GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA II sees the Japanese kaiju franchise continuing on a strong footing, with plenty of elements designed to make this a fun instalment in the series. There's Godzilla, back and meaner than ever; Rodan makes a fitting appearance in the film and is the best thing in it; Baby Godzilla appears and overloads the cuteness factor; finally, in Mechagodzilla, we see a human-piloted machine worthy to rival those in PACIFIC RIM.
The storyline is a complex one as ever, although it doesn't quite hang together the way some earlier films did. There's a bit of a moral quandary here over who has the moral high ground, as different parties seem to be good guys and villains at different times, although it all sorts itself out by the end. Needless to say that the production values are strong and the explosive special effects are excellent.
The city-stomping mayhem is present and correct here, but it's the repeated use of lasers and death rays that make this so fun. The film, which came out shortly after JURASSIC PARK, also bears a greater similarity to that movie, with lots of talk about dinosaurs and "65 million years in the making". Even Godzilla is given a more dinosaur-like appearance here. Still, Rodan is my favourite part; even though the script gives him short shrift he makes an indelible appearance in this one.
The storyline is a complex one as ever, although it doesn't quite hang together the way some earlier films did. There's a bit of a moral quandary here over who has the moral high ground, as different parties seem to be good guys and villains at different times, although it all sorts itself out by the end. Needless to say that the production values are strong and the explosive special effects are excellent.
The city-stomping mayhem is present and correct here, but it's the repeated use of lasers and death rays that make this so fun. The film, which came out shortly after JURASSIC PARK, also bears a greater similarity to that movie, with lots of talk about dinosaurs and "65 million years in the making". Even Godzilla is given a more dinosaur-like appearance here. Still, Rodan is my favourite part; even though the script gives him short shrift he makes an indelible appearance in this one.