TALKBACK #15: Terror of Mechagodzilla

[jellydonut25]

Yeah it SHOULD be more the mind-control thing that gets people up-in-arms...but apparently, just claiming there's a dinosaur is enough to cause angry mobs.

[davezilla]

I just watched the original Japanese version again tonight and this still remains one of my favorite Godzilla films. I can't help it but all the 70s G movies hold a special place in my heart. I love Titanosaurus. He remains one of my top 5 kaiju. The one thing I noticed still watching this movie is that even in the Japanese version the editing seems really bad (especially in the fight scenes). One minute Godzilla is charging Mechagodzilla and tossing Titanosaurus aside and literally the next shot shows Titanosaurus kicking Godzilla in the head and setting him up to be blasted by MG. Am I missing something here? I wonder if there is still deleted fight footage.

Am I the only one who feels bad for Titanosaurus at the end?

[Jorzilla]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but was it intentional to make Titanosaurus parallel the original Godzilla?

Both monsters are initially mysterious, attacking a boat (or submarine). They are initially contentious in the scientific community. They have scientists that have a vested interest in them (Yamane, vs. Mafune). They attack Tokyo. They are aquatic, misunderstood, etc.

[XvGojira]

[jellydonut25]

I would say (based on nothing really) that any parallels between Titanosaurus and Godzilla are coincidental

[Hybrid Gojira]

[Rodanex]

I just re-watched this movie last week....still one of my favorites.

I might have mentioned this before, but the scene where they show the aliens saving Katsura's life has always confused me. They flashback to years earlier when Katsura is accidentally electrocuted during a lab accident. Then the Black Hole aliens immediately enter the room, already dressed in surgical garb, and take her away. Mifune says "Who are you?", so he clearly has not met them before.

Were the aliens just hanging outside their door, waiting for the off chance that Katsura got electrocuted so they could save her? Did they cause the accident, knowing that if they saved his daughter, they could enlist Mifune's help? Is that why they were so quick to get there?

The only interpretation of the scene that makes sense to me, is that the flashback is intentionally surreal. It's not literally how things happened, it's just the way Katsura is remembering it. Maybe in real life, Katsura was severely injured and taken to hospital, where she lay comatose for days/weeks. The aliens learned of what happened and decided to intervene. From Katsura's perspective, all she remembers is blacking out and then waking up surrounded by the black hole aliens.

[klen7]

i've been meaning to rewatch this, but I am really hoping its one of the Pickwick films at G-Fest this year, and i'd rather go into that screening a bit fresh.

[Gojilove]

[kiryugoji04]

We rewatched this last night as part of Inui Takumi's continuing education. I don't think it'll ever be one of my absolute favorites but I will say that it grows on me more and more with each and every viewing. The miniature city sets are especially nice here.

[Russzilla]

^I especially love the set scenes where Mechagodzilla is blowing Tokyo to pieces. Very well done.

[tbeasley]

This movie's grungy, mid 70s feel has really grown on me the last few time I've watched it. Honda's melancholy tone really sums up his style in comparison to Fukuda's jazzy, energetic vibe in the previous movie. They're perfect companion pieces in a way and I'm finding it hard to prefer one over the other, it really depends on what mood I'm in.

[Giganfan]

[Shanai]

[Hybrid Gojira]

I managed to watch both Showa MechaGodzilla films tonight.

Terror of MG was my favorite G film as a kid. I first saw it during TNT's Memorial Day (or was it President's Day?) Godzilla marathon. This movie starkly contrasts with GvsMG. One is bright and colorful; the other is dark and tragic. Both films have strengths, but I prefer ToMG because of the monster action. Titanosaurus is also light years better than King Seesar. Nakano's effects for this film are also better - some of the matte shots are splendid (tho some are quite bad...Titanosaurus stepping on the poor "Kennies", anyone?). MechaGodzilla's city rampage and subsequent attack on Godzilla as he crosses the battlefield are truly some of the best kaiju action scenes ever filmed. Godzilla and Titanosaurus has tons of personality in this film, and I really dig this G design.

