Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla II

                            Despite having 2 in the American title, this film is actually not a sequel. The  number was added for international distribution due to their being a Showa film sharing the same name.
                            The United Nations establish the United Nation Godzilla Countermeasures Center(UNGCC).  Their military branch G-Force salvages the remains of Mecha-King Ghidorah to create Mechagodzilla, their ultimate weapon against Godzilla.  On an island in the Bering Sea, a large dinosaur egg is discovered. Before long,  the giant pteranodon Rodan shows up. Godzilla then arrives on the island and battles Rodan as the researchers escape. Rodan is defeated. The egg is taken back to Japan where it hatches.

Turns out to be a Godzillasaurus like Godzilla, but a non aggressive species. By studying it, They discover it has a second brain in it lower back. They use this info in their strategy against Godzilla. Rodan, now with some sort of fire breath,  arrives and ruins their plans. They send Mechagodzilla out which defeats Rodan. They successfully incapacitate Godzilla by destroying his second brain.  Rodan arises once more, and transfers his life force to Godzilla which repairs his second brain, Godzilla, now supercharged, destroys Mechagodzilla, then heads out to sea with the Godzillasaurus.
                           
                         Unlike the earlier incarnation of the character, Mechagodzilla was turned into a weapon against Godzilla rather than a threat to earth. This film is when mankind finally stands a chance against Godzilla. Godzilla's first encounter with it almost overwhelms him.  At the beginning of the film, the narration speaks of two weapons being built. The other being an attack plane called Garuda.

For the finale, the two machines combine to create Super-Mechagodzilla which almost kills Godzilla. Rodan is kept pretty tradition in design and abilities until the third act when he gets some sort of fire breath. The reason for this isn't entirely clear. The Godzillasaurus AKA Baby Godzilla, actually looks like a reptile rather than the puffy monstrosity of earlier version. There's a subplot involving a woman who Baby Godzilla has latch itself upon considering  her its mother. Kind of touching. The fights between Godzilla and Mechagodzilla involve very little physical combat. It's  primarily projectiles. Mechagodzilla's attacks against Godzilla is just an onslaught of various weapons giving him no chance to recover. When Godzilla finally defeats Mechagodzilla, he has gained a enhance atomic beam which obliterates the it.  With explosive special effects and a great re- imagining of classic monsters, this is one of the best of the Heisei.

Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth.

                        There's a lot of nostalgia for this entry. It was one of the few films in the series that I owned on VHS before all the films became easily available. It's a new take on a old adversary.
                         Following Godzilla vs King Ghidorah, a meteor lands in the Ogasawara  Trench where it awakens Godzilla. Meanwhile, the Japanese government sends an expedition to Infant Island. There they discover Mothra's egg, and meet the Cosmos( Mothra's tiny fairies).

They tell them of a  rivalry between Mothra and a new monster Battra. A ship with a raft is sent to transport the egg to Japan.  When in Transit, Godzilla and Battra show up. The egg hatches revealing Mothra's larva stage. Godzilla and Battra duke it out as Mothra escapes. Godzilla and Battra are seemingly engulfed by a underwater volcanic eruption. In Japan, the Cosmos are stolen by a greedy businessman who wants to profit off them. Mothra comes to Japan to save them. After ensuring their safety, she cocoons herself, and transform into her moth form. Meanwhile, Battra is discovered to still be alive, and transforms into its flying form.

Godzilla then are arrives out of Mt Fuji. Mothra and Battra battle it out until Godzilla arrives. They eventually join forces to take on Godzilla. They carry Godzilla out to sea, but Battra is killed in the process. Mothra then leaves Earth to stop a meteor which could destroy the planet.
                           This film carries a bit of a environmental message in it. The disasters that the meteor brings forth are retribution for the damage man has done to the planet. The Cosmos put it as the earth getting revenge. The overall point is the earth belongs to every living thing and it must be treated with care and respect. The Battra/ Mothra story is closely tied to the earth. Battra was created by the earth when a ancient civilization created a device to control the weather which angered the earth.

  This film has what I call a badass Godzilla moment. Godzilla is swallowed by an underwater eruption and swims in molten lava to Mt Fuji.  It's like Thor taking the full force of a star in Avengers Infinity War. The human characters are a explorer, his ex-wife, their daughter, and they seem to know Miki Saegusa( the psychic girl throughout the Heisei films). Their story is really about them reconnecting. They're the ones who rescue the Cosmos and the explorer and his wife were part of the island expedition.  This film is also notable for being the few Mothra appearances in the Godzilla series where she doesn't die. This entry has loads of monster action, and the story is well written.
It doesn't have any aspects which are not explained well.  Not quite as good as Godzilla vs Mothra( 1964), but a solid entry.

