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