Godzilla Raids Again

                                            

                                                   Godzilla Raids Again is the Godzilla film I've seen only a couple times, and the one I don't care to watch that often. The film was released in 1955 just one years after the release of the first and the year before Americanization of the original film was released. The movie confirms Dr. Yamane's prediction that another Godzilla will resurface if nuclear tests continue. The Godzilla in this film is the one to carry out the rest of the Showa era. The film marks the first time Godzilla fights another monster which continued throughout the series.

                                               
                                                 The film begins with a couple of pilots who find themselves on an island, where they witness a new Godzilla and a new monster, Anguirus, fighting. It is revealed that the monsters had a rivalry millions of  years earlier that continues to this day. Unlike the original, we get a clear view of the monsters right away. There's no buildup and no tension or mystery. The Godzilla suit had been slimmed down so the actor could fight, and the suit overall looks cheaper than the original. Another thing is the monsters look as if they're moving 2x the speed or something. Apparently this was due to a camera technician accidentally under cranking the camera  resulting in the action appearing faster than reality. Special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya liked the effect and decided to use it in the film. Unfortunately, this took away the effect that these are giant creatures moving. Throughout the film, Godzilla and Anguirus go at it until Godzilla bites Anguirus's neck and burns his corpse. Of course, Japan still has Godzilla to deal with. They lead Godzilla to an island and bury him in ice.

                                     
                                                   The characters in this film aren't nearly as interesting as the original. Dr Yamane makes a return briefly to merely say told you so and explain that they can't defeat Godzilla as they did before. The leads are the two pilots and one does sacrifice himself at the end, but you really don't feel anything. As a whole this film jumps far away from the tone of the original into B movie territory. The miniatures still look great, and there is plenty of destruction. There's no moment of grief in the movie as a result of the destruction. This takes away the grit that the original had.

                                                 

              As with the original, this one also has an Americanized version called Gigantis The Fire monster. It's probably the most butchered of the Godzilla series. It called Godzilla, Gigantis. It interchanges Anguirus as both monster's name. For some reason, it uses auguirus's roar for Godzilla throughout the film. The dialog is the worst part. It is just plain absurd even for an English dub. I have actually not watched this version all the way through; and when I have watched some of it, I had the commentary playing.

                                              This one surfers from straying too far from the original, but not going all out like later installments.  Just like Godzilla, the series was put on ice for 7 years for big return.