Godzilla vs King Ghidorah

                          Godzilla vs King Ghidorah is when the Heisei era really took off.  It has one the most complex plots of the series  involving time travel and Godzilla's origins.
                          Godzilla has been resting in a deep sea trench since the last film. Attempting to recover from the Anti Nuclear Energy Bacteria which he was exposed to. A UFO is spotted over Japan until it comes to rest at the base of Mt Fuji. The occupants are revealed to be Futurians, time travelers from the 23rd century. They warn of a future where Japan is destroyed by Godzilla. The only way to prevent this is to erase Godzilla from history.

They travel back to 1944 to an Island in the Marshal chain where a garrison of Japanese soldiers were saved by a dinosaur who kills the invading US forces. The island was subjected to atomic test ten years later. Using teleportation, they transport the dinosaur to the Bering Straight. When they return to the present, Godzilla has disappeared from his resting place, but in his place a new monster has surfaced, King Ghidorah. The Futurians lied about the future. Japan was actually the most prosperous nation in the 23rd century. They wanted to weaken Japan with King Ghidorah.

They created the monster by leaving these cute little creatures called dorats which merged into one giant creature when exposed to radiation. Now Japan has a dilemma. They need Godzilla to fight this new threat. The send a nuclear sub to the Baring Straight in hopes of blasting the dinosaur with radiation to create a new Godzilla. Little do they know, a Russian sub sunk there years earlier, irradiating the dinosaur. The sub they send is destroyed, and merely just strengthens Godzilla. Godzilla fights King Ghidorah and defeats him. Now Japan has Godzilla to deal with. One of the Futurians who has a change of heart, salvages the remains of King Ghidorah in the 23rd century, and creates a cyborg, Mecha-King Ghidorah.

they send it back in time to fight Godzilla. It takes Godzilla out to sea where Godzilla emerges still alive.
                           This film isn't the most action packed of the series. In fact, godzilla doesn't show til over 45 minutes in. But the plot is very intriguing that it doesn't hurt the film. The issues with the time travel in this film, it's not really clear on how it works. They eliminate Godzilla from history, but people still remember his existence. There's articles that do try to make sense of it, but there's still a failure on the movies script for not making it clear. The Futurians are pretty interesting. They are part of a group with the goal of balancing the power of Earth's nations. Their crew also include a android which is used to resemble the Machines from the recently released Terminator 2. They even have scenes resembling moments from that film. Even on one of the posters he looks like a terminator.

The WWII scenes actually garnered some controversy initially due to the depiction of American soldiers being trampled by the Godzillasaurus. The main moment to note is two naval officers on the ship who see the time machine fly by, thinking it;s a extraterrestrial aircraft. One says to the other, " Let's keep this our little secret. You can tell your son about it, Major Spielberg".  The commander of  the Japanese garrison eventually becomes a successful businessman, and watches as his former savior destroys the city he's help build. He comes eye to eye with the monster. You think maybe they'll have a moment. But nope, Godzilla just blasts him with his atomic breath. The best part of this film how Japan can't catch a break.  They remove Godzilla. King Ghidorah shows up. They need Godzilla to defeat King Ghidorah. Godzilla defeats King Ghidorah. Now they need something to fight Godzilla.  With the convoluted aspects of its time travel put aside, this is one of the best of the series.

Godzilla vs Biollante

                         Godzilla vs Biollante was released in 1989. Five years after The Return of Godzilla.  It brought back the monster brawl with a new monster for Godzilla to face.

                         The film starts out with a recap of the previous film's ending, reestablishing Godzilla is only entrapped in Mt. Mihara.  In his wake, Godzilla has left precious Godzilla cells. Cells are stolen,and taken to Saradia where Dr. Genshiro Shiragami does research on them until a terrorist attack destroys the cells and kills his daughter.

Five years later Shiragami has merged his daughter's cells with that of a rose to preserve her soul. The JSDF uses Godzilla cells in hopes to create Anti-Nuclear Energy Bacteria as a weapon against Godzilla if he returns. Shiragami agrees to help create the ANEB, but under the condition he has access to the cells for his own research. He merges the G-Cells with the rose in hope of keeping it from dying. The result is a giant rose he names Biollante. 

                           An  American genetics company plants explosives at mount Mihara threatening to release Godzilla if the cells aren't handed over. The Japanese agree to hand them over. but the trade is thwarted by a Saradian agent who also wants the cells. Godzilla is released and seeks out Biollante who is defeated with ease. The JSDF use ANEB against Godzilla which seems to have no effect.

They determine that Godzilla's body temperature needs to be raised for the bacteria to take effect. They construct microwave-emitting plates which create artificial lightning to raise Godzilla's temperature. They lure him into into the trap until Biollante arrives now larger than godzilla. Godzilla and Biollante fight it out until Godzilla flees, and collapses on the beach exhausted from the ANEB. The Saradian agent kills Shiragami, but is disintegrated on one of the plates.

