Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla 2002

The next film in the series is Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. I have seen this title written out different ways. We already had Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla in 1974 and Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla II in 1993. This movie is generally written out as Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla or Godzilla X. Mechagodzilla, or simply, Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla III. Yes, sometimes the US titles of Godzilla movies can be confusing. Like all other Millennium Series films this movie does not have any connection to either the previous Millennium Series films or the Showa Era or the Heisei Era or the other Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla films.

Synopsis:

Like other Millennium Series Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla recreates Godzilla’s origins and only the 1954 movie has relevance to this film. The film also depicts that Japan had also been attacked by other giant monsters such as Mothra and Gaira (the monster from the film, War of the Gargantuas). The movie also has a sense of deja vu. The plot echoes some of the elements in Godzilla vs Megagurius. Both of these movies begin with a female military soldier who causes the death of her commander and spends the rest of the movie mourning the loss and trying to make amends where she can.

The female soldier,  Lieutenant Akane Yashiro, a mazer technician, is transferred to another job and all the blame for the failure to kill Godzilla is placed on her. The government has also found the bones of the first Godzilla and decides to construct a weapon around the bones of Godzilla. A widowed scientist with a young daughter, Tokumitsu and Sara, befriends Akane and helps her though her grief. Although a bit older he is attracted to her. A giant robotic Godzilla is built around the bones of the original Godzilla. In the center of his chest is a weapon, called absolute Zero, which instantly freezes things to absolute zero.

Godzilla once again rises from the ocean to bring destruction to Japan. Mechagodzilla, now called Kiyru, is brought to confront Godzilla. Just as Kiyru is about to fire the Absolute Zero weapon, Godzilla roars which awakens the DNA in his bones resulting in Kiyru going crazy and destroying most of the city until it runs out of power. The rest of the plot is basic and simple. Tokumitsu and Sara keep trying to help Lieutenant Akane and get Kiyru fixed so it will not run amok once again. When Godzilla attacks once again Kiyru is battered which allows  Lieutenant Akane to take personal control of Kiyru in beating Godzilla. The movie ends with Kiyru flying off to the ocean and dumping a defeated Godzilla.  Lieutenant Akane climbs out onto the shoulder of Kiyru as Godzilla swims into the sun-set. An after the credit scene shows that  Lieutenant Akane agrees to have dinner with Tokumitsu and Sara.

Review: Although I do enjoy this film it isn’t my favorite of the Millennium series. This movie does take creative license with the origins of Godzilla’s bones. In the 1954 Godzilla movie he is seen being eaten alive by the Oxygen Destroyer…bones and all. In this movie that scene is recreated but this time all that is left of Godzilla is his bones. For me the fact that they had to build Mechagodzilla around the bones of the original is a bit silly. For the first time in franchise history Mechagodzilla is given a name, Kiyru, and that also seems a bit silly to me. The reasons for naming him Kiyru are never explained. Another strange occurrence in the movie is that when Godzilla faces off against Kiyru for the first time and Kiyru bombards Godzilla with his weaponry…Godzilla just stands there doing nothing!!

Now for the positive aspects. Although the grieving soldier mourns the death of her commander and tries to redeem herself was already done, I actually like the way it was handled in this movie. She really is hurting and despondent and it really made me want to root for her. The relationship between Lieutenant Akane and the scientists Tokumitsu and his daughter Sara, is touching, awkward and humorous all at once. This is one of the human stories in the Godzilla franchise that I really enjoy.

Godzilla has been redesigned once again. The Godzilla suit we saw for Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack was never, or so far, has never been used again. In this movie the suit is very similar to the one used in Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla vs Megaguirus. One major difference is that the colors have changed. He is back to his more charcoal gray color with silvery spines. The special effects of this movie are well done and from the beginning when we see Godzilla rise from the ocean in a Typhoon you know your eyes are in for a good treat with this movie.

The next Godzilla movie will be a direct sequel to this film and it will be the only movie sequel in the Millennium Series.

I rate this movie: B+