Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla

Rating:
Summary: the new film by Maasaki Tezuka: Good or Bad
Review: Godzilla against MechaGodzilla, or GxMG is a much better film than GxM[Godzilla vs megaguiras]But is a big disappointment compared to GMK[godzilla mothra king ghidorah giant monsters all out attack]. The main reason for this is that GxMG is not as serious a film as GMK, godzilla 1985 and the japanese version of the original. But effects wise, it isn't bad. Also, this the best Tristar Godzilla DVD release yet because it contains the japanese language and english subs that are a direct translation to the japanese version, unlike previous tristar releases, and this movie needed it bad, because the english dub is horrendous. So the overall DVD is pretty good.

Rating:
Summary: The Latest, Greatest, Defender of Japan
Review: The 4072-member strong Anti-Megalosaurus Force (AMF) was established in 1966 to defend Japan from monsters. Unfortunately, in 1999, when called upon to do just that, the AMF fails miserably (you would have thought that after being established for 33 years, the AMF would have been a lot more effective). The Prime Minister, with the support of the Japanese people, decides to do something about the situation and calls upon the best scientific minds that Japan has to offer, in an attempt to construct a bio-robot...Mechagodzilla (also known as Kiryu), to battle Godzilla.
By recovering an inter-spinal cell from the salvaged skeleton of the Godzilla that nearly destroyed Tokyo in 1954, the team of scientists goes about constructing their mechanical marvel, which is finally completed in 2003 (just in time to defend Japan from Godzilla's latest attack).
The original Mechagodzilla, from the "Terror of Mechagodzilla," was a self-sustaining robot, however this latest version has to be powered and operated by an external group of technicians, including the AC3-White Heron aircraft, which is also responsible for air-lifting Mechagodzilla to its' destination.
While all of this is taking place, a brilliant young MASER operator named Akane (a member of the AMF) struggles to cope with the fact that her actions (or lack thereof), probably caused the death of a number of her colleagues during the 1999 attack by Godzilla. Watch as Akane tries to come to grips with her disposition, while suffering ridicule at the hands of one of her fellow AMF team members. Will she ever be trusted again?? Watch the DVD and find out!!
The special effects in the movie are amazing (I especially enjoyed the smoke trail of the missiles fired by Mechagodzilla) and the CGI images are kept to a minimum (I still prefer the Godzilla characters in the rubber suits).
One of the interesting things about the movie is that we're supposed to believe that Godzilla can be destroyed in a matter of 40 seconds...uhhh...it's not going to happen.
By the way, one of the things I have noticed while having watched Godzilla movies since my youth, is that the Japanese don't use either structural steel nor "re-bar" in their building construction (the buildings fall like a "ton of bricks.")
Once a fan...always a fan of Godzilla!!!

Rating:
Summary: Underrated G Sleeper
Review: GMK got a lot of attention because of the director (Gamera series) So when I decided to catch up on things G on a Friday night, I rented that and this film. Call me crazy but I actually liked this one better. I even thought the effects were better, though it was shot on a lower budget. GMK took itself a bit too seriously, given its silly plot, and I didn't care for the new monster designs. (Except Mothra, which actually approached looking and acting like a moth for a change...) Back to this film...

Japanese kaiju is all about the effects and the fights. It's like Sumo or something, its become a cultural phenomenon I was caught up on since I eas a kid. No, they're not as realistic as well-done CGI but there's something about minatures, puppets, guys in suits that much more entertaining than the computerized stuff. Not to get heady but maybe its why an impressionistic painting of a fruit bowl is more interesting than an ultra-realistic painting of the same still life. Dunno. There will be a new Ultraman series, Ultraman Nexus in Japan. The new producer wanted to bring the sense of wonder back to the series, lost since the show first aired in the 60's. He hired the effects guy from this film to make it happen. I can see why.

Fun, underrated G-Film. Surprising effects. Overshadowed by GMK but I found it to be a better film. And, yes, the plot is contrived and silly, and yes its stupidity is part of the fun.