Biollante dissolves and floats into space, but the spirit Shiragami's daughter ascends with it. Godzilla awakes.and heads out to sea.

                             As earlier films explored the dangers of nuclear energy, this film explored genetic engineering. Biollante is one the most creative monsters of the series. As Godzilla represents the dangers of nuclear energy, Biollante is the result of the mismanagement of genetic power. A line within the film sums up its view on the two monsters. Shiragami states, " Godzilla and Biollante are not monsters. It's the scientists who create them who are the true monsters". It really hits home a message of responsible use of power mankind possesses. The film is heavily human driven . The human plot involves different parties who desire the cells which results in a significant amount of action and car chases. One thing that really sets the Heisei era apart from the Showa is continuity. These films acknowledge previous events, and many characters  return throughout these films. This allows viewers to follow and watch as characters grow as their fight against Godzilla and other threats go on. The JSDF command is kept from film to film which makes you feel for them due to all the struggles they go through.

One Character is particular is Miki Saegusa. She is a Psychic who joins G-Force in the fight against Godzilla. As the films go on, she comes to realize Godzilla has a purpose,  Godzilla vs Biollante is a overlooked film in the series primarily due to it using a original monster. For the next entry, TOHO would bring back Godzilla most famous adversary.

Return of Godzilla

                                 RETURN OF GODZILLA

TOHO brought Godzilla back in 1984 with The Return of Godzilla or simply title Godzilla in Japan. The film started the Heisei series which wiped the slate clean with the exception of the ’54 film.  This era took a more serious approach and presented Godzilla as a force of nature.                         The film begins with a fishing vessel caught in a storm near an island. Within the raging storm, the island seems to come alive. A few days later, reporter Goro Maki discovers the ship's remains. He slips aboard to find the whole crew dead, seemingly drained of blood. The only survivor is a crew member named Hiroshi Okumura. Maki is attacked by a giant Sea louse, but is saved by Okumura. When they return, it is determined that what Okumura saw was a new Godzilla.  The discovery is kept secret, therefore preventing Maki from sharing his story.  He visits a professor named Hayashida who presents his theories on Godzilla. There he meets Naoko, Okumura's sister, and informs her that her brother is alive.                            A Soviet nuclear submarine is attacked by Godzilla. To prevent a Cold War escalation, the Japanese reveal the return of Godzilla. At a cabinet meeting the JSDF reveal their secret weapon Super X. A attack plane specifically designed to handle nuclear disasters. Godzilla attacks a nuclear power plant to consume the energy from the reactor. Professor Hayashida discovers Godzilla can be lured by the call of birds. He proposes they use this to lure Godzilla to Mount Mihara to trap him in the volcano. The Prime Minister meets with American and Soviet representatives who propose using nuclear weapons. The minister reinstates Japan's zero tolerance for using nuclear weapons.                          Godzilla appears in Tokyo bay. The JSDF attempts to stop him, Godzilla makes short work of their forces. During the conflict, a Soviet ship is damaged resulting in an accidental launch  of a nuclear warhead from a satellite Godzilla is confronted by the Super X which seems to successfully bring him down. The Soviet launch is discovered, and the American's assistance is requested in shooting the missile down.  Meanwhile, Professor Hayashida, Maki, and Naoko are extracted from a building near by, Due to winds, Maki and Naoko are left to find their own way out of the building. The Americans successfully shoot down the missile, but the blast results in an electrical storm and a EMP.  The radiation revives Godzilla who destroys the Super X. Maki and Naoko are caught up in destruction. Hayashida arrives at the volcano to activate the signal.  Before Maki and Naoko are trampled, Godzilla turns away, and follows the signal.  He arrives at the islands, and after some hesitation he falls into he volcano becoming imprisoned within.                         This film was a return to the tone of the original. Godzilla is back to being the villain and there are real stakes involving the characters. The Godzilla suit has been given a overhaul with a more menacing look.  The film also revisits the nuclear themes of the original through the discussions with the Soviets and Americans. The film did get a Americanized version called Godzilla 1985. It added American footage. giving an american perspective on the story. It also saw the return of Raymond Burr as Reporter Steve Martin. He is brought in by the American's due to being a eye witness to Godzilla's attack in '54. The film makes some story changes. It hints that Godzilla may not have been killed in '54, not indicating this is a new Godzilla. It presents the ending as Godzilla being killed, not just entrapped. One of the biggest changes is the Soviet missile launch. The Japanese version presents it as a accidental launch, while the America version  makes it intentional. This film is very underrated, partly due to their being no opposing monster, It conveys a sense of dread that few others in the series contain. It really reestablished Godzilla as the king of the monsters.

