Godzilla Raids Again
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Movie Reviews of Godzilla Raids Again
Movie Review: A Transition Flick for the Big Lizard
Summary: 3 Stars
If you watch "Gojira" the first movie featuring Godzilla, it's a much different film from most of the usual entries in this long running series. Instead of a monster smackdown where most of Tokyo gets destoryed, "Gojira" is a dark and sombre film showcasing the fears of the atomic age.
"Godzilla Raids Again", the direct sequel to "Gojira" starts to take the series in a new direction. Godzilla comes back to Japan, this time accompanied by another large monster, Angilus. Kind of porcupine-like thing, walking on all fours and featuring a turtle-like shell covered in spikes. While these two begin slapping each other around Osaka, lots of fireballs erupt and miniatures get destroyed. "Raids Again" features a lighter tone than the first film and gives Godzilla (called Gigantus throughout this film though) a large adversary to fight..a keystone to almost all future entries in the series.
"Raids Again" is a fun movie, that begins setting the tone for what is to come later in the series. One of the highlights of this film for me is the relationship between the two pilots, Shoichi Tsukioka and Koji Kobayashi. The two friends, both working for the same fishery, find themselves caught in the middle of the Godzilla madness. Their relationship as things unfold is one of the more entertaining aspects of the film, specifically the comic relief provided by Kobayashi.
I think the reason this is the "forgotten" Godzilla film is that it's probably has the most limited appeal to a Godzilla audience. Too serious a tone from the later entries in the series, but a much lighter tone than the first film. Add in that it's a black and white film, and you'll eliminate a good many folks as well.
Still, I've always enjoyed this film and think it's well worth adding to your collection.
Movie Review: A Weak Entry, But Historical None-the-less
Summary: 3 Stars
After the original movie that started the phenomenon, this movie was pretty much a disappointment. I have been waiting so long to see this movie since it never airs in the US and has never been released on DVD here. Sadly, I can see why this is never on TV, it lacks everything that the first movie had-including a deep storyline.
A man crashes on an island and is rescued, only to see Anguirus and Godzilla fighting for no real reason. The two go home and are followed by Godzilla and Anguirus to Japan, and the government tries to figure out a way to get rid of the two as they take their fight to the streets of the country. That is the major plot of the film, but that part of the story happens way too soon and the battle between the two monsters ends in the middle of the film and afterwards is just kind of dull. The battle between Anguirus and Godzilla was mediocre at best and nothing compared to the memorable fights such as Godzilla vs. Mothra or King Kong. The rest of the story is about the people trying to figure out a way to get rid of Godzilla and none of that is interesting.
I give this film three stars for a few reasons, mainly being because this is the first movie to feature another monster in a Godzilla film. It may not be an exciting battle between the two, but it is historical since Godzilla finally had an enemy of his own size and was copied by every other monster movie to come afterwards. All of that is worth a star alone, but if not for that, this would get a two star rating for sure. I've been a fan of Godzilla since 1985, and I have to say that this was one of the worst sequels compared to the others. Watch it and you will agree. It was huge in its time, but it just doesn't compare to some of the later movies in the series.
Movie Review: Oh, Banana Oil!
Summary: 3 Stars
Once Toho Co., Ltd. realized that the big fire-spitting, charcoal-gray lizard was a major box office draw, audiences didn't have to wait long for the follow up. Godzilla Raids Again followed a year later in 1955 and features a new monster, Angurius, a porcupine-like beast and Godzilla's first foe. Godzilla Raids Again is the first of a neverending series of sequels and the only sequel to be filmed in glorious black and white.
As with most sequels, Godzilla Raids Again is not nearly as great a film as it's predecessor. Ishiro Hondo could not return to direct and composer Akira Ikufube was working on another film. With a different director and composer, Godzilla Raids Again has a less serious mood than the first film and has a more action/adventure tone. With few exceptions, this would be the template for all subsequent Godzilla films.
For some silly reason, when Godzilla Raids Again was released in the US in 1959, it was renamed Gigantis: The Fire Monster. Godzilla was redubbed Gigantis and his roar was even changed to sound like Angurius' roar! Numerous other changes were made, making the film, to put it kindly, a bit of a mess. The original Japanese version and the US Gigantis: The Fire Monster (retitled back to Godzilla Raids Again, but with no other corrections) are included in this set. After this film, Godzilla hibernated for 7 years and returned in one Toho's most famous monster battles.
Movie Review: Japanese version much better than American
Summary: 3 Stars
I got this DVD as part of the Godzilla collection, and I was so happy that they included the original Japanese release with English subtitles. I had the American version on VHS and never really liked it. The American version mutilated the monster sounds by having Godzilla (which was renamed Gigantis, dumb!) sound like Angalus and vice versa. They also striped some of the music. The Japanese version has the sounds correct. I did find it unusual that the fight scenes where fast action, as opposed to the slower action in all the other Godzilla movies. It's not one of my favorites, but it's OK. The soundtrack isn't as good as the other movies and I think it's the lamest Godzilla suit in the early years. The subtitle have some minor translation errors, but it I got a kick out of it.Movie Review: GREAT TO SEE THIS RARELY SEEN SEQUEL!
Summary: 3 Stars
I had not seen this movie for at least 30 years! It is great that we are seeing the releases of all the old classic Toho films, but I wish they had the respect for the films that the fans have. This print should have been restored and from the look of the package you would think it is.
It's not that it is a really bad print, but if you are going to release these old favorites in nice packaging and put extras on the DVD then restore the prints! I'm glad to have it, but it should have been better!