Rating:
Summary: uh.... my reveiw
Review: this movie starts off with godzilla going around detroying tokyo after 45 years other boring stuff happends then then fbi brings a group of the best sientist to make a mechagodzilla out of the origenal bones of the first godzilla which was killed by the oxagin detroyer other boring stuff happens mecha godzilla is made and godzilla and mechagodzilla fight. godzilla aganist mechagodzilla is so far the best movie of the newest series. Even though the mechagodzilla has been used about 3 times before they still stayed orinal.another good thing about this movie is that the speical effects are surpizingly good for a godzilla movie even the CGI { which is rarly in the movie} also this movie dosent have that much dumb diolog the olny bad thing is that in this film godzillas head is way too little and when there is a strait on camera angle his face looks presed together the same with the new mecha. but the over all film is very entertaing and worth buying or if your not a fan, at least renting

Rating:
Summary: The Rematch of the 21st Century
Review: Godzilla against Mechagodzilla 5 Stars
In 1954, a Godzilla creature arises from the sea and destroys Tokyo, killing millions. Luckily, the creature is killed with a super-weapon called the Oxygen Destroyer.
1961, Mothra attacks Japan. The Japanese retaliate with a heat ray gun.
1967, Gaira strikes and is driven away with newly developed maser-tanks.
1999, a second Godzilla creature attacks Japan, the military is powerless to stop him.
2003, Now. A powerful weapon has been built, a Mechagodzilla code named: Kiryu, to stop Godzilla. When all else fails, will it be enough to stop the King of the Monsters?
An action filled ride. Excellent special effects and monster battles. A good story, above normal performances, and excellent pacing.

(Warning: Spoilers)
While one might have the opinion that this lacks the sheer audacity of Masaaki Tezuka's previous work. Godzilla Vs. Megaguirus is, on it's own, an excellent addition to the Millennium series.
It certainly does have one of Godzilla's absolute best beginnings. Godzilla rising out of the sea, black as the night sky, walking through everything in his path, not paying any attention to all the weaponry being used against him.
Some people found the scenes where Godzilla simply stands there and takes all the artillery fake and annoying, personally I was of the opinion it was a testament to his invincibility & 'bravado.'
The sheer supernatural intelligence Godzilla displays as he `defeats' the maser tank, is great.
The heroine is interesting and played with real ability by the actress.
The scientist and his daughter is nothing new, but they form the triangle with the woman very well.
Kumi Mizuno is a welcome addition. The Prime Minister and the officer in charge of Kiryu add true authority to the leadership side of things.
The special effects and special camera shots are all done very well and no wires or other effects are visible. A definite improvement.
Mechagodzilla's newest design is great, giving the robot new power and beauty all at the same time.
The fight scenes are excellent clashes of power, featuring some great moments and the ending is perfect.
The music actually seems to have improved since Megaguirus, especially Godzilla's theme and the other themes are all very well done.
As others have noted, the fight scenes seem to mimic King Kong Vs. Godzilla. Mechagodzilla being flown in by aircraft is one example. One opponent walking away after being blasted with ray breath, the use of electricity, Godzilla being picked up and thrown by his tail, and the draw ending, with the two opponents hitting the water are others. Finally, the shot of Godzilla walking into the ocean away from the camera.
However, it also mimics Kong Vs. Godzilla in another non-flattering way. One of the costumes seems below par and unfortunately it's Godzilla's this time. While any Godzilla costume that looks like Godzilla is great, this suit seems to be the least of the entire millennium series. Let's face it, nobody was going to reuse the GMK Godzilla costume, nobody could see that Godzilla as a good guy anyway. However, this suit lacks any of the personality of that suit or the G-2000 suit. The G-2000 was quite possibly the best Godzilla suit of modern times, it seems incomprehensible to replace it.
The head is too small and lacks any expression whatsoever. The eyes are too big and fake looking when wide open. Even during the fight scene, Godzilla seems to hold his own, but on the whole it seems to be Mechagodzilla. In G. Vs. Megaguirus, Godzilla displayed real intelligence, real fighting ability. Here, it's a wonder this Godzilla didn't lose.
Of course this movie cannot be fully judged until it's follow up: Godzilla, Mechagodzilla, Mothra: Tokyo S.O.S. is released. Hopefully, all the problems (all of which are matters of opinion), will be remedied in that.
To sum up this movie, it's still great and still worth buying, just like any other Godzilla movie.