Terror of Mechagodzilla

           Terror of Mechagodzilla is the final film in the Showa series. It put Godzilla up against Mechagodzilla again a new monster Titanosaurus. The movies takes place shortly after Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla. An expedition is sent to recover the remains of Mechagodzilla, but the sub is destroyed by Titanosaurus. Interpol investigates with the help of a marine biologist, Akira Ichinose. He follows a lead to a scientist named Mafune who was laughed out of the scientific community due to his claims of discovering Titanosaurus years earlier. Ichinose searches for Mafune only to discovery his daughter, Katsura,  who claims her father has died. As it turns out, Mafune is still alive and in cahoots with aliens who have recovered the Mechagodzilla remains This time they look like the psychics from Beneath the Planet of the Apes under their goofy outfits.

. He hates mankind for their rejection of his discovery. Katsura eventually provides Ichinose with her father's note, and the two develop feelings for one another.  Turns out, Mafune and the aliens are in control of Titanosaurus. Mafune sends it out without their permission, but Godzilla shows up and drives it away. Ichinose see's Katsura at the disaster site. He follows, and she seemingly falls to her death. It is revealed that Katsura is cyborg,and she died years earlier during one of her fathers experiments. The aliens brought her back, which is one reason He's loyal to them. Ichinose is captures after returning to Mafune's home. He learns of their plans and Katsura's secret. She has had her emotions wiped since he last saw her. Also the aliens place the Mechagodzilla controller within Katsura.

They unleash Mechagodzilla and Titanosaurus upon Tokyo, until Godzilla shows up to take them on. Interpol has discovered Titanosaurus has a weakness to supersonic waves, and they use this to drive the monster crazy. Godzilla focuses on Mechagodzilla as Titanosaurus is preoccupied.  Meanwhile Interpol agents stage a rescue of Ichinose during which Mafune and Katsura are shot. Katsura regains her emotions when her father calls out her name.

Ichinose embraces her until she shoots herself, destroying the Mechagodzilla controller.  Mechagodzilla is disabled which allows Godzilla to finish him off. He turns his attention to Titanosaurus and kills him with a atomic blast to the chest. Ichinose holds Katsura in his arms as Godzilla returns to sea.

Terror of Mechagodzilla was a great film to go out on. It had a great mix of character drama and monster action.  The new monster Titanosaurus is one of the more normal monsters of the series . He has no projectiles or secret abilities. One sad thing about his fate is, it is mentioned he's a gentle dinosaur and only acts aggressive due to the mind control. The Katsura character really stood out. She's conflicted between her devotion to her father and the feelings she developed for Ichinose. She ultimately must sacrifice herself to save the world. Sadly, the first american version I saw cut her sacrifice leaving no explanation on why Mechagodzilla stopped functioning.

Back to Germany, they must really love giant ape names. They have both King Kong and Konga.
         A reflection on Showa series it has some good ,some bad, but there's a charm these films have even at their worst.   

 

Here's my Showa series rankings.

1.  Godzilla
   
2.  Mothra vs Godzilla
3. Ghidorah: The Three-Headed Monster
4. Invasion of Astro-Monster
5. Terror of Mechagodzilla
6. Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla
7. Destroy All Monsters
8. Godzilla vs Hedorah
9. King Kong vs Godzilla
10. Godzilla vs Megalon
11. Godzilla vs The Sea Monster
12. Godzilla vs Gigan
13. Godzilla Raids Again
14. Son of Godzilla
15. All Monsters Attack
    

Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla

                           Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla is the first of the MechaGodzilla Duology that closed out the Showa period. It introduced one of Godzilla's most popular foes who would go on to have a iteration in the three major eras. Another note of these two movies is they have two on one fight scenes with Godzilla and a ally vs MechaGodzilla in this one and the next one being MechaGodzilla and an ally vs Godzilla. 
                           The story is an Azumi priestess has a vision of  the world being destroyed by a giant monster. Meanwhile, Okinawa ruins are found with a statue of King Caesar, a Azumi god. A prophecy is written on the wall saying, "When a black mountain appears above the clouds, a huge monster will arise and try to destroy the world; but when the red moon sets and the sun rises in the west, two monsters shall appear to save the people.". The prophecy starts to come true including a monster arising. Godzilla comes out of Mt. Fuji, and wrecks havoc. Aguirus confronts this Godzilla, but of course gets his ass handed to him. Not before revealing a patch of metal beneath this Godzilla's skin. The real Godzilla shows up and confronts this impostor. He forces it to reveal it's true identity which is a mechanical version of himself. The fight ends with Godzilla missing and MechaGodzilla fleeing.  The Mechanical Godzilla is the super weapon of some aliens who look like Planet of the Apes rejects.

