Godzilla Monthly: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla

8:00 PM on 12.01.2011   |   Chris Walden

I bet you weren't expecting this were you? Every month I'll be bringing you the low-down on a different Godzilla film. Why? Why not? I'm spreading the 'zilla love! This series of films are hugely entertaining, even more so when you are just chilling with some mates. It's certainly debatable whether these films are works of art or not, but it's fact that it's impossible to have a Godzilla film that isn't entertaining. 

Of course, these 'reviews' will be done a little differently to those boring, conventional ones. Come see me after the jump where I reveal all!

Film: Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla
Released: 2002 
Series: Millenium
Film No: 26 of 28
Price: From $5.87

So, where to begin? We'll start with the film trailer, as that should be enough to get us into a kaiju mood! Being the first in the monthly Godzilla series, things were bound to go wrong. Apparently, the official trailer to this film isn't on Youtube. However, I've found an equally awesome trailer! At the very least, it's winning the Michael Bay award for completely necessary explosions. 

Looking at the first half of the trailer, the film looks pretty spectacular. Not all of the films have such a professional look about them, and considering it's essentially a film about three guys in suits, they've nailed down a really sweet trailer. Now, towards the end you start to see a few of the less impressive special effects. For that, I'm awarding bonus points. This film runs on corn and it's completely necessary. In total, I award four out of five Godzillas for the trailer. Good work... whoever made this!

Plot is an imperative part of a film. Very rarely can a film have no plot and still be super fun (why hello there, The Expendables), so let's take a look at what Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla has to offer. 

It is 45 years since the original attack and defeat of Godzilla, but another Godzilla is still running rampant and destroying Japan. However, hope is not lost as scientists have discovered the bones of the original Godzilla underwater, and build their latest fighting machine with the bones as a base. They build the super fighting robot Kiryu, otherwise known as Mechagodzilla. Then begins an epic face-off, never before seen in a Godzilla film. Disregarding the other three Mechagodzilla films anyway. 

On the surface, it seems like an average plot. Building a giant robot to fight a monster is hardly anything new when it comes to kaiju films. Even shows like Power Rangers and Ultraman have done it! Godzilla films have done it plenty before, and while there are three other films that have the metal monster as the titular enemy, he also appears in a few others. So why the big fuss? I'll tell you, but sit down. It'll blow your mind. 

It's commonly accepted that the Godzilla in these films is, in fact, Godzilla Junior. He has appeared as a short and stumpy, almost Barney-esque version of the big-bad dinosaur we're used to seeing (if you aren't looking at the iguana from the US Godzilla). He's matured into a reptilian killing machine, and with the murder of his relative in '54, who can blame him? So when he attacks Japan, what else would they use besides the bones of what could even be his father to fight against him? Not only are we killing an innocent and obviously distressed creature, but bringing one of his own from his watery grave to do so! Who cares about the rest of the plot in that film regarding that woman no one likes, this is Oscar material right here. Five Godzillas out of five!

So now we come to the kaiju themselves. Who are the monsters involved in the film, and how awesome are they? Well of course, we have Godzilla. He's sporting a new look that is seen in the latter three films, looking considerably more intimidating than most of his earlier forms. However, he doesn't quite look as awesome as Godzilla from Godzilla 2000, so unfortunately for this movies 'king of the monsters', he doesn't get top marks. 

The only other kaiju in this film, who I'm hoping you've figured out, is Mechagodzilla. He's looking super cool in comparison to his previous iterations, with a genuinely futuristic look about him. The only qualm I have about his design comes from the whopping missile unit he keeps on his back, as being a different colour and having an odd shape, it looks a little off. Still, he's pretty intimidating, has the bones of the original Godzilla and is being used for the sake of peace. 

Mothra and Gaira appear in flashbacks during the film, but they don't count! The two don't show up at any point besides the flashbacks, so that's the reasoning on that one. Godzilla had appeared in 26 films including this one, with Mechagodzilla showing up in 4. As awesome as they are, there's nothing quite like variety, so only two Godzillas out of five on this occasion! 

It's all well and good having two mighty kaiju fighting for their lives, but what about their attacks? Do we get to see any flashy moves and ridiculous super powers? Of course we do! Now, it's a little difficult to talk about Godzilla in this section, as he doesn't really change things up all that often. He'll always go for a hands on tussle, as well as using his signature atomic breath to stop all those that oppose him. So, what does Mechagodzilla posses to dispatch Godzilla with? Well...

Oral Maser Cannon - Godzilla was never really injured by the portable maser cannons that crop up during the films. However, whatever they've done to the one inside Mechagodzilla is certainly working! He can fire this maser cannon out of his mouth, causing Godzilla to writhe in pain. It's not going to take him down, but it's certainly a formidable weapon. 

Dual Laser Cannons - What's better than a laser cannon? Two laser cannons! Two on each arm! You can get an idea of what it's like in the header image, but it delivers rapid fire and an acceptable number of explosions. 

Flight Pack - While not intended as a weapon, it allows Mechagodzilla to perform jump attacks. When the rockets inside it are diminished, he can launch this pack at Godzilla and detonate it. 

Rocket Launchers - When you have lasers, what else do you need? Copious amounts of rocket, and boy does he deliver! Mechagodzilla more or less greets people with a barrage of rockets, though they don't seem to do much past getting Godzilla's attention. 

Concealed Electric Blade - You know what would be awesome in the next Assassin's Creed game? Concealed blades! But not those rubbish ones Ezio currently uses. Metal instruments are way more fun with an electrical current running through them, so take note!

Absolute Zero Cannon - Mechagodzilla's ultimate attack, which depletes his energy supplies by a huge amount. From inside his chest, he can fire a ball of energy that instantly freezes anything in it's vicinity (except Mechagodzilla, obviously), which will then crumble under its own weight. This is a finishing move if ever I saw one! 

There is plenty of variation used in the film, so the attacks don't ever start feeling stale. It also helps that there are jet fighters helping out for the most part, so it's absolutely rife with lasers and explosions. Impressive, considering there are only two kaiju! I think that deserves four out of five Godzillas!

Three out of five Godzillas!

Being one of the later released films, it's certainly better looking than some of the others. Godzilla just looks outright cool and it's super fun to watch. Best of all you don't need to have seen any of the other films to appreciate it. Of course, having seen the 1954 original will certainly add to the experience due to Mechagodzilla, but we'll get to that next month!

Overall Godzillas: 18/25
Godzilla mentioned: 46 times