Godzilla VS Megaguirus (2000)
Produced and Released by: Toho Co. Ltd.
Director: Masaaki Tezuka
By Dr Kain

Introduction

Toho resurrected Godzilla in 1999 with Godzilla 2000 Millennium. This movie introduced a new monster by the name of Orga. In December of 2000, Godzilla x Megaguirus was released and featured a dragonfly-like monster named Megaguirus, who was a giant Meganulon, an insect that is said to have existed during pre-historic Earth

The Story

Godzilla attacked Japan in 1954 before he was supposedly killed, but attacked again in 1966. A new energy source called Plasma Energy was developed and in 1996 Godzilla arose once again and trampled Osaka, which was the city the Plasma Energy was being stored in. While trying to stop Godzilla, Kiriko Tsujimori’s (Misato Tanaka) fiancé/commander was killed.

It is now 1999 and the threat of Godzilla has returned. This time the Japanese have prepared with a group called the G-Graspers, who are to search for and study Godzilla, and also to protect the population if Godzilla strikes again. Hajime Kudo (Shosuke Tanihara) is an expert in nano-technology, who is asked to help out in building a device which that can shoot an energy beam capable of creating a black hole, the only thing that is believed to be powerful enough to put an end to Godzilla.

Soon after this black hole machine (Dimension Tide) is completed, it it's tested successfully on an abandoned building. From that point on eggs are found all over Japan, which contain the Meganulon, who eventually evolve into Meganula and awaken their mother/father Megaguirus.

Review

Godzilla x Megaguirus (GxM) introduced old elements from previous Godzilla movies, along with new ones like Godzilla doing a belly flop. It is also the first movie to have a female composer, Michiru Oshima, who did an excellent job with the soundtrack. Her Godzilla theme was very catchy and fit the mood perfectly. Akira Ifukube’s Godzilla theme was also used once or twice during the movie, which was a nice addition as well. The director was Masaaki Tezuka, and he, along with Oshima, also returned for the previous two MechaGodzilla movies, so if you have seen GxM or GMMG, you will most likely enjoy this one, or vice versa.

The monster action is really great, but there was some confusion with those who saw the original flyer for this movie, like me, because it shows Godzilla fighting Megaguirus in the middle of the flooded city at night, but they only fight each other during the day. Whether that was just shot for the flyer or footage they edited out is unknown.

As for the characters themselves, I liked some, and hated some. The only thing I did not care for were the G-Graspers’ helmets and the Gryphon. The helmets were way too big for the characters' heads and the Gryphon looked a little unrealistic at times. Regardless, this is a great movie, and was even more enjoyable than Godzilla 2000 Millennium.

Conclusion

I enjoy almost every Godzilla movie, especially from the newest bunch of movies, so this one was no contest. I saw this before GMK and it was one of my top favorites. For those interested in seeing GxM, there is good news, but there is also bad news. Sony just released this movie on DVD containing both the English Dubbed and the original Japanese language track, but the bad news is it contains Dubtitles, meaning the subs contain what is said in the English dialog rather than actual translations. There is one part, where you here “Search, Study, Shelter” in Japanese, but the subs say “Search, Study, and Statistics.” There is also a line saying “What do you need to work out for when you are going to send Godzilla up his own butt hole?,” even though you hear the word black hole. This is definitely not a DVD you want to use to learn Japanese. Either way if you haven’t seen this movie yet, Sony’s DVD is the best way to do so. I give it a 4/5 stars.

Dr Kain