The aliens force a scientist to repair their damaged monster, while their agents pursue the statue. The statue is finally brought to the Azumi temple where the aliens try to stop them, but INTERPOL agents intervene. The statue is place upon the temple where a beam from its eyes reveals the sleeping place of King Caesar. The Azumi priestess sings to awaken the sleeping monster as a repaired MechaGodzilla approaches. King Caesar awakes just in time to confront the mechanical menace. He holds his own for a little while, but MechaGodzilla gets the upper hand. Godzilla arrives and teams up with King Caesar. During this to time, INTERPOL invades the alien base to save the scientist and destroy the MechaGodzilla controller.

With the computer destroyed, MechaGodzilla goes offline.  Godzilla displays yet another new ability that is not used again. By getting  struck by lightning, he has turned himself into a magnetic conductor. He uses this ability to keep MechaGodzilla from escaping. The statue is returned to the temple, and King Caesar goes back to sleep.

                 This film is a big improvement over the last few entries. It has little if any stock footage, the story is pretty intriguing, and the miniatures and fight choreography is top notch. I consider it a return to form for the series. The two new monsters are very unique.

King Caesar is something right out of eastern mythology. He isn't given any insane powers except he can reflect MechaGodzilla's laser beam back at him. MechaGodzilla is one the series' best. It was inspired by Mechani-Kong, a cyborg version of Kong featured in King Kong Escapes. MechaGodzilla is a worthy opponent to Godzilla. He even draws blood. The film even has interesting human characters. They are involved in a espionage like plot involving the statute. There's even a fair bit of action involving the humans. This is definitely a highly recommended entry.... And once again, the German's put King Kong in the title.

Godzilla vs. Megalon

                 GODZILLA VS MEGALON
               

                Godzilla vs Megalon was the last in the "tag team duology". This film introduced two new monsters Megalon, a giant beetle from an undersea kingdom and Jet Jaguar, a humanoid robot created by an inventor. It also saw the return of Gigan. 

                 The plot involves underground nuclear tests have disturbed the undersea kingdom of Seatopia. Meanwhile an inventor named Goro creates a Robot named Jet Jaguar.

Agents of Seatopia want control of the robot to guide their monster Megalon. They gain control of the robot and use it to guide Megalon. Eventually, Goro manages to regain control of Jet Jaguar, and sends him to get Godzilla. Seatopia requests the help of the aliens of the previous movie who lend them Gigan. Jet Jaguar returns to Goro, confirming he succeeded in his mission. Jet Jaguar ignores Goro's commands and heads to hold Megalon off until Godzilla arrives. Goro states he programmed free will into him in survival situation. This is before many of the AI uprising films, so he didn't know better. Jet Jaguar confronts Megalon. Due to his free will, he can change his size at will. Makes perfect sense. He holds his own against Megalon until Gigan arrives, and they pummel him. Godzilla arrives, and saves Jet Jaguar.

They team up, and drive the monsters away. Gigan flees to space, while Megalon returns to Seatopia. Godzilla and Jet Jaguar share a hearty handshake, and part ways. Jet Jaguar returns to normal size, and gives up his free will. He walks away with Goro as the catchy Jet Jaguar theme plays.

               This film would fall into the forgettable category if it wasn't for Jet Jaguar. He has a cool design, and a catchy theme song. It was actually conceived as a Jet Jaguar movie, but was changed to Godzilla for marquee value.  The film does use quite a bit of stock footage for the Gigan scenes, but there's enough new footage to make up for it. The choreography is greatly improved over the previous entry. Jet Jaguar actually contributes to the fight. There's one tag team move that is the funniest moment of the series since Godzilla's victory dance on Monster Zero. 

The fate of Megalon is left to that he just returned to Seatopia. Gigan's ultimate demise was featured in TOHO's Zone Fighter. A television series like Ultraman set in the Godzilla universe.  Godzilla makes an appearance in a episode along with Gigan in which Zone Fighter finally kills him.

             This film has a very interesting home media release, It was mistakenly believed to be in the public domain which resulted in many unlicensed video releases. Such as one cover featuring Godzilla and Gigan on top of the World Trade Center which never happens in the movie. Most likely done to capitalize  off the recent King Kong Remake.

Speaking of King Kong, the German version renamed Jet Jaguar King King, and put him in the title.

         This is a very enjoyable entry that stands out mainly thanks to Jet Jaguar and the well choreographed tag team fight sequences.

The Themes of Godzilla

             More Than Just a Monster: The Underlining Themes of the Godzilla Franchise

                        The Godzilla franchise spans 32 Japanese films and 2 American adaptations. They’re generally regarded as cheesy monster films by American audiences, but to the Japanese, many of the films contain themes related to their country’s experiences.  This will be an evaluation of many of the themes throughout the series starting with the creation of Godzilla.

