Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

by **Benjamin Haines** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:19 pm

Six pages of people comparing this movie to Mothra vs. Godzilla and Monster Zero... Why? What happened to letting a movie stand on its own feet and judging it that way? Does anyone who watches this film just sit there and mentally compare it to those other two the whole time?

Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster is not Monster Zero. It's not Mothra vs. Godzilla either, nor is it trying to be. It's its own beast, and a damn good one at that.

After King Kong vs. Godzilla showed them how successful bringing two preexisting characters together could be, Mothra vs. Godzilla was Toho's first swing at their own in-house crossover. Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster showcases Toho being even more ambitious; reuniting Godzilla and Mothra, bringing back Rodan after eight years, and even creating a brand new, awe-inspiring kaiju in the form of King Ghidorah.

Unlike the two films its sandwiched between, which are both straightforward in story and tone, Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster is a decidedly 'everything but the kitchen sink' type of G film. I can see how that wouldn't be some people's cup of tea, but I'm a guy who loves Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah and Godzilla: Final Wars. I'm all for the off-the-wall style and mixing of different elements that this movie exhibits.

I think this film, more than any other in the series, succeeds in making lots of wildly fantastical ideas blend organically as a cohesive story. Everything revolves around King Ghidorah. When the meteor containing him enters Earth's atmosphere over Japan, the sight of it triggers a deep-seeded genetic ability for telepathy inside Princess Salno, who we later learn is a descendant of Venusians who fled to Earth when King Ghidorah destroyed their planet. It's the arrival of Ghidorah that keeps the princess from being blown up with her airplane, and the assassins' quest to kill her takes them to Japan. The now-amnesiac princess is being protected by a cop and a reporter, the latter of whom is dating the lead scientist investigating Ghidorah's meteorite. The Venusian princess accurately predicts the return of Rodan and Godzilla, so the Shobijin align themselves with her and our other heroes. It's the Shobijin who come up with the idea of Mothra, Rodan and Godzilla cooperating, and it's ultimately King Ghidorah's maniacal wrath that kills the assassins and inadvertently saves the Venusian princess. Ghidorah flees the planet. The princess regains her memory and returns to her country. The Shobijin go home to Infant Island with Mothra, just as they did at the end of the previous film, only this time they're bidding a friendly sayonara to Rodan and Godzilla.

The story flows so well. Everything comes full circle and it's just beautiful. The cast is great, the special effects are marvelous and the score is wonderful. I wouldn't change a thing about it.

by **kiryugoji04** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:56 pm

HIGH FIVE, BEN.

by **Goji 84** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:08 pm

I don't know that an overly defensive wall of text about why the film is so great was really necessary here. I don't think it's quality has gone over anyone's head. I'm also pretty sure that nobody here said they dislike the film, they're just explaining reasons why they don't enjoy it as much as the films that surround it. That's all.

It's easily one of the absolute best Godzilla films out there, and I think most people in these parts will agree with that, even if it's not a personal favorite.

by **MekaGojira3k** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 12:26 am

by **rockstarbd82** » Mon Dec 26, 2011 5:34 pm

by **jellydonut25** » Mon Dec 26, 2011 5:50 pm

Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

TALKBACK #5: Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster

the dead mothra larva from mothra vs godzilla

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