Since then, the Big G has gone on the warpath against the good citizens of Japan
in a monster film series that spanned the decades from the 1950s to the early
twenty first century. Over the years, Godzilla had even switched sides and
fought for the preservation of Japan, as well as the entire planet earth itself,
against such menaces as other really big monsters and some pretty nasty aliens
in funky outfits.
However, "Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack",
the most recent Toho production to hit these shores, completely ignores this
vast cinematic legacy by being a direct sequel to the very first Godzilla film.
All of the big monster battles, the massive
destruction--and even Godzilla Jr.--have been wiped out in favor of a clean slate.
According to "Attack", no big rubber monsters have assaulted Japan since
Godzilla's first appearance in 1954.
The new film does make a sly reference to the 1998 American remake of
"Godzilla". In the opening scene, at a staff meeting of Japanese naval officers,
there is mention of how a large monster had attacked New York City a few years
ago. The Americans believed the creature to be Godzilla.
"But our guys here have some doubts," one of the naval officers says. This line
echoes the feeling of many fans worldwide that the 1998 film was a misguided effort
that had nothing to do with the Godzilla mythology.
The real Godzilla returns to terrorize Japan soon enough. After discovering the
half-eaten wreckage of an American nuclear submarine on the bottom of the ocean
with claw marks in its sides, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces go to full alert.
Although the military is primed and ready for round two with the Big G, the
politicians--as well as most modern day Japanese--are reluctant to believe that
Godzilla is on the prowl once more. The younger generations consider Godzilla
as being nothing more than a myth. In fact, a major theme of "Attack" is the
danger of how people forget the past because it is too painful to remember.
Because of this, a mystic old man warns, Godzilla has returned to destroy
Japan to avenge the souls of those lost in the Pacific theater of the Second
World War. However there is hope, in the form of the three Holy Beasts of
Yamato: King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Baragon. These three ancient protectors
are also back, and ready to rumble!
Despite all of the philosophical underpinnings, "Attack" does get down to
business in a big way. The battle scenes are big, spectacular and should easily
satisfy fans of this stuff. The effects are impressive, such as when Godzilla
unleashes his patented flame breath, and causes mini-atom bomb blasts that
effectively wipe out all air, ground and naval forces. The shots of Godzilla and
his brethren fighting through the Japanese countryside and cities are far more
realistic than in earlier films.
The only major letdown for me was the sight of
Baragon, a ridiculous, goofy-eyed, floppy-eared monstrosity that looks like it
wandered off the set of the Teletubbies (upon seeing Baragon for the first time,
a woman remarks, "It's enormous! But quite cute, actually!"). What were the
filmmakers thinking? Especially after seeing how they took such pains to give
more realistic redesigns to Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah (Godzilla's blank
white eyes is an especially creepy touch; it gives the Big G more of a soulless,
evil appearance), Baragon seems completely out of place in this film.
Nevertheless, despite some silliness (and a really long title) "Godzilla,
Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack", is a fun, enjoyable
film. There's the usual excellent special effects, along with the requisite
perky young lead heroine, who really doesn't have much effect on the colossal
events being played out before her. But then, the humans are not the reason we
watch these Godzilla films, anyway.--SF