Film Review: Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (dir by Jun Fukuda)

The Godzilla marathon on Chiller is continuing. Immediately following Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah, we were treated to the 14th film in the Godzilla franchise, 1974’s Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

There’s no way that I can start this review without pointing out a mistake made by Chiller. In both the programming guide and at the start and end of each commercial break, Chiller insisted that they were showing a film from 2002 called Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla. However, from the minute the film started, it was obvious that we were watching something from the 70s. Between the jazzy score and unfortunate male hair choices, this film was so 70s that it might as well have been snorting coke and listening to progressive rock. Mind you, that’s not a complaint on my part. In general, films from the 70s are a lot of fun.

And that’s a pretty good description of Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla. It’s a fun movie, especially if you’re watching it with a group of snarky friends. Some movies were specifically made to be watched with a group and Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is one of those films.

When, in Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Godzilla emerges from Mt. Fuji, he is greeted by his armadillo friend from Godzilla vs. Gigan. Godzilla reacts by savagely attacking his armadillo friend. “No,” I shouted at the TV, “bad Godzilla!” Seriously, it may just be because I live in Texas and I always feel bad whenever I see one of his relatives laying dead in the middle of the street but I love that giant armadillo!

Anyway, Godzilla decides to live up to his new identity as Jerkzilla by going on yet another rampage through Japan. Suddenly, Jerkzilla is confronted by … Godzilla! That’s right, it turns out that Jerkzilla isn’t Godzilla at all. Instead, he’s a giant robot named Mechagodzilla!

Mechagodzilla!

As you may have guessed, the blame all lies with aliens. In Godzilla Vs. Gigan, the trouble was the result of intergalactic cockroaches that had taken on human form. In Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, the villains are space monkeys who have taken on human form. And I do have to say — and I mean no offense to the space cockroaches — but the space monkeys seem to have a much better shot at conquering the planet than those roaches ever did.

However, Mechagodzilla is not the only new monster to be found in this movie. There’s also King Caesar, an ancient creature who, if you believe prophecy, is destined to rise out of the mountains. (And, as we all know, one of the first rules of cinema is that prophecy always comes true!) Through the efforts of a group of typical Godzilla movie humans, King Caesar does wake up. Will he work with Godzilla or Mechagodzilla?

King Caesar

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla is a strange one and, judging from some of the comments that I’ve read online, that’s exactly why it’s a personal favorite of a lot of Godzilla fans. Myself, I enjoyed it. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it to anyone who isn’t already a fan of the franchise but those of you who enjoy a good Godzilla movie will find a lot to appreciate here. The monsters are silly but charming, the story moves quickly, and the film even has a big musical number for no particular reason.

Seriously, is a world that can’t appreciate a big robot Godzilla a world that any of us want to live in?

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