The characters are ok. Mafune is a one trick pony - he cares about his daughter and revenge, plus Titanosaurus. That's about it. Katsura is extremely cold in this film; later she comes to her senses but by that time she is about to meet her tragic end. Mugal is a great villain. He is truly cruel, ordering the executions of his own men for failure.

The sheer amount of death and violence in this film is staggering for a Godzilla movie. People have their throats cut to keep them from talking, one guy is brutally gunned down after escaping the aliens' base, Mugal orders executions of his own men AFTER whipping them, many of the main characters die. Even with good triumphing over evil, there is a huge sense of loss at the end of the film. Godzilla swims away victorious, but the human characters are left with a mess, especially Ichinose.

What I love about this movie are the kaiju. Godzilla and Titanosaurus have an entertaining battle that is uniquely filmed from low angles and from behind a few sprawling city shots. They punch and kick and MG annihilates entire city blocks with one attack. The explosions are truly a sight to behold. Overall, this film is very solid and one of the better Showa entries and certainly a top tier G film. It does have some issues, but the monster action pushes it over the top for me.

[jellydonut25]

I've always found this movie a bit too insistently depressing. It's like it's trying too hard to be dour. The ending cue though definitely legit gets me just about every time. It's a reminder that this is the end of the original Godzilla series, and nothing would ever quite feel the same about the movies again.

[Hybrid Gojira]

Yeah, there is nothing to really cushion the blow. No comedic relief, no goofy character - everything is straightforward and certainly ends up being quite tragic by closure of the film. The ending cue is pretty great. The monsters are the best part of the movie. Godzilla is truly heroic. He shows up just to defeat Titanosaurus and the performance in this film by the suit actor is full of life and energy. About the only goofy moments are when the monsters fight - i.e. Godzilla dusting himself off after being buried. Titanosaurus is wonderfully executed and frankly one of my favorite Toho kaiju. From the moment he comes on the screen he is full of personailty. The effects work here are top notch most of the time - the sets are gorgeous and the explosions are massive. MechaGodzilla's assault on Godzilla is truly amazing. The storyline works well enough that the monsters can carry it. This film is still in my top 5, maybe top 3.

[mr.negativity]

[Gman2887]

[Jared]

^Great article.

[Dr Kain]

Am I going nuts, or was the dub that was on VHS missing the scene where Katsura shot herself?

I looked on the DVD from CM but the dub has that scene on it. I could have sworn the dub stopped showing them right after Ichinose told her he will love her no matter what.

[Shin_Edda_Robo!!!!!]

[Dr Kain]

[Psycho Soldier]

Watched this earlier tonight. It's not my 4th-favourite Godzilla movie (despite what the preference sorter told me last year), but I might still put it in my top 10. Had a few random thoughts along the way:

+ I don't know why the sea flashes whenever Titanosaurus surfaces, but it's a neat effect - which is all the explanation I need.

+ I prefer the US cut of the scene where the kids approach Titanosaurus. The blue screen effects of him chasing and stomping them are pretty shoddy, and you get the point from the US cut anyway.

+ Where's the housekeeper parked where he can watch Katsura and Ichinose? The movie starts cutting to him peering out of his car before those two approach the railing outside. Even after that, I didn't get a good sense of where his car is supposed to be.

+ The final fight is in serious need of reediting, not to mention of extra footage. How Godzilla goes from holding his own to losing so suddenly isn't clear. Also, I'm trying to decide if T'saurus bouncing on Godzilla's grave is funny, menacing, or both. Leaning toward both.

+ The contrast between the '70s tokusatsu aesthetic and the brooding script is a little shaky at times, but it works well overall. Without the alien outfits and the wire effects during the final fight, the film might have worked somewhat better. I don't mind the villains being cartoonish in principle. On the other hand, the constant evil laughter and Mafune's behaviour are hard to take at times.

+ Barring the opening credits, Godzilla doesn't show up until the 45-minute mark, and MG doesn't become active until the 56-minute mark. I didn't really care until I looked at the time in my media player. I still don't mind now. Just thought the timing was interesting.

[Shin_Edda_Robo!!!!!]