                         The origins of Godzilla can be traced back to atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Ishiro Honda who directed and co-wrote Gojira, the original Japanese name for Godzilla, was a soldier in the Japanese army and saw firsthand the devastation by the bomb. For years, he wanted to direct a film about the horrors of atomic warfare, but the occupation of Japan by U.S. forces prevented him from flat out making such as film. According to Hibakusha Cinema, U.S. authorities supervised, guided, and censored all forms of Japanese artistic expression and mass communications. Depictions of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were handled with utmost care. One requirement was to put the blame on the Japanese leadership and not the Americans. Emphasizing, the Americans had no choice. The occupation lasted until 1952. (Hirano) Another inspiration was The Lucky Dragon No 5 incident and the re-release of King Kong and the release of The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms. Cineaste Journal discusses these influences. In March of 1954, The U.S. tested its first hydrogen in the Marshall Islands. Unfortunately, a Japanese fishing vessel, The Lucky Dragon No 5, was not warned of the test, and was exposed to fallout. The ship returned to port covered in radioactive ash and the crew developed radiation sickness resulting in the death of the radio operator. (Brothers) This event was alluded to in Gojira’s opening scene where a Japanese fishing boat is attacked by Godzilla, but the crew only sees a flash of light a lot like the flash of the H-bomb. It’s also no coincident that the death explicitly shown in this scene is that of the radio operator. One thing that sets Gojira apart from other monster films of the 50s is Atomic energy is not just a plot device, but Godzilla himself is a representation of the atomic bomb. An element that eludes to this is Godzilla’s skin is meant to look like the sores people developed from radiation burns. Many moments in the film reflect the Japanese people during wartime. A wall of fire during one of Godzilla’s attacks is a nod to the firebomb attacks by U.S. forces during WWII. At it’s core the original film is a cautionary tale of the dangers of nuclear weapons.  Two years after the release of Gojira in 1956, the film was reedited and released as Godzilla: King of the Monsters for American audiences. This film added American actor Raymond Burr and through body doubles made it appear he was interacting with the original cast.  About forty minutes of the film was cut to make room for Burr whose role was really just to narrate what’s going on. This allowed the removal of much of the exposition. In the film journal Canadian Dimension, The American distributors primary focus was to get more butts into seat. They felt Americans would not see a film with only Japanese actor just 10 years after WWII. (Schwartzman). The result was somewhat faithful to the original film. Obviously, many of the cultural references to the atom bomb went over the Americans’ head. There were a few more direct references were left on the cutting room floor. A couple riding a train during Godzilla’s attack make a reference to them feeling likes it Hiroshima all over again. The final line is the biggest change. In the original, Dr. Yumani who is a scientist that gives exposition on Godzilla and want the monster to be studied states that, “Another Godzilla will resurface as long as Atomic tests continue” (Honda). This ecompasses the theme of the film as the danger a nuclear annihilation will ever be present as long as nuclear weapons exist. This also sets up the many upcoming sequels. In the American version, Raymond Burr talks about the world can once again have peace. The is a more positive conclusion, rather than the warning the original leaves the audience with.

                         The following sequels were divided into four distinct periods. The Showa which ran from 1954-1975 saw the transformation of Godzilla from an allegory for nuclear destruction to the savior of Japan. The Heisei which ran from 1984-1995 ignored all Showa films except for the original. This era made Godzilla a force of nature. The Millennium series which ran from 1999-2004 had each film serve as direct sequels to the original. This series contained different tones and themes. Finally, the reboot era was started with 2016s Shin Godzilla and also contains a trilogy of anime films. Shin Godzilla took Godzilla back to his serious roots. In just ten years during the Showa period, Godzilla went from invader to ally of Japan. An article in Atomic bomb in Japanese Cinema, demonstrated the generational changes that lead to the drastic changes the series made. The 1960s saw economic growth for Japan and stability as a nation. The children during this time did not experience the horrors of the bomb so their worldview was quite different. The films during this time saw a more confident Japan. Rather than be helpless against invading monsters, they had the means to fight back. (Vohlidka) In King Kong vs Godzilla, Japan uses Kong to fight Godzilla rather than be at the mercy of the monster.  The themes moved to issues like greed. Godzilla vs Mothra contained a scene in which two business men fight over a large sum of cash as Godzilla approaches resulting in their deaths.  Ghidorah: The Three Headed monster is the first time Godzilla is presented as a hero. This was around the time of the Tokyo Olympics. This film had a message of unity with the monster joining forces. By the end of the Showa period, Godzilla became practically a superhero for children. The Nuclear theme didn’t resonate with younger audiences as it once did.   

