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Different from most Godzilla films, but very interesting, in my opinion. Far from the worst Godzilla film (with the exception of the part where Godzilla uses his breath to fly, THAT was pretty ridiculous). DVD is of great quality featuring both the Japanese language (with English subtitles if needed) and English language. The only Godzilla DVDs released in a more superior quality thus far are the DVDs of the Toho Master collection. But these DVDs are just fine and in a close 2nd place in terms of best quality English Godzilla DVD releases.
Ok, so let's talk about what makes this movie so great...well for starters the special effects are just awesome in this release. While they're not up to today's standards, they're still good enough to get the job done. Secondly, Hedorah (aka The Smog Monster) is a unique and awesome monster. The special effects put into his design and look alone really close the deal on this film. The fight scenes are dramatic and simply put, great. Godzilla really takes a beating in this film from Hedorah, which almost makes you wonder...is he going to win this one? If you're a Godzilla fan looking for great action, some decent special effects and a unique story/presentation, then you'll eat this film up...so get it! Now let's talk some downsides. Well, for starters, one of the main characters is a Godzilla obsessed young boy. If you can get past his really high shorts with suspenders and his quirky behavior, then you'll do just fine. Also, this movie is very much part of "hippy" culture. The music is clearly a staple from the 70s and disco era...and Godzilla's theme in this one is rather over the top. The last bad thing about this movie is one of the closing scenes. All I will say is that Godzilla flys. I will not tell you how he flys, why he flys, etc. It's something you just have to see for yourself without being told about it beforehand. It really takes a great movie and closes it with a joke, so to speak. It's quite laughable and it's a shame, because this movie is simply awesome. I've been a long time Godzilla fan - since I was about 7 - and this is one of my top 5 movies in the Godzilla series. All fans will love this movie (once you get past those tight shorts with suspenders). It's Godzilla with an Earth friendly message, but the film is really cool. Not to mention, Hedorah is just an amazing character!Read full review
This film has an original approach that make it seem like it was made as a film school project.The main subject deals mainly with pollution and the youth movement. The movie is written on many levels to try and convey its message, from a school childs homework in one scene, to a drug induced dance club number in another,then finally returning to its roots as monster vs monster camp at the end. The movie is meant to make you think, so it seems a little uneven at times when compared to the other giant monster films in the series. However as stand alone piece of art dealing with a serious subject, the film is worth seeing.
This is one of the "Godzilla saves the world from the bad monster" genre. But the bad monster, in this case, Hedorah, a bad guy formed out of pollution and sludge, is not well conceived and not the least scarey. I'm curious why the Japenese often break into song over monsters. The story is going along and some woman sings what sounds like a bouncy number--during the opening credits, another one halfway through the movie, and another at the end. Give me a break! There is specific music associated with each monster's appearance and movements, and in this movie, Godzilla sounds like a New Orleans funeral lumbering down the street. The spoken English dubs did not match the English subtitles, which I cued up by mistake. (But it was funny to observe the differences. Obviously no one bothered to cross check the translations.) The film's message--it's bad to pollute--doesn't come across as strongly as it could. Maybe the sales pitches are in the songs, which are sung in Japanese without subtitles. The story is choppy and hard to follow, even by Godzilla standards. For example, at one point it looks as if Godzilla has won the fight and he rips some kind of weird egg-like objects out of Hedorah's body. No explanation given--and pretty soon, up pops Hedorah as spry as ever. Very weird. There is a lot to admire and enjoy in many of the Godzilla films, but I really wish I had skipped this one.Read full review
Review of the pictured product. This is the Sony Tri-Star release. I watched in Japanese with English subtitles. Very nice looking print, great sountrack and very readable subtitles. I recommend this version quite a bit. Human polluton acts as catalyst to create outerspace originated life-form that consumes sludge and smoke, grows, and mutates into various iterations (amphibian that can morph into a flying version), exudes toxic sludge and sulpjuric acid. All around nastiness. Plucky boy and his scientist father figure out how to defeat the creature, and with considerable help from Godzilla, and (mostly logistical) help from the Japanese military, and not a small amount of luck, complete that task. Ham fisted, though still relavant, ecological message combined with a fairly high on-screen body count, including that (seemingly) of named cast members, and lots of action between the main opponents, make this is a great movie and a must-have addition to your Godzilla collection.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned