzilla once and for all. The mad scientist is very over the top in terms of villainy and the space men aren’t as subtle as the Planet X aliens. The giant monster fights are fun and quite memorable.
This one is presented in color and is in TOHO SCOPE. The run time in Japan is 83:14 minutes while the US version is 88:59 minutes (How the US version is LONGER is beyond me)
And those are the 6 collected TOHO Master Collection of Godzilla movies presented to us by Classic Media. Sadly there is no word on a second volume to collect the movies from the mid-80s to the late 90s, which is the era I’m more familiar with. Pick these up wherever available, you can get all 6 in a box set for a good bargain on Amazon. Catch you guys later, ComicCritic87 OUT!!!!