                              Godzilla films has been viewed as a representation of Japanese/U.S. relations.  Like the Americans, Godzilla invades from the sea leaving destruction. His presence is ever felt in later films like the U.S. occupation. He goes from enemy to ally. A paper from Acta Orientalia Vilnensia looks at how some of the films demonstrate this relationship. In Gojira. Godzilla is the aggressor and leaves destruction equal to that of the Atom bomb. The American are nowhere in the original film. King Kong vs Godzilla demonstrates an American influence on Japan. Kong is obviously an American monster. He wins at the end which can be an interpretation of the death of old tradition. Godzilla vs Monster Zero features American actor Nick Adams who serves as a major character in both the Japanese and American versions. This is viewed as a change to the U.S. as Japan’s partner. (Ikeda)

                                One topic common in the series is environmentalism linking back to Godzilla vs Mothra. Mothra is very much connected to nature. The island Mothra comes from has been destroyed by nuclear tests. The film which presents this message the most is Godzilla vs Hedorah. According to an article on Motherboard, Japan was dealing with a serious pollution problem in the 70s. In Dokai Bay of northern Japan, the water had become so polluted that no aquatic life could live in it, and it was nicknamed the sea of death. (Oberhaus) Godzilla vs Hedorah was intended as an environmental message by director Yoshimitsu Banno. Just as Godzilla was the embodiment of the Atom Bomb, Hedorah is the embodiment of the damage pollution can cause. Hedorah is an alien lifeform which bonds with Earth’s pollution to form a giant monster which feeds on pollution and spreads its toxic sludge. The monster can fly and spreads a poisonous gas. This is a warning to the negative medical effects of smog. Hedorah is defeated by the combine forces of Japan and Godzilla, a reinforcement of the theme of working together to solve this crisis. The film ends with a gag of another Hedorah rising as a warning if pollution continues, another Hedorah will rise. This is like the ending to Gojira in which Yumani warns of continued nuclear tests.  The film Godzilla vs Biollante addressed genetic modifying and Japanese environmentalism. According to a Suny Fredonia paper, Japanese environmentalism is a culturally-embedded practice that is based on obligation, cooperation, and harmony with or toward nature. (Benton and Mariofiote)  The film involves a scientist combining Godzilla cells with that of a plant resulting in Biollante. The creation is a perversion of nature. The creature starts out as a giant beautiful flower, but later turns into monstrous acid spitting creature.  The theme of the film is man disrupting natural order. Godzilla’s very existence is a representation of that imbalance. Using this view, Godzilla’s destruction is punishment from nature. Exploitation of nature results in punishment by nature. The main point is said by Dr. Shiragami, the creator of Biollante. “Godzilla and Biollante are not monsters. The real monsters are the ones who created them”. (Ohmori) Mankind brings destruction upon itself when trying to manipulate nature.

                            TOHO returned to making Godzilla films with 2016’s Shin Godzilla. This film took Godzilla back to its roots. It serves as a hard reboot of the series setting up a world where Godzilla never existed until now. This film really looked at nuclear energy rather than atomic test making it more contemporary. A monster appears in Tokyo bay and the politicians are powerless to act against it. They determine it cannot come ashore disregarding a younger female scientist who believes it’s a possibility. Of course, it does. Eventually, the cabinet is wiped out, and it’s the younger generation that saves the day. An article on Inverse suggest this shows a divide between generations and that the current leadership is washed up (Zakarin). During Godzilla’s attack there’s is long process of command that must be approved for any firepower to be used. The prime minister even refuses to fire when he hears of the possibility of civilian casualties. This displays a lack to do what is necessary. The debate scenes are a satire of Japan’s slow government response to disaster. Japan’s military might is displayed in a open manner. According io9, Public opinion had been very anti-militaristic up until now due to North Korean tensions and other recent threats (Cranz). This film doesn’t shy away from displaying Japan’s strong, but outmatched military.  The film uses images related to the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown. When Godzilla comes ashore there’s a massive wave and later on, there’s a radiation cloud in Godzilla’s wake.  Unlike the original, the U.S. along with the world is involved, and even one of the leads is a U.S. diplomat. Also displays positive U.S. relations. The world decide nuclear weapons must be used against Godzilla making Japan the location for another nuclear strike. By the end, Godzilla is only contained. One-character states “we must learn to live with Godzilla”. This statement can be interpreted as one of the main points of the films. Nuclear energy will be around for a while, Japan must learn to live with it.

