GODZILLA VS. MEGALON Appreciation Thread

[Tiny Gigan]

Megalon was the first Godzilla movie I ever owned as a kid, so I've got a permanent soft spot for it. It was also the first time I ever saw Gigan outside of the Godzilla NES game, and as a 7 year-old I was freakin' awestruck.

Seriously though, Megalon is one of the rare films whose flaws somehow manage to make it more lovable rather than detract from it.

[Giganfan]

Jellydonut25, I have no problem with your assessment of Godzilla Raids Again. The film is pretty dull, in either version. But I actually watched it a few days ago, and I found myself saying "this film has some of the best monster sequences ever!" Seriously, if there is one thing that is truly remarkable about Gigantis (either version will suffice), its' that Trsuburay and his crew did an impressive job. Even if the effects aren't all perfect, I feel that the monsters and their mayhem were beautifully realized in this film.

Godzilla vs. Gigan was really producer, Tanka's film when you think about it. He wanted a more traditonal Godzilla movie after the very surreal Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster, and he probably couldn't lure Ishiro Honda back to direct it. So, he went for the next best option, which was Jun Fukuda, who I think does an admirable job. Admittedly, the script is long and somewhat tedious, and the stock footage leaves little room for Teruyoshi Nakano to show his true potential, but on the whole, I like Godzilla vs. Gigan is a fair entry in the series. I mean, not only do we have Godzilla and Gigan, but there's Angilas and King Ghidorah (who looks like crap, sure, but still) too!

But anyway, yeah, Megalon is one helluva trip! I've never tired from watching it. That's not to say I watch it all the time, but in healthy moderation.

[ryuuseipro]

[king_ghidorah]

[Gabbara Davis, Jr.]

[Gabbara Davis, Jr.]

[swfreakjpb]

[The Dark Uniter]

While I may hate Godzilla vs Gigan, I dunno why but I love Godzilla vs Megalon. Its so much fun. The flying kick is the best scene ever.

[walshiam]

[king_ghidorah]

[The Dark Uniter]

[Legion]

The best part of the whole movie is when Godzilla and Jet Jaguar escape from the ring of fire and Megalon throws his arms out in a hilarious "What the ****?!" gesture.

[Rodanex]

[MekaGojira3k]

[Green Dragon]

I don't have this on DVD, and have pretty much avoided it, but I am willing to give it an honest attempt to watch it.

I've never cared for Jet Jaguar or the low, LOW budget look of any of it. And have really only ever seen the faded 2nd and 3rd generation prints of it. I did see something at youtube recently that looked MUCH more colorful than I ever recall, so I know a decent print of it may make a huge difference.

SO....Is there an acceptable domestically released DVD of this, or am I better off just getting a Japanese copy?

(I had a terrible VHS from Crown Books of this, bought in the 80's.... and it was downright unwatchable. I did have the MST3K version as well, but with that, those terrible prints enhanced that whole experience.)

[ryuuseipro]

[KaiserGhidorah]

[MrShape666]

I can't seem to find this film in ANY version except included in a very pricey box in which this is the only movie I don't have.

This is another of those movies that I like depending on my mood, much like the bulk of the Yuasa Gamera movies. For whatever reasons, I enjoy this film a lot more then Godzilla Vs. Hedorah.

[MekaGojira3k]

[The Giant Pacific Octopus]

[MrShape666]

[jellydonut25]

[edgodzi]

[Tyler E. Martin]

[walshiam]