                          As for the American films, there have been two films made fully outside of Japan. Godzilla (1998) and Godzilla (2014). Godzilla (1998) carries vary little of it’s Japanese roots not just in look, but in theme. The film is based in the U.S., and the monster is merely a mutated iguana. The French are at fault for the monster’s creation. Blame was taken away from the Americans due to the military’s involvement in the film. Overall, there’s no warning of nuclear energy in this film, rather the main tension is keeping the monster from breeding.  Godzilla (2014) is more faithful to the Japanese films. The director Gareth Edwards told Daily News that “Godzilla' has always been about nuclear power and radiation. When writing the film, the horrible events in Fukushima happened and we had to make the decision: Do we stay away from that or do we acknowledge that you've opened this Pandora's box of nuclear power, and when it goes wrong, it really does go wrong?" (Sacks) Similar to the Japanese films, current event shaped the film. The ultimate message of this film is nature is out of man’s control. Ken Watanabe’s character states,” The arrogants of man is thinking nature is in our control and not the other way around’. (Edwards) One major difference is Godzilla’s origins. Rather than being a result of atomic testing, he’s an ancient alpha predator that the U.S. tried to kill with the A bomb. The bomb fails to kill him. This depowers the strength of the world’s most powerful weapon thus putting nature in control.

                           In conclusion, Godzilla is a misunderstood series. While many films do slide away from serious commentary, many of them contain themes that relate directly to the experiences and culture of the Japanese people.

                           Works Cited

Benton, Bond and Tracy Mariofiote. Fatalism, Fear, and Retribution: Japanese Environmentalism in Godzilla vs. Biollante. 2012. 25 April 2018.

Brothers, Peter H. "Japan's Nuclear Nightmare: How the Bomb Became a Beast Called Godzilla." Cineaste 2011: 36-40.

Cranz, Alex. Shin Godzilla Is a Wonderfully Over-the-Top Satire of Japan-US Relations. 7 October 2016. 23 April 2018.

Godzilla. Dir. Gareth Edwards. Perf. Ken Watanabe. 2014. BLU-RAY.

Godzilla vs Biollante. Dir. Kazuki Ohmori. Perf. Kôji Takahashi. 1989. DVD.

Gojira. Dir. Ishirô Honda. Perf. Takashi Shimura. 1954. DVD.

Hirano, Kyoko. "Depictions of US Bombings in Japanse Cinema During the US Occupation Period." Broderick, Mick. Hibakusha Cinema. New York: Routledge, 2009. 103-116. <https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5Xn_AQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA103&dq=japanese+cinema+during+the+us+occupation&ots=M0daWUz7UZ&sig=Z3C2IgizfcypsrzUMdHNXBJ2bYo#v=onepage&q=japanese%20cinema%20during%20the%20us%20occupation&f=false>.

Ikeda, Yoshiko. "Godzilla and the Japanese after World War II: From a scapegoat of the Americans to a saviour of the Japanese." Acta Orientalia Vilnensis (2011).

Oberhaus, Daniel. Godzilla Is a Radical Environmentalist. 22 September 2017. 23 April 2018.

Sacks, Ethan. The new 'Godzilla' reflects our current fears of nuclear and natural disasters. 11 May 2014. 24 April 2018.

Schwartzman, Victor. "How Gojira Became Godzilla." Canadian Dimension 2007: 44-45.

Vohlidka, John. "Atomic Reaction: Godzilla as a metaphore for generational attitude towards the United States and the bomb." Edwards, Matthew. The Atomic Bomb in Jaoanese Cinema. Jefferson: McFarland and company, inc, 2015. 56-65.

Zakarin, Jordan. Political Monster: The Secret Messages in Godzilla Movies. 11 October 2016. 23 April 2018.

                            

Godzilla vs Gigan

    Godzilla vs Gigan is the first in the "Tag Team Duology". It puts Godzilla and an Ally up against two adversaries. The story involves cockroaches from outer space who plan to take over the world using a children's theme park as their cover.. Their plan involves tapes with a signal only monsters can hear in order to control their monsters King Ghidorah and Gigan.

Godzilla and Anguirus hear the signal and investigate. The two confront their adversaries in a lengthy battle.Godzilla is almost killed by a laser concealed in the alien base resembling Godzilla. The base is destroyed by the JSDF. Godzilla recovers, and drives Gigan and King Ghidorah away.

The tag team concept seems like a great idea, but there are two big problems with this film. It has a over reliance on stock footage and Anguirus gets his ass kicked the whole movie,  The stock footage at many times does not match the time of day or location. Another problem with the fights is subject relation to one another. It will follow two of the monsters for a while, neglecting what the other two are doing. The film also has two firsts for the series.

Gigan draws blood form Godzilla and the monster's talk.  Not like they do in Ghidorah The Three-Headed Monster, but audible speech. It should be noted that it's only in the American version they talk. In the Japanese version, they are given speech bubbles like a comic book.  What makes this stand out is Gigan. He's a very unique monster. It's a shame his debut film was underwhelming.  He would go on to appear in another Showa  and in one Millennium film. This film is definitely a weaker entry due to it's use of stock footage, and